Redbull GRC

Since I'm late to the party and just finished watching the 2016 season, I want your opinion on some things.

Team Volkswagen Andretti Rallycross with drivers Tanner Foust and Scott Speed. What makes them so good? Is it the drivers, the Volkswagen Beetles or that a Rallycross team is behind them?

Along with the previous question, because of dieselgate and Volkswagen pulling out of motorsports, does Andretti keep using the Beetles or will Volkswagen not allow any of their cars in race series anymore, even if they aren't providing support?

Rhys Millen uses a Hyundai Veloster. Last season Redbull showed the Hyundai badge next to his name, this year they did not. Does that mean he doesn't have any manufacturer backing or that Hyundai would rather not have their name in rallycross racing?

All the vehicles are hatchbacks (FiST, FoST, Civic, Veloster and Volks Beetle) sans the Subaru STI. Is being a sedan a drawback, or does this go back to question one where it depends on the driver and the company(s) backing said driver?

Foust is an past GRC champion. Scott Speed is an x formula 1 driver.

They are both pretty good at driving a car. Scott Speed is better at making quick lap times and not hurting the car while Foust is more of a showboat that can make his car VERY wide when he needs to.

Hyundai's have been pretty crappy in the GRC for the last few years. They always seem to be in / near the back and then get caught up in accidents or mechanicals.

No idea if dieselgate will have an effect. Andretti Autosport is a kick ass team that I think could pick up a new brand / sponsor fairly quickly if necessary.

Foust and Speed are good, and their cars are good. They are slated to be back as the only VW backed entity currently, but it is largely an Andretti workload. VW's will be in World Rallyx as well but privately supported. Ditto on WRC(rally). Hyundai dropped support to Rhys prior to the 2016 season. Manufacturers must contract with the series, part of that get's your logo on their media and adds you to the manufacturers championship. Rhys did a private effort last year for a few one off appearances. His car is ageing. Rhys when full time was fairly good, but the series has evolved a bit, and it's tough to keep up, if you aren't in the mix regularly. He is a talented driver.

I don't think being a sedan is drawback, but I may be biased. Wheelbase is a big factor, and that is adjusted per the rules. I think the overall design is the larger factor, there is a minimum weight. In general you'll see the cars physically growing in the series.

The level of competition has increased dramatically in both the GRC and WRX in the last 3 years. Resources needed to compete at that level have also increased. So I think you will see some folks drop out that were just barely getting by, while others will come in with a greater effort and greater support.

I would think a sedan would have an advantage over a hatchback assuming the overall vehicle length is the same - less high-mounted weight and less overhanging weight.

Re hatchbacks: IIRC, WRC teams prefer hatchbacks when possible because of better aero qualities. I would suspect that to be less of an issue with GRC because speeds, or at least sustained speeds, aren't anywhere near as high.

Been to the last three at the old Redskins stadium. When they hit the rev limiters in the staging area for a timed run is super cool noise wise. Hyundai wasn't there this year but Honda was. Subaru seems well off the boil. Ford somewhat too. They've changed the track configuration each year slowly getting better and faster. Very little merchandise which is dumb dumb dumb. And what merchandise they have is great. Given the incredible wealth of the Capital region they could make the spectator experience so much more. Still a cool weekend for a tarmac guy like me who also grew up watching the original British mixed surface stuff. Go next year.

Loved working the series last year. Some of the most fun I've had at any event last year including F1. I'm a big Steve Arpin fan. Super cool and just very guy next door. Hung out and chatted with the track crew after the drivers meeting and was great with all of the fans and especially the kids.

The Andretti boys just run a first class org with 2 of the most experienced drivers in the series. It's a formula for continued success. I really hope they come back to somewhere close so I can work that series again this year. Oh and did I mention easily the best food I've gotten as a worker and all of the red bull I wanted.

I wish it was a little less like expensive bumper cars. When it's clean it's great though.

I really hate to be the downer guy, but I keep trying to get into GRC and keep coming away disappointed. I love rallycross, went to the British Rallycross Grand Prix a few time plus smaller events at Lydden Hill (where TG filmed it a few years ago) The big issue with GRC Vs 'WRX' (World Rally Cross, the FIA championahip) is the tracks. I understand the desire for the organizers to bring the events into cities, but the problem is the track just end up as mickey mouse with too little room that makes track blocking incidents almost inevitable. A few years ago they went to Barbados and that was awesome, so was Dirt Fish, but these small tracks leave me cold. Try watching some European or World events on YouTube and you'll really love rallycross. Don't get me wrong, I really want GRC to get better and really take off. I'd love for it to become popular and extend downwards into club level competition rather than just a 'Manufacturer' lead pro series, but unless there are some purpose built facilities I don't see it happening.

Go and look at the Detroit show thread, I posted some pics of the Andretti Beetle in there from the show yesterday.

My opinion, is the tracks keep improving. If you look at the series over the last few years, there is a night and day difference between now and then. It is evolving for the better. I expect you'll see some changes this year as well.

sachilles wrote: My opinion, is the tracks keep improving. If you look at the series over the last few years, there is a night and day difference between now and then. It is evolving for the better. I expect you'll see some changes this year as well.

Cool, I'll check it out again this season. I see they aren't coming back to Detroit though.

Is youtube the only option to watch WRC for free?

In reply to gearheadmb:

NBC has coverage race weekends with I think live finals. But of course that's not right now.

nutherjrfan wrote: In reply to gearheadmb: NBC has coverage race weekends with I think live finals. But of course that's not right now.

He's asking for WRC, not GRC. GRC is on NBC, with sometimes live finals. GRC lites tends to be NBCSN. It can also be seen via red bulls website live.

WRC, can be seen online for free sometimes via their app. WRX, can also be seen the same way.

In reply to sachilles:

Ahhhhhh. Topic creep. Missed that.