Rydell

pink69 · 7 Nov 2002, 23:29 (Ref:424208)

Volvo's departure from the ETCC has left both Rydell and Hanson out of a drive for next year. Rydell is a driver in demand. he is looking at options in the ETCC, BTCC and DTM. Honda is the likely candidate to sign the Swede should he return to the BTCC. Also there is the chance of doing Le Mans and Sebring with Prodrive's 550 with the view of a full ALMS season. I hope Honda get him, we need another world class driver in the series.

kmchow · 8 Nov 2002, 00:14 (Ref:424222)

I wouldn't mind seeing him try a year out in the DTM? It will give him some experience with more powerful cars and faster tracks? Plus, the DTM could try and build up a following in Sweden?

Speeddemon555 · 8 Nov 2002, 04:39 (Ref:424342)

Looks like Rydell could be a lock for the Prodrive Ferrari team next year.

racer69 · 8 Nov 2002, 10:12 (Ref:424465)

Are they running a full program though?

He was talking to Mercedes about a DTM seat for 2000, he may have tested a car as well?

Michael H · 8 Nov 2002, 10:43 (Ref:424483)

I have a different view. I hope Rydell is part of a three car Volvo independent team. I want to see Rydell get back in his S60, with teammates Jan Nilsson and Edward Sandstrom alongside. This is what I believe should happen.

Michael H · 8 Nov 2002, 10:44 (Ref:424484)

Or maybe even Rydell making selected appearances in a third S60.

JMeissner · 8 Nov 2002, 10:52 (Ref:424489)

Quote:

Originally posted by pink69
Volvo's departure from the ETCC has left both Rydell and Hanson out of a drive for next year. Rydell is a driver in demand. he is looking at options in the ETCC, BTCC and DTM. Honda is the likely candidate to sign the Swede should he return to the BTCC. Also there is the chance of doing Le Mans and Sebring with Prodrive's 550 with the view of a full ALMS season. I hope Honda get him, we need another world class driver in the series.

Old news, this was posted more then a week ago:

"For next year I'm looking at ETCC, BTCC and ALMS. Though it is almost set that I will drive the big GT events at Sebring and 24-hour of LeMans with Prodrive's Ferrari 550."

Reido Rules · 8 Nov 2002, 19:12 (Ref:424783)

they are only special events which I believe Norman Simon did this year. So there is still scope for 2003 in BTCC/DTM.

racer69 · 9 Nov 2002, 06:06 (Ref:424982)

I'd say he would most likely end up in the private S60s in the ETC, provided they run.

Have Prodrive made any noises about possibly continuing with Volvo support?

kmchow · 9 Nov 2002, 08:50 (Ref:425010)

Quote:

Originally posted by racer69
I'd say he would most likely end up in the private S60s in the ETC, provided they run.

Have Prodrive made any noises about possibly continuing with Volvo support?

Don't you mean "without Volvo support"? Or does Volvo consider their "support" as selling the cars cheaply to privateers?

**touringlegend** · 9 Nov 2002, 10:42 (Ref:425022)

Prodrive are in negotiations with Kia, if they can agree terms within the next few weeks, they may have a car out for the first race of 2003.

Alfa Fan · 9 Nov 2002, 10:44 (Ref:425024)

it is possible Rydell will take a season out like in 2001 and then return in the Prodrive Kia ETCC works team in 2004. He is also looking to return to the BTCC. Hope he does as we will have 3 Former Champions Rydell(1998), Harvey(1992) and Thompson(2002)

Alfa Fan · 9 Nov 2002, 10:51 (Ref:425028)

He has also got a chance to replace Priaulx, who is looking at the ETCC for next year, in a works Honda. i wouldn't be surprised however if Honda enter 4 or 5 cars. Andy Priaulx, Alan Morrison and Tom Chilton look very likely, but maybe be joined by Rickard Rydell and Jan Lindblom to take the fight to MG and Vauxhall.

Jimeth · 9 Nov 2002, 16:21 (Ref:425150)

Rydell back in the BTCC again would mean it really has found its feet again i think, after all the nervousness about new regs etc. Plus the guy is a fantastic racer.

kmchow · 10 Nov 2002, 01:50 (Ref:425443)

Hmmm, the thought of Rydell have raced in a Volvo, Ferrari and now KIA???? Oh well, it's a job to him and it helps feed his family!

racer69 · 10 Nov 2002, 09:40 (Ref:425539)

Quote:

Originally posted by racer69
Have Prodrive made any noises about possibly continuing with Volvo support?

I meant 'without' Volvo support.

Could any BTCC team afford him? seeing as driver wages have dropped.

Be a shame for him to take yet another year out to develop a car, this Volvo deal has proved to be a waste of time effectively.

If the car is competitive it doesn't really matter what the name is.

Michael H · 10 Nov 2002, 11:13 (Ref:425614)

I still think it's a very strong chance that we'll see Rydell in a private Volvo. He might do it in an effort to get Volvo back in 2004.

**touringlegend** · 10 Nov 2002, 11:50 (Ref:425662)

I don't think Volvo will ever be away from Touring Cars for too long, but I wouldn't dither about if I was Rydell waiting on them. Does he really want to race a private Volvo next year, wouldn't he be better in a top BTCC or DTM factory team??

JMeissner · 10 Nov 2002, 12:01 (Ref:425668)

Quote:

Originally posted by touringlegend
I don't think Volvo will ever be away from Touring Cars for too long, but I wouldn't dither about if I was Rydell waiting on them. Does he really want to race a private Volvo next year, wouldn't he be better in a top BTCC or DTM factory team??

Rydell is still hired by Volvo to tune road cars.

**touringlegend** · 10 Nov 2002, 12:14 (Ref:425677)

So is he contractually obliged not to race for any other make?

Reido Rules · 10 Nov 2002, 12:55 (Ref:425701)

How about this-

Ford are entering BTCC in 2004, Volvo is Ford, so will Ford be using Rydell in 2003 as part of a development programme with a view to race in 2004?

JMeissner · 10 Nov 2002, 15:01 (Ref:425745)

Quote:

Originally posted by touringlegend
So is he contractually obliged not to race for any other make?

I'm not sure about this, but I suppouse that he can race for any make he likes. Remember 2001 when he still was hired by Volvo and he tested for Mercedes among other things.

JMeissner · 10 Nov 2002, 15:02 (Ref:425746)

Quote:

Originally posted by Reido Rules
How about this-

Ford are entering BTCC in 2004, Volvo is Ford, so will Ford be using Rydell in 2003 as part of a development programme with a view to race in 2004?

Wasn't that just a thing Ford was concidering with the Diesel...

BootsOntheSide · 10 Nov 2002, 16:35 (Ref:425781)

I wouldn't be surprised if Volvo loan him out to someone like Honda, then maybe get him to lead a Ford diesel project (if there is one) or some other future project. However FoMoCo are really cutting their motorsport involvement, so they may simply release him, in which case BTCC for Honda sounds likely.

kmchow · 10 Nov 2002, 22:32 (Ref:425968)

Just like how we associate Bernd Schneider with MB, Biela with Alfa, I will always associate Rydell with Volvo. I think it's a shame if Ford were to let Rydell go. I think it does mean a lot if Ford were continually to keep Rydell in their fold until he retires! Kinda like Cleland?

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