Kimi Raikkonen will be returning to Formula 1 for the 2012 season after inking a deal with Lotus Renault GP. The former Formula 1 World Champion has spent the last 2 years driving a Citroen in the WRC. In 2010, Kimi drove for the Citroen Junior Team and then took on the 2011 season as a privateer in the new Citroen DS3 WRC cars.
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Volkswagen Motorsports chief Kris Nissen announced today that Sebastien Ogier has been officially signed to drive one of the VW Skoda Fabias in the 2012 WRC season. Ogier will also be participating in world-wide testing of the VW Polo R car throughout 2012. This testing will include an altitude test in Mexico. Nissen said the “misunderstandings with Citroen” this season led to Ogier becoming available and it was Ogier’s decision to approach VW to join the team.

VW called on 2 time world champion Carlos Sainz to close the deal. Sainz was instrumental in VW signing Ogier to head its 2013 WRC campaign. “For me, Sebastien is one of the world’s three best drivers,” said Sainz.
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The updated PAX indexing factors have been release for the 2012 SCCA Solo/Autocross season. 2012 brings a few new classes (STF, STC & SSP) and some movement in other classes that should shake it up a bit. Full Solo PAX/RTP list below:

For historical PAX values visit Rick Ruth’s PAX/RTP page

The SCCA RallyCross National Championships were held in October in Tulsa, OK. This was the first time at Tulsa Raceway Park for the RallyCross National Championships and was a flying success. The event drew exactly 100 competitors the largest number to date, up almost 30% from the previous year. There was a lot of dirt flying all weekend and some great battles down the stretch. GotCone was there capturing all the excitement and even took some video (see below).

Photos from the event can be found in the 2011 SCCA RallyCross National Championships Photo Gallery.

As rumored earlier this week, Mikko Hirvonen will officially be joining 8 time World Champion Sebastien Loeb on the Citroen WRC team for the 2012 season. Hirvonen inked a 2 year deal with the Citroen works team, which will put the top 2 drivers from 2011 on the same team. This is a huge shake up for Citroen and Ford, as Ford will need to scramble to find another driver to replace their former #1 driver.

It is unclear as of now what is the fate of Loeb’s 2011 teammate and fellow countryman Sebastien Ogier. Citroen could move him to a ‘Junior’ team like they have run in the past or Ogier could be making the move to Ford as was originally rumored or possibly a seat on the newly formed Volkswagen team.
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It looks like Citroen and Ford may be making a trade of sorts for the 2012 WRC season. Apparently Sebastien Loeb, fresh off his 8th consecutive championship, mentioned to a journalist at WRC Rally GB that his teammate for 2012 could very well be Mikko Hirvonen. This could also move Loeb’s current teammate Sebastien Ogier to a Ford alongside Jari Matti Latvala. This would definitely be a big shake up in the WRC. It looks like we should be expecting an announcement from Citroen soon.

According to a note on Mikko Hirvonen’s Facebook Fan Page:
“The 2011 season of the WRC and Loeb has just finished celebrating his eighth title of the World Rally Championship. But, is not what we want to talk to you. As reported by Auto123 seems that Sebastien Loeb has revealed to journalists present at the Rally of Wales next year Mikko Hirvonen could be his Citroen teammate.
The exchange may be between Sebastien Ogier and Mikko Hirvonen, and Ogier, Ford and Hirvonen in a Citroen. The official announcement by Citroen should materialize in the coming days.”

Last week I took a trip out to Las Vegas to attend SEMA. SEMA draws some of the auto industry’s best and brightest. I have to admit the amount of cars, displays and exhibits was almost overwhelming. In 2 days, I was not able to see everything and a lot of what I did see was rushed.

One of the highlights of the show the SCION FR-S concept car, which is just a beautiful piece of work. I can’t wait to see the finished version. Some of the specs have leaked online and it should be a great car.
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Photos from the 2011 SCCA TireRack Solo Nationals have been posted in the photo gallery. Photos from nearly every heat are posted and grouped by class. Some of heat 1 on Th./Fr. are missing due to the fact I was competing in the STU prepared GotCone.com BMW 135i.

Photos are $5 for a full resolution digital copy or a photo package can be purchased for $20 which includes full resolution digital of all photos of your car (co-drivers included). Orders will be filled within 24 hours, an email will be sent with your photo (or a link to download photos).

Photos from the 2011 ProSolo Finale are also available.

If you have any questions or special requests please feel free to email me photo@gotcone.com