Ford Reminds Subaru Who's the Rally King . . .

[79-TA]

As you probably know, Subaru withdrew from WRC not so long ago as a result of the financial crisis and years of poor performance (Subaru had not won a WRC rally since 2005.) Nevertheless, Subaru continued to dominate smaller (read: less financially competitive) American rallies as the only substantial factory team.

That is until now. After the Pikes Peak hill climb, Ford decided to throw its new Fiesta rally cars into X Games 15. All three Fiestas went to the semi-finals. Tanner Foust, driving a Fiesta, would have elminated the last non-Ford in the semi-finals, but spun and lost. Kenny Brack, another Fiesta driver, then went on to win in the final round (with the Pastrana driven Subaru giving up the win due to a spin, not unlike Foust)

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2009/08/89570051_opt-1.jpg

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/02/x-games-15-ford-fiesta-kenny-brack-get-the-gold/


Now if only Ford's recent rallying dominance would translate into hot-hatch awd rally-ready cars available in the states.






And yes, I am quite aware that it would be appropriate to call Citroen the real king right now, as they won the last WRC Constructor's title and many more before (Ford won in '06 and '07.) And then of course, Loeb just seems unbeatable in the long run.

[JEFFTATE]

I'd like to have rally-ready style car for a daily driver.
That would be cool.

[DarkBuddha]

I'd like to have rally-ready style car for a daily driver.
That would be cool.

...especially if it is a Ford! I'm still optimistic they'll bring the Focus RS to the states, but I'd totally settle for a rally spec Fiesta.

[Damn True]

Ford is the king? Really?

Perhaps you might have titled this thread; Ford reminds Subaru who is the "Johnny come lately" until the next era of Euro dominance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rally_Championship#Champions

Citroen, Pugeot and Lancia OWN rally, and the X-games hardly qualifies as rally. It's cool. But it isn't rally.

[79-TA]

And yes, I am quite aware that it would be appropriate to call Citroen the real king right now, as they won the last WRC Constructor's title and many more before (Ford won in '06 and '07.) And then of course, Loeb just seems unbeatable in the long run.


end of my original post much?

[6spdmalibu]

That should be the next trend. Pro-rally cars. Can see it now, AWD camaro's with a turbo 4 and six speeds. 50-50 weight distribution f-b, s-s. 12" of suspension travel. With a full roll cage. Now if only there was a tunable transfer case with a hydraulic clutch pack that mates to a t56. Better yet the new 6 spd auto!

[Damn True]

end of my original post much?

More than 3 years of history.....much?

[79-TA]

More than 3 years of history.....much?

Only 3? I'm going to assume you know better than that.





Lancia . . . nice history. I always liked the cheese-shaped cars.

Pugeot . . . doesn't even compete for the constructor's championship and hasn't been a contendor since . . . the days when Subaru was still competitive. This is mostly a result of PSA deciding to only run one of its brands in WRC after having some problems with the 307.

Citroen - mentioned it in the first post and I have no problem calling them the real king.

Oh, and Hirvonen is leading in the points right now. The success of Stobart Ford since 2007, a non-factory team, should say something about the WRC Ford rally cars.

[DarkBuddha]

Ford is the king? Really?

Perhaps you might have titled this thread; Ford reminds Subaru who is the "Johnny come lately" until the next era of Euro dominance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rally_Championship#Champions

Citroen, Pugeot and Lancia OWN rally, and the X-games hardly qualifies as rally. It's cool. But it isn't rally.

Ah ah ah... while certainly Ford and Ford drivers don't hold as many Manufacturer or Drivers Championships, take a look at that wikipedia article at the chart for "Manufacturer Rally Wins". Ford is ranked first, tied with Lancia and way ahead of lots of other manufacturers. I'm not saying Ford is or is not the "king of wrc", but Ford has a long and storied history of success (and failure) in rally. But I would sure be glad to see Ford finally bring some more of it to the US.

[vanzuuk1]

When I think rally car for the street,I think WRX..

[ebncrdr]

Ford is the king? Really?

Perhaps you might have titled this thread; Ford reminds Subaru who is the "Johnny come lately" until the next era of Euro dominance.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Rally_Championship#Champions

Citroen, Pugeot and Lancia OWN rally, and the X-games hardly qualifies as rally. It's cool. But it isn't rally.

I would not qualify Wikipedia as a reliable source. However, I agree Ford has ALOT to prove.

[Damn True]

I would not qualify Wikipedia as a reliable source. However, I agree Ford has ALOT to prove.

Well go find a source that has a different list then.

[Damn True]

Only 3? I'm going to assume you know better than that.





Lancia . . . nice history. I always liked the cheese-shaped cars.

Pugeot . . . doesn't even compete for the constructor's championship and hasn't been a contendor since . . . the days when Subaru was still competitive. This is mostly a result of PSA deciding to only run one of its brands in WRC after having some problems with the 307.

Citroen - mentioned it in the first post and I have no problem calling them the real king.

Oh, and Hirvonen is leading in the points right now. The success of Stobart Ford since 2007, a non-factory team, should say something about the WRC Ford rally cars.


You know I'm jerkin yer chain right?

[DarkBuddha]

When I think rally car for the street,I think WRX..
In modern memory, that's probably the most popular image folks have. But there are some other great "rally car for the street" candidates, like the XR4TI (essentially the same as Ford's Sierra that was so popular in rally in the '80s), Fiat 131, or '80s Volvo 242 or 245.

[79-TA]

When I think rally car for the street,I think WRX..

And that's where Subaru does . . . or did . . . so well. As far as what's available in North America, it's hard to find a better alternative than an Evo IX or pre-'08 WRX for the amatuer rally driver.

[PT Sportwagon]

I just wish they would show the WRC rallies on TV. I love to watch them but nascrap channel ( read speed ) doesn't show them anymore.

Tim

[DarkBuddha]

I just wish they would show the WRC rallies on TV. I love to watch them but nascrap channel ( read speed ) doesn't show them anymore.

Tim
Quit wishing and start watching... starting tomorrow:

http://dhd.discovery.com/tv-schedules/series.html?paid=66.15710.128170.38049.x

[JohnUlaszek]

I didn't think it was possible, but I think the Ford actually out uglies the Subauru.

[79-TA]

^ no. Have you even seen the Ford Fiesta before?


Quit wishing and start watching... starting tomorrow:

http://dhd.discovery.com/tv-schedules/series.html?paid=66.15710.128170.38049.x


If you're a real rally fan, it's your duty to watch, so they can get some decent ratings and advertising. If not, you'll have only yourself to blame for NASCAR supposedly being the only racing on TV.