[John Vanos]

exerpt from www.worldrallynews.com

'Work continues on a bid to find a top drive for 2004. A WRC drive is his top priority, but McRae is also looking at a move to the USA.'

Could this be the new AFR driver?

 

[grinner323]

I don't see any Alister stories... just 2 about Colin not running in the WRC next year.

Philip J. Boer
grinner323(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

 

[AlanPerry]

Didn't see the worldrallynews bit either, but on www.wrc.com, there is a bit titled "Alister misses Rally GB", dated today, that ends with a mention of him considering a US move.

alan

 

[decke003]

>Could this be the new AFR driver?

Maybe, but Subaru is still looking for a top man for 2004 are they not?
That would seem more likely of a move for Alister.

 

[human turtle]

Subaru is sticking with Pasi and Ramana for 2004.

John Elkin
"Don't go where the road don't go."- Ringo Starr

 

[Rally254]

If we're going with the rumor boat, the latest I've heard is that Colin is trying to start his own WRC team. Obviously he has the fundage to support it, and Allistar is a driver looking for a seat. No-matter what happens, I'd hate to see either of the McCrae boys part with the sport of rally.

Doug Dreith
Car#254
PGT Impreza 1.8l AWD

 

[John Vanos]

My mistake! it WAS wrc.com! check out the link: http://www.wrc.com/en_GB/News/2003/015/2003_R_GB_ALISTERMISSESRALLYGB.htm

 

[Flyboy]

>
>drive is his top priority, but McRae is also looking at a
>move to the USA.'
>

Yeah, of course he wants to come here, because all of us ProRally drivers are making SOOOO much money, with sponsorship and endorsements coming out of our ears. And beautiful American women throwing themselves at us during every service.

Realistically, I can see these guys running a race or two over here as a publicity stunt, but no one at that level is gonna waste a whole season over here when they could be running privateer WRC and PWRC cars, or testing for works teams, and getting paid decently to do it.

I'd wager that in Europe the "myth" that US rally is going nuts is probably a bit overblown. In reality, we can't even attract 5000 people to a race.

Someday, but not today....

Dennis Martin
[email protected]
920-432-4845

 

[Mek41]

BUT, in Canada 5000 at an event could be considered a poor turnout.
I vote for Alister in Canada!

Andrew Harvey

 

[Ray]

>Could this be the new AFR driver?

If the AFR team does play with the thought, look out and be prepared for a juicy tax raise. :+

Whiplash RallyeSport

 

[nicebloke]

>no one at that level is
>gonna waste a whole season over here when they could be
>running privateer WRC and PWRC cars, or testing for works
>teams, and getting paid decently to do it.

I think you'll find that the only people making mondo cash in the PCWRC or as a privateer in the WRC are those with "patrons" or slightly dubious backgrounds. They all have to beg, borrow and steal to find the $250k to buy a WRC car and the $500k to run it for a full season. There may also be a couple of guys in PCWRC making some dough, but once again, most are scrounging whatever they can to fulfill the 7-race commitment they made to the FIA at the start of the year.

Given that Alistair couldn't find funding to run even ONE WRC event in a WRC car (his deal for Rally GB fell through), I'd imagine Subaru or AFR in the US may actually look attractive...

 

[robin]

>>Could this be the new AFR driver?
>
>If the AFR team does play with the thought, look out and be
>prepared for a juicy tax raise. :+
>
>Whiplash RallyeSport

Hmmmm the USAF with a foreign national in the pilot's seat...

Robin (also a foreign national - relatively speaking)

 

[Morison]

Robin has hit it on the head - I would imagine the political outcry (if even just internal in the USAFR) would kill the idea.

Also, to clarify, Alister drove a ralliArt europe 'customer' Evo WRC car in New Zealand ...

I can't imagine that Alister would find value in running the SCCA championship (no offense intended) and the idea that the RSNA is a 'substantial' series would be quickly set straight before he committed to the series.

 

[Kartwheel]

>Robin has hit it on the head - I would imagine the political
>outcry (if even just internal in the USAFR) would kill the
>idea.

Maj Greg already said they would hire whomever they had to to win, American or not. A quote from the Timo retires thread:

"My direction from the people who outrank me is to put a driver in the car who can win the 2004 championship. Which means that if, I have to, I will go to the planet Zolton to get him/her. As far as the American driver thing, if I have 2 equal drivers to choose from and one is an American then the American would get the nod. If I don't then whoever is the best driver and is the best fit for the team will get it."

"Unfortunately, we do not have the budget to do driver development. The person we pick will be a proven winner in Group N, Open or WRC cars."

Alister could win over here so in that respect he is as good a candidate as any other for the moment.

 

[John Cassidy]

I think it's clear that the AFR will put the best driver they can afford in the car, American or otherwise.

Cheers! John

 

[robin]

>I think it's clear that the AFR will put the best driver
>they can afford in the car, American or otherwise.
>
>Cheers! John

Well then they better get Frank


Robin

 

[Doug Woods]

In order to win, the new AFR driver will have to be very fast. He will be driving a car (assuming the same Focus as this year) which is well behind in terms of modern rally car technology.

Also, Subaru and Mitsubishi will both probably be fielding cars next year that will be as close as you can get to WRC specs, while still conforming to the Pro Rally regulations.

Doug Woods

 

[Morison]

>I think it's clear that the AFR will put the best driver
>they can afford in the car, American or otherwise.

I guess I've worked in the media too long ... Maj. Greg's stance is a good one to set the ground for 'the best driver we've found is home grown ...'

beyond that - with what they'd spend on a wrc level driver they could probably take a 'Ross Foster'and spend some development time with him.