[WTCC] 2015 WTCC news & rumours

[GusGasfuss]

The Honda is in disadvantage, only from his shape and size.
Of course maybe engine problems and engineering by JAS might help to be behind Citroen.

I don't think, that changing to another team/constructor might help fast. And of course TD needs also time to grow enough experience and might to hire more personal.
Its different to compete against international manufacturers then agains private teams with nearly same engine.

[Juntos]

The way money goes so fast these days, they should paint racing stripes on it. Don't look so surprised. JAS keeps massaging the truth. The results so far have proved peculiarly disappointing. The factory team has been humiliated by a bunch of unknown and brave Hungarians with few resources. The driver line up is lousy and old and that engine doesn't have a soul. Blaming just the car concept is no excuse. While most people think it's our brain that controls our actions, it's often our heart that gets the biggest workout. If Honda wants to achieve something in WTCC, they have to get rid of JAS first. Unfortunately our hearts are very sensitive. And when they're broken everything around us is shattered. Total eclipse of the heart.

[jimothy84]

JAS haven't exactly lit up the WTCC with any of their Honda projects over the years... Team Dynamics tendered to run the Honda effort, but JAS won. Really no idea why.

[Lanti]

Sebastien Loeb says he could race in his own team if Citroen decides to leave WTCC after the 2016 season.

http://wtccblog.com/2015/08/loeb-i-c...n-my-own-team/

[kurski]

Nicolas Lapierre replaces Jaap van Lagen at Lada Sport Rosneft

[Rubio]

Boom
http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/...sport-rosneft/

Instalation rounds before full 2016 I believe

[Lanti]

Strange. WTCC is in great need for more cars but it seems Honda will not build new Civic-s in 2016.

http://wtccblog.com/2015/09/honda-wo...cars-for-2016/

What do you think?

[Go_For_Pole]

Honda on the way out perhaps? Or amybe JAS are on the way out?

[FIRE]

Strange indeed.

[Rubio]

According to Jorge Legnani from Campeones Volvo is about to enter 3 cars in 2016 https://twitter.com/jorgelegnani/sta...07706632572928

Another sourse from Argentina indicates that Muller (?!) can be one of their drivers (though I don't treat that seriously)

As for Honda, that is not a good sign. Although I do hope it's somehow connected with a new car

[Rubio]

Some other news from Legnani - in 2016 Termas de Rio Hondo will move back to August, while the season start will be in Marrakech (one of the worst ever decisions) https://twitter.com/jorgelegnani/sta...75747962748928

[Rubio]

Interesting interview with Eric Neve http://www.serbiaring.com/erik-nev-z...zgledati-2016/

Key points:
1) New manufacturer announcement is expected in mid-November at the Frankfurt motorshow
2) Time trial session for manufacturers is almost a certainty
3) Honda is set to remain with 2 factory cars again
4) In 2016 there may be another private Citroen and maybe some private Ladas. Interesting that new private Hondas are not mentioned

Plus a few things about ETCC. They develop a set of rules, TCN2 cars (2,0 liter engine, 18-inch wheels, sequential gearbox) which should be eligible from 2016, and the plan for the future is to save only 2 classes maximum in the championship.

In addition Neve told that they evaluate the possibility to run ETCC at Nordschleife

[Lanti]

If they stay in WTCC for longer term, Honda will definitely build a new car from the latest Civic.

http://wtccblog.com/2015/09/honda-co...ivic-for-2017/

[Rubio]

Originally Posted by Lanti

If they stay in WTCC for longer term, Honda will definitely build a new car from the latest Civic.

http://wtccblog.com/2015/09/honda-co...ivic-for-2017/

If they want to challenge Citroen they MUST do it. And add a 3rd car as well

[Matt]

Cyan Racing(Polestar) teased this a few days ago. Those are the unmistakeable hood vents of a TC1 class car.

Expect Volvo.

[Go_For_Pole]

That's great news. Guesses about their drivers?

[Rubio]

Originally Posted by Go_For_Pole

That's great news. Guesses about their drivers?

May be Muller
http://hosszabbitas.hu/wtcc/muller-m...ozom-a-jovovel

After reading his interview at TcT, I think it's quite possible
http://www.touringcartimes.com/2015/...16-season-yet/

Expect a Swedish driver - either Bjork or Dahlgren. (I would bet on Bjork - as STCC programme is downsized to 2 cars). And I personally hope that they will pick a young talent like Valente for their 3rd car

[thlbtcc]

From the back end of 2014, the possibility of Dahlgren is discussed http://www.touringcartimes.com/2014/...-after-sydney/

Will be interesting to see if it's Bjork or Dahlgren, or maybe both. As mentioned already, STCC team is downsizing next season.

[helmat]

They've also tweeted "More than weeks less than months" concerning the release of more information.
So we'll find out pretty soon I guess

[Bramzel]

My money is also on Björk and Muller, with Dahlgren in a possible third car?

[touring fan01]

dont think they would use dahlgren again. he wasnt great last time in wtcc and wasnt great in australian v8.

[thlbtcc]

Originally Posted by touring fan01

dont think they would use dahlgren again. he wasnt great last time in wtcc and wasnt great in australian v8.

Think he did a good job in WTCC IMHO, but agreed that the results were shabby down in Aus. He is a signed Volvo driver (not Cyan/Polestar I believe, but direct to Volvo) and skilled engineer so in terms of feedback and development he could be a good test driver at least.

[FIRE]

But apparently Dalhgren was important for development of the Volvo V8SC.

[Bramzel]

One of the reasons Dahlgren left Australia was because he had to work on a new project, back then already rumoured to be WTCC. V8's are notoriously difficult to get to grips with, they're not easy to handle. So I can't blame Dahlgren for not succeeding in one season.

[Rubio]

Chilton to race for Sebastien Loeb Racing in 2016?
http://wtccblog.com/2015/09/bennani-...in-the-summer/