[jerry can]

bad, bad news for WRC. And also for Ford fans. No official Ford entry at the WRC from next year.
http://www.crash.net/world+rally/new..._continue.html

[pganapathy]

Oh man, it looks like the economy is affecting all forms of motor racing. Not good for us fans. I only hope it is a temporary withdrawal and not a permanent one

[nitrous]

This is ridiculous since there were just 2 manufacturers in the WRC. Ford and Citroen.
Now, we'd be left with the Citroen works team minus Loeb and M-sport Ford cars.
VW joins next year. But, they'd be a fledgling team with reliability issues even if they're fast.
I think there won't BE a WRC season in 2014.
It all started with the 1.6 turbo engines!

[deetjohn]

Too bad. Can't think of WRC without the Blue Oval. Read Mini works is also pulling out.

Wonder what is Jean Todt doing to stop this exodus.

[maven]

at this rate seriously doubt if WRC will exist 2014. already Paris-Dakar is dead although due to entirely different reasons. the SA one is'nt the real thing (with all respect); but death of a sport? never thought thats also possible.

[nitrous]

already Paris-Dakar is dead although due to entirely different reasons.

Really?
AFAIK, Paris-Dakar will never die since
1. Its just a once in a year event and there's a lot of interest from Works teams and the manufacturers.
2. Privateer bikers. It's now become a pilgrimage to European bikers. It just can't be gotten rid off, just like the Manx TT.

[jkdas]

Read somewhere else that Ford is still losing money and is closing down factories etc. Guess part of that decision?


Edit

http://www.cardealermagazine.co.uk/p...500-jobs/70460