FIA World Rally: Welcome to the 2000 FIA World Rally Championship
20 January 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
With seven manufacturers entering this year's championship and the new Hyundai Accent replacing Toyota, it is set to be an exciting year. Add to that the expectation of young drivers such as Richard Burns (Subaru) and Marcus Gronhohlm (Peugeot) and the question of whether Tommi Makinen will achieve a 5th consecutive title and it looks like it will a highly competitive year and that can only add to the increasing popularity of world rallying.
Although, in theory there has been a month's break from the championship, neither the drivers nor the teams have stopped. Many of the top drivers competed in the Race of Champions (Canary Islands) and other interesting events and have since tested extensively - particularly as several drivers are now in new cars.
Recently, the new Hyundai Accent was launched at the Autosport show, but won't be making its first appearance until Sweden. Also, Citroen is now set to rejoin the championship in 2001 and will be entering the 4wd Xsara in the European Championship this year with F2 ace Phillipe Bugalski at the wheel.
The first round of the 2000 WRC starts tomorrow in Monte Carlo. Before looking at Monte Carlo information, details on the team and driver line-up for this year are listed below as well as a 2000 WRC Calendar.
Malboro Mitsubishi Ralliart
Car: Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI/Carisma GT
Tyres: Michelin
Drivers 1: Tommi Makinen/Mannisenmaki
Drivers 2: Freddy Loix/Sven Smeets
Obviously being World Champion 4 times in a row means that Tommi is one of the favourites for winning this year and he commented recently that it was hard to remember not having to defend a title! Freddy Loix is looking for a much more successful and confident year and has recently done a lot of testing. While much of the team remains the news is that Mitsubishi are finally developing a World Rally Car, although it hasn't been decided upon what base the car will be developed upon - the existing Lancers are based upon Group A rulings unlike the other WRC manufacturers vehicles.
Ford Martini World Rally Team
Car: Ford Focus WRC
Tyres: Michelin
Drivers 1: Colin McRae/Nicky Grist
Drivers 2: Carlos Sainz/Luis Moya
Much has changed within the Ford camp - Carlos Sainz has moved from Toyota and with him has brought his sponsor Telefonica Movistar, a Spainish mobile phone company and some ley personnel. As a result, the cars Martini design has been adapted. A number of technical changes have also been implemented - there is a new re-profiled front bumper and rear wing, a new turbo and anti-lag system, a revised transmission and of course, for Monte Carlo, a standard water pump. Ford have also moved into new headquarters.
Subaru World Rally Team
Car: Subaru WRC99
Tyres: Pirelli
Drivers 1: Richard Burns/Robert Reid
Drivers 2: Juha Kankkunen/Juha Repo
Richard Burns is largely regarded as a future World Champion and most likely to achieve that in 2000. He enters the 2000 season with back-to-back wins in the final two rounds of the 99 season. Initially, the car remains the same but a new car is expected to be introduced for Portugal, the 4th round of the championship.
Peugeot Sport
Car: Peugeot 206 WRC
Tyres: Michelin
Drivers 1: Francois Delecour/Daniel Grataloup
Drivers 2: Gilles Panizzi/Herve Panizzi
Drivers 3: Marcus Gronholm/Timo.Rantiainen
After using 1999 as an apprenticeship, Peugeot now has the sole goal of the Manufacturers Title. There have been a number a changes since last year - for a start, the car is now metallic grey. Also improvements have been made to the gearbox, clutch and brakes and in April, after a new homologation, changes will be made to the aerodynamic (fin, air extraction from the bonnet) and also the engine, transmission and suspension. Marcus Gronholm is also expected to star this year. As another rising Finn, Gronholm had some spectactular results in 99 and provided the Peugeot is reliable he is expected to rival Richard Burns as a possible World Champion.
Seat Sport
Car: Seat Cordoba WRC E2
Tyres: Pirelli
Drivers 1: Didier Auriol/Denis Giraudet
Drivers 2: Toni Gardmeister/Paavo Lukander
The Seat team display a real mixture of experience and youth. The move from Toyota of Didier Auriol is valuable, as the Cordoba still requires a lot of development to be on the same pace as the other WRC cars. In contrast, 24-year old Toni Gardmeister is simply fast and is also suggested as a future champion.
Hyundai World Rally Team
Car: Hyundai Accent WRC
Tyres: Michelin
Drivers 1: Kenneth Eriksson/Staffan Parmander
Drivers 2: Alister McRae/David Senior
The new Accent was recently launched at the Autosport show in Birmingham and is now silver with the green and red colours of new major sponsor Castrol. Hyundai won't be competing in Monte Carlo and is testing in Sweden in preparation for the Swedish Rally in February. Top Australian driver will also be driving for Hyundai and will compete in 3 rounds in the F2 car and in 3 with the Accent.
Skoda Motorsport
Car: Skoda Octavia WRC
Tyres: Michelin
Drivers 1: Armin Schwarz/Manfred Hiemer
Drivers 2: Luis Climent/Alex Romani
The biggest change for Skoda is the inclusion of 1999 Teams Cup winner, Luis Climent. While still on a big learning curve, Skoda aim to finish in the top 10 and score points when the opportunities arise. Skoda will compete in eight events this year, including Kenya where they have not competed before and this is with the view of competing in the full championship in 2001.
2000 WRC Calendar
19 Jan - 23 Jan Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo 2000
09 Feb - 13 Feb The International Swedish Rally
24 Feb - 27 Feb Safari Rally Kenya
15 Mar - 19 Mar TAP Rallye De Portugal
29 Mar - 02 Apr Rallye Catalunya Costa Brava - Rallye De Espana
10 May - 14 May Rally De Argentina
07 Jun - 11 Jun Acropolis Rally
12 Jul - 16 Jul Rally New Zealand
16 Aug - 20 Aug Neste Rally Finaland
06 Sep - 10 Sep 555 China Rally
27 Sep - 01 Oct V-Rally Tour De Corse/Rallye De France
11 Oct - 15 Oct Rallye Sanremo-Rallye D'Italie
08 Nov - 12 Nov Telstra Rally Australia
21 Nov - 26 Nov Network Q Rally of Great Britain
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