http://www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=4&nid=109336

Having read that ------ He has a point ( or 2 )

Bumping this up again, as I'm wondering why the Fabia WRC is still such an outright embarrassment.

Only 16th in Argentina, really, what are they doing in the WRC?

Get serious or get out!

Skoda don't invest enough money to ever suceed in WRC - end of story.

Bring back the octavia anyday.

So who is going to be in the WRC next year then? Ford and Mitsubishi? I am a fan of Rallying, always have been since the Group B days got me hooked, but what on earth has happened to it in the last few years? Like F1, it's not about the competition, the sport itself, or even the spectators, it's all about the money. Another sad reflection of modern times i'm afraid IMHO. :thumbdwn:

Back on topic, like spindrift says, irrespective of which car they use, no money = no progress in development = no commited drivers = never shown on the telly cos they are always nearly last.

They could perhaps do with Gronholm and Panizzi as test drivers for a couple of years, then come back with a serious effort, be it an octy or fabia, or how cool would a roomster wrc be??

WRC is a lame version of rallying.

They should bring back overnight stages and have the event running for a few more days and have less rounds.

There are going to be plenty of drivers looking for a drive next season but a great driver won't change skodas fortunes.

I've now started drooling at the memories of group B...

me too, i was only a mere boy when it was around, but saturday afternoons were spent glued to the telly. i look now at videos etc and hold in awe all of the men who could tame those mad mad awsome machines.

Thanks Malcom W**ker for your contribution to the sport you t**t :thumbdwn:

me too' date=' i was only a mere boy when it was around, but saturday afternoons were spent glued to the telly. i look now at videos etc and hold in awe all of the men who could tame those mad mad awsome machines.

Thanks Malcom W**ker for your contribution to the sport you t**t :thumbdwn:[/quote']

I was a mere boy myself, but those cars were awesome.

It goes a long way to explain why I always drool over 6R4's and ignore all the modern crap at the rallies.

Got five 6R4s running this Saturday so Andy is a very happy bunny

Closest thing to the group B these days are the tweaked ex WRC rallycross cars kicking out 650+bhpm - bloody nutty as squirrel poo.

You know which malcom i mean dont you?

Where are the 6r4's. I havent watched a live event for too long now, last one was here in blackpool some on the prom, some in alcatraz, sorry, pontins. Some tasty "proper" rally cars.

You know which malcom i mean dont you?

Where are the 6r4's. I havent watched a live event for too long now' date=' last one was here in blackpool some on the prom, some in alcatraz, sorry, pontins. Some tasty "proper" rally cars.[/quote']

Mr Wilson?

On the prom at New Brighton, Wirral this Saturday.

That would have been the North West Stages Rally in February you mean I presume. Was at least one 6R4 in that, John Stone Ithink, but he had major problems with it all through the event.

Really annoys me why they don't spend money and win.

Can you think of any other reason why Mitsubishi or Subaru sell cars?

Mitsubishi Charisma anyone

I think they banned Group B too quickly, but am even more sorry that there is no longer a place for the old-style RAC or Safari.

But getting back on topic - Mitsubishi finally got themselves out of the doldrums and have now returned as regular points finishers. So why can't Skoda? It's getting to become a bl**dy embarrassment that Skoda keeps on getting it wrong with the most purposeful looking car of the bunch.

Specatators were as much to blame as anyone else for group B getting banned - don't stand in the middle of the road.

Mitsibishi cut back on their budgets, that's why they went crap. Now they have committed fully again they are getting the results.

You can't be half assed and expect to win.

Theres an article in Crash.net about Skoda motorsport boss, saying the drivers must perform better, how many times have I heard that. I'm sure theres more to it than it just being the drivers.

I was a bit ****ed off to hear the peugeot boss slagging off Markko, Markko slags the car off and he's on his back but then has no problem publically slagging markko. Its obviously the car, Marcus is well wound up with the car and the tyres

If tv ratings for wrc drops, do you think group b could be brought back to the tv screens?

Watch this

In my opinion what killed rallying over the last couple of years was the introduction of the rule that wouldn't allow a 3rd driver who had finished in X place (sorry I can't remember the exact rule), the one that basically ended McRaes run in the WRC.

It was used to encourage new talent but it was just never the same as there just has never been the same level of competition at the top.

I doubt we'll ever see Group B cars again, the cars were mental and the spectators were worse.