Predictions WRC 2003 - Champion driver and manufacturer (merged)

[SJ Spode]

As we start the New Year I wondered if people could gaze into their crystal balls (or at least the bottom of their glasses / bottles from the festive celebrations) to predict the top six drivers and the top three manufacturers in the 2003 WRC. Here's my bid ......:confused:

Drivers

1. Marcus Gronholm
2. Colin McRae
3. Petter Solberg
4. Sebastien Loeb
5. Richard Burns
6. Carlos Sainz

Manufacturers

1. Peugoet
2. Citroen
3. Subaru

Good luck folks & here's to another great year of rallying as we enjoy the Dakar now and the Monte in a few weeks time.

[Lee Janotta]

1. Marcus Gronholm
2. Sebastian Loeb (extremely close)
3. Colin McRae
4. Petter Solberg
5. Tommi Makkinen
6. Carlos Sainz

1. Citroen
2. Peugoet
3. Subaru

[DavidStHubbins]

1.Gronholm
2.Burns
3.McRae
4.Solberg
5.Makinen
6.Loeb

[Margam]

1.Gronholm
2.Burns (Big fight between the Pug boys but I think that Burnsie will close the gap on Marcus.)

3,4,5,6,7,8 In these positions it's anyones guess.

Colin will be fast but Loeb has more miles in the Xsara.The big surprise in the Citroën camp could be Carlos or the car itself.We still don't know what the car or team will be like during it's first full season.

Petter has got his first victory so this will drive him and Subaru on but Tommi is a non runner.This will be the four time world champs last year.

Now to the Ford boys.They are the young guns so if the Focus
is up to it they can deliver.

[racer69]

Gronholm definatly favourite. His only challenger for the title would be Burns i'd say.

The only cars that will have the outright speed i'd say will be the Peugeot and the Citreon.

[Speeddemon555]

Gronholm will repeat his championship and a French duel between Peugeot and Citroen for the manufacturers. Pay attention with the Tarmac rounds in the fall with Germany, San Remo and Cataluyna.

[boyracer]

I'm going to put my 2 bob's worth in and say that the rise and fall of Peugeot will continue and this will be one of their 'fall' years, where for no apparent reason the pug will develop sheer bad luck. They will be at the top, though not quite so dominant. Gilles, Gronholm and Loeb will be the tarmac runaways, with Solberg and Sainz snapping at their heels. The fords will be pushing, but in a car that is too heavy (by their own admission) and at the same time focusing (no pun intended) on next years project, their performance will be stunted. Though it's strength in places like Greece could see an upset. Burns will still be trying and in with more than a good chance of being in the top 2 at the end of the year. McRae will set some absolutely blinding stage times and blow everyone else into the weeds, that is until he is in the weeds himself (talented driver, but has only 1 speed). Of course he will blame it on his in-experience in the car.
The Xsara has had a lot of development, but the big question will be in the reliability and in the engineers ability to 'dial' it in for each rally.
Whatever way you look at it, it's going to be a good season.

[429CJ]

1. Marcus Grönholm
2. Tommi Mäkinen
3. Harri Rovanperä
4. Mikko Hirvonen

Just joking!!! But 1986 it was 1-2-3 for Finns...

[CleanTone]

1 Gronholm
2 Solberg
3 Martin
4 Loeb
5 Burns
The Wall: McRae

Constructors:
1.Peugeot
2.Peugeot
3.Citroen

[Dani Filth]

1. Marcus Gronholm
2. Sebastien Loeb
3. Burns
4. Sainz
5. Solberg
6. Panizzi

[Minardi4eva]

1.Solberg
2.Gronholm
3.Burns
4.Makinen
5.McRae
6.Loeb

[SJ Spode]

Any more before the season starts.....

[R]

Originally posted by CleanTone
Constructors:
1.Peugeot
2.Peugeot

That will take some doing, even for Peugeot!

My predictions:

Drivers:
1. Grönholm
2. Solberg
3. Loeb
4. Burns
5. Panizzi
6. McRae

Manufacturers:
1. Peugeot
2. Citroen
3. Subaru

[StuiE]

1. Gronholm
2. Solberg
3. McRae (probably not, but I want him to be up there)
4. Burns
5. Loeb
6. Makinen

Manufacturers
1. Pug
2. Citroen
3. Subi

[f1manoz]

I'm going well away from the norm. I like my wacky predictions:

1. Solberg
2. Loeb
3. Burns
4. Gronholm
5. Martin
6. McRae

Manufacturers

1. Citroen
2. Peugeot
3. Subaru

[R]

I like your wacky predictions too! I don't think Petter will win the title though, but him and Loeb are my two favourite drivers in the WRC, so why not!

[Liz]

I'm going to say Solberg for WRC -- barring any really terrible accidents. I think Gronholm will fade in the stretch this year.

I also predict that Carlos Sainz will win at least 3 rallies and Colin McRae won't win a single one. And Loeb will beat them both.

[Matthopps]

1. Solberg
2. Loeb
3. Burns
4. Makinen (gives it a real good go, to bow-out in style).
5. Gronholm/Panizzi
6. Sainz/Mcrae/Martin
7. Everyone else.-probably a Hyundai

Constructors:

1. Subaru
2. Peugeot
3. Citreon
4. Ford
5. Hyundai
6. Skoda

What makes you think I'm a Subaru Fan?

[StuiE]

Originally posted by Matthopps

What makes you think I'm a Subaru Fan?

The fact that you think they can win

[Jordi]

1. Sainz!

A bit unrealistic maybe, but he'll surely be there. He's always there, in the fight.

[Raven]

Here's my predictions for the year:

1. Gronholm - Too fast, too consistent, too good!
2. Burns - Gives it a good go now he's more familiar with the team
3. Makinen - Retires with dignity
4. Solberg - Another strong year, but 2004 will be his big year
5. Panizzi - Will win a couple of the tarmac rallies
6. Loeb - Leading the Citroen charge

[SJ Spode]

Question: Are we going to close the predictions prior to the Monte?, or run them for say the first three events?

[Speeddemon555]

1. Makinen
2. Sainz
3. Loeb
4. Gronholm
5. McRae
6. Solberg
7. Burns
8. Panizzi

Hey guys, the expanded from the Top 6 to the Top 8 this year due to the points system change by the FIA.

[AndyF]

1. Gronholm
2. Burns
3. C McRae
4. Solberg
5. Martin
6. Panizzi
--
1. Peugeot
2. Citroen
3. Ford

[Yoong Montoya]

Who do you think will win it? Will Gronholm defend his title? Or will his teammate Burns or one of the Citroen lads take it? It sure looks like it will be close.