Predict who will drive for who in 2006

[Rallying83]

Just for fun post your predictions for 2006 season. Granted it will be a long shot but give it a try anyway.

[Rallying83]

Here goes:
Ford: Marcus Gronholm/Toni Gardemeister
Skoda:Colin McRae/Mikko Hirvonen A Bengue
Subaru: Petter Solberg/S. Sarrazin/C. Atkinson
Mitsubishi: G Galli/H Rovanpera
Pr. Citroen: S. Loeb/M Martin

No top drives:
G Panizzi(as much as this hurts me to say)
F Duval(as much as the makes me happy to say ;D)
R Kresta

[Mitch]

Bring back the 3 car rule

Subaru:
Petter Solberg
Chris Atkinson
Kris Meeke
Stepahen Sarrazin

Ford:
Marcus Gronholm
Toni Gardemeister

?Markko Martin
?Francois Duval
?Mikko Hirvonen

Mitsubishi:
Gigi Galli
Harri Rovanpera

?Gilles Panizzi (Don't go! )
?Kristian Sohlberg (the forgotten Finn)

Skoda:
Alex Bengue

?Colin McRae
?Francois Duval
?Mikko Hirvonen

Citroen (Private):
Sebastien Loeb
?Manfred Stohl
?Janne Tuohino
?Roman Kresta
?Daniel Sola

MIGHT NOT GET A DRIVE:

GILLES PANIZZI
ROMAN KRESTA
DANIEL SOLA
MIKKO HIRVONEN
COLIN MCRAE
ALASTAIR MCRAE
MARKKO MARTIN
FRANCOIS DUVAL
HENNING SOLBERG

[tumbo]

I think that we are likely to see Markko back in the Ford alongside Gronholm, from what i've read I strongly doubt that Sarrazin will remain in the Subaru seat and Chris will be dropped back to a 3rd driver, who will be their second I don't know? Possibly even Markko
Galli/Rovanpera for the Mitsu squad is prolly right on the money

[Lita]

Ford: Gronholm & Martin

Subaru: Solberg-Atkinson-Sarrazin?

Mitsubishi: Garde?-Galli-Duval?

Skoda: McRae?-Bengue-Garde? if he's not at Mitsu.

Oreca/Citroen: Well Loeb-if they run another car-Sola?

There are lots of "if's and but's" here. And now I'm looking at it i want to change my picks again! But I think i could spend the next 2 hours re-doing it-ha! Garde is a big "if"-where he'll go is anyones guess. Also Sola has really impressed this season-especially on tarmac-could be a good pick-up for someone. McRae-well, we hear he's sorting it all out with Skoda but can they commit to him? Sarrazin-the last time I heard him mentioned it was with a glowing report by David Lapworth only 2 months ago-but a lot can change in two months. Martin-I really want him back at Ford-that's just a "dream team" pick for me.

[tumbo]

Citroen/Oreca: Loeb/ Possibly Sola I agree Lita

Ford: Gronholm/Martin

Mitsubishi: Galli/Harri

Subaru: Solberg/Atko/Another (not sarrazin)

Skoda: Bengue/McRae

I really doubt that Garde will get a seat unless the third driver rule is reinstated. Possibly he might end up alongside Mikko in a privateer team, maybe Bozian

[Lita]

Yeah, noticed you didn't pick Sarrazin for Subi. I don't really want to see him there either-but Lapworth seems to have a great deal of respect for him. I'm hoping they get rid of him and pick up someone like Hirvonen who has greatly matured.

[tumbo]

Don't give Hirvonen the Subaru yet. Give him more time, he can set fast times but still goes off the road a bit. I was surpirsed Subaru went for a 3 car lineup this yr, but as in 01 Sarrazin has been dropped to the sidelines and only done the Tarmac events, even though he was meant to do gravel as well. Considering his latest retirement I don't think he is keeping Favour w/ Lapworth, remember that it is still Atko's first yr in a wrc car but Sarrazin has had time to mature

[Lita]

Maybe Subaru will resort back to two cars? If this happens it will be Atko and Solberg-I don't think anybody will argue with that.

[tumbo]

I have heard a lot of rumours flying online that if Atko stays w/ Subaru and doesn't go to Ford he will not get a full program. I don't think this indicates that Sarazzin will stay (maybe Panizzi could move to subaru since mitsu have shafted him) but after this last weekend's performance in Catalunya I feel that it is a bit harsh to treat him this way. Having said that Mikko was dropped totally so any seat is good