Photo: Hyundai Motorsport
We have already reported that this year Latvia was close to hosting the World Rally Championship stage for the first time in history. Unfortunately, this did not happen. On the other hand, the Estonians took part in the WRC stage, which was held at a high level in these difficult conditions.
“We have shown ourselves and Latvia to the best of the organizer of the FIA World Rally Championship. We have shown that we are not afraid to work towards grandiose goals by accepting the challenge of holding a WRC stage in such a short period of time. However, for various reasons, it has been decided that the Rally Liepāja taking place in Latvia will not be included in the revised WRC calendar this year, ”commented the director of RA Events at the time. Raimonds Strokšs.
At that time, the portal received unofficial information that probably Hyundai and a high-level former Estonian rally driver did not want the WRC season to resume in Latvia (Estonians wanted the WRC stage to take place with them first). Toyota team leaders Tommy Makinen and Sebastian Ogier said to the portal DirtFish confirms to some extent previous rumors.
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Photo: Hyundai Motorsport
” I wanted to see the rallies soon. Honestly, we had a pretty good time to hold the rally in July and August. For example, Rally Finland, which would be a safe place to hold a rally, but they (WRC) did not want to hold any rally. Basically, we lost one month, and now we’re waiting for the second wave of the coronavirus, ” begins Tomijs Makinens, who in one of the previous interviews said that ” We hoped that the rally would take place in Latvia instead of the Estonian WRC stage. That would be fairer, because no one has driven on those roads. “
Makinens pointed out that not everyone agreed to resume the WRC season with “Rally Liepāja”. It is said that Hyundai was not ready to compete in Latvia, considering that this rally (August 14-16) is too early for their preparation for the WRC. “The decision was made by other teams that said they were not ready to resume the WRC season, but at the same time they were ready to go to other rallies (Hyundai started in Italian and Estonian rallies),” concludes Makinen.
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Photo: Hyundai Motorsport
As to whether the WRC season should have started sooner, Sebastian Ozier answered in the affirmative. ” Yes, it had to happen. It’s clear. I have said this before that I am sad to see that our series is one of the last to resume the season. We did not take advantage of the fact that the situation this summer was relatively satisfactory and was under control. I’m not really faced with the facts, but the truth is that some people’s job was to try to get it done (so that the season starts again later). Seeing regional, local and ERC rallies take place is disappointing at the WRC Championship. Everyone rides everywhere except us. That’s right, but there is nothing I can do about it. “
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