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Old 08-18-2003, 08:49 AM   #1
TimStevens
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Default Tommi to retire

http://www.autosport.com/newsitem.asp?id=24249&s=8

Quote:
"It's a decision I haven't made lightly," said Makinen, whose final event will be this year's Rally GB in November. "Picking the right time to stop isn't easy, but I'm happy with what I've achieved in the WRC, and I've been lucky to drive for two excellent teams. Realistically, there isn't really much for me to gain by carrying on at this level and my thinking is that it's better to stop when you're at the top."
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Old 08-18-2003, 08:52 AM   #2
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Lookling into the crystal ball:

Quote:
Tommi comes out of retirement to drive the new Mitsu Evo Rally Car.
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Old 08-18-2003, 08:55 AM   #3
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You forgot to add "very slowly" at the end of that quote
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Old 08-18-2003, 09:42 AM   #4
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Dammit, Tim! You scooped me - I was all set to paste the link and everything!

I kinda knew this was coming - either that he'd retire, or move back to Mitsubishi. As dominant as he was from 96-00, his performance over the last two seansons couldn't have been satisfying to anybody directly involved. He's is one of my all-time favorites.

Now, WHO'S COMING TO PRODRIVE?
Colin?
Carlos? (pleasepleaseplease)
Kristian Sohlberg?
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Old 08-18-2003, 09:49 AM   #5
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The replacement has been announced!!

http://www.worldrallynews.com/cgi-bi...1210498,13223,

Burnsy is coming back!!
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Old 08-18-2003, 09:49 AM   #6
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I think Carlos will be staying put. He seemed very happy and smug when talking about Colin's future at Citroen during the last rally

My predictions:

Mitsu:
The McRae bros.

Citroen:
Carlos and Sebastien

Subaru:
Burnsie (blech) and Petter
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Old 08-18-2003, 09:49 AM   #7
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Regardless of what car Tommi drove, or drives, his immeasurable contribution to the world of rally sport will never be forgotten. I will miss seeing him on the leaderboard, but more importantly I will miss his unwavering professionalism.

And I don't believe he will come back. This year he has been more involved in helping Petter than trying to go fast himself. And with all of his talk of tractors, speed boats, motor bikes, and various homes from Monte Carlo to Finland, he is one driver who won't have trouble living the quiet life.
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Old 08-18-2003, 09:59 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally posted by Pou
Burnsy is coming back!!
Well, looks like one of my predictions was correct! I wish it wasn't, though
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Old 08-18-2003, 10:51 AM   #9
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I have mixed feelings about this. I wish Tommi had had better results for the SWRT but mechanical problems, a string of hard luck, and let's face it, declining motivation on his part prevented that. It'd be nice to see him win one more before he goes but I can't see that happening. Maybe he'll do a little testing and development work a la Juha Kankkunen but even that doesn't seem likely. He will probably enjoy his retirement and get coaxed out to do a couple of runs for Mitsu along the lines of what Ari Vatanen did this year.

At least I have this, courtesy the SWRT:





As for Burns' return yes, I find it surprising given the legal wrangling when he left for Peugeot. Even in the lead for the drivers' championship this year he still doesn't seem quite comfortable in the 206. A lot of people don't like his personality but he does seem to have matured a bit since his first tour with SWRT. He also doesn't ball up cars with the alarming regularity of C. McRae either.

I have no idea whether SWRT will field a third car in '04. I for one would love to see what Gilles Panizzi could do with the Impreza (I may be alone on this one) but IIRC he is working on securing a full program(me) with Mitsu for next year.

Ed

(edit: spelling and problems with photo links; spare me the red x comments - I'll try linking again later.)

Last edited by lark6; 08-18-2003 at 10:57 AM.
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Old 08-18-2003, 12:34 PM   #10
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I really wish Tommi wasnt retiring, I think he could bust out of his funk and return to proper form in 2004.
Not only is he a great driver, but a great asset to the team. I dont think Petter's emergence as a top WRC driver and Tommi coming to subaru are coincidence.
Unfortunately, we all know that Burns is not a team player :thumbdown:
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Old 08-18-2003, 01:58 PM   #11
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i'm not happy to see burns replace tommi either but at least he is a consistent top finisher, so that will be good for the team.

about Panizzi, the rumor is that he will be at mitsu and besides, he couldn't be a third driver anyway. i can't help but imagine that subaru will finally run a 3rd car. Lapworth hinted at it earlier in the year. maybe Petter's brother Henning? and a McRae family at Mitsu? that would be amusing. but the real question now is who will be the second driver at pugville. i doubt Rovanpera. apparently not Panizzi. McRae then? i doubt that. that doesn't leave alot of potential canidates...
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Old 08-18-2003, 04:19 PM   #12
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Old 08-18-2003, 05:50 PM   #13
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I'm sad to see Tommi go as well. I think he still had some speed left in him. You don't see anyone saying that Tiger Woods' carrer is over!

I'm also not happy to see Burns back (although he's less annoying than McRae). But at least this way Petter can kick his ass in an equal car!
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Old 08-18-2003, 07:55 PM   #14
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I'm glad that Tommi finnally made up his mind and stopped costing the SWRT in fine prep work for no performance.

I'm a big fan of Tommi, but he should have left after last season. I know SWRT's plan was to get Tommi to rub off on Petter, but I think Petter has come to his own. Its always good to be a John Elway and leave on the top of your game.

Dang, I kinda would have wanted a T.M.E. WRX STi. I guess we have to settle for a RB6 STi then.......

Wah Wah wah wah wah!!!!!!
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Old 08-19-2003, 10:16 AM   #15
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It will definitely make things interesting...

I don't think Burns liked playing seconds to Marcos..I think they gave Gronholm the better stuff for the car as he was their #1 driver....

It would be nice to have Subaru have two top finishers next year!!
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Old 08-19-2003, 10:21 AM   #16
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Pug is going to be screwed if Marcus decides to quit after this year because of the rule changes... but methinks they'd make it worth his while
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Old 08-19-2003, 07:28 PM   #17
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WRXedUSA how could you say that.

Quote:
I'm glad that Tommi finnally made up his mind and stopped costing the SWRT in fine prep work for no performance
how many times has the car failled tommi (i.e. transmissions and broken suspensions) yea i know it's not a misto that he was used to for tank like durability., but peter had trans problems to. it seems to me since dave bought into bar that prodrive has suffered. and yes i do think tommi over drove the car sometimes.but when he put his mind into max attack mode their was no one better .

tommi good luck to you in what ever you decide to do.

mike kasch
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Old 08-19-2003, 11:19 PM   #18
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I'm sorry I feel that way, but its just true. I'm a huge fan of this rallying classic, and very pleased to be able to see him in action. Below is a summary of Tommi's results from SWRT.

2002

Monte Carlo-- Win
Sweden-- 2nd
Tour de Corse-- Wrecked
Catalunya-- Teams shoddy radiator prep job cost him, retired
Cyprus- 3rd
Argentina-- Remember that wreck? I do. Hindsight 20/20, coulda won
Acropolis- Hit a boulder, wheel went flying (I still dont know how he managed to hit that thing)
Safari- Mechanical failure Power Steering
Finland-- 6th
Germany-- 7th
San Remo-- Team mechanical prep error, drive shaft
New Zealand-- 2nd, great job
Austraila-- Underweight? ***? Still no explaination on that
GB-- 4th, good job

2003

Monte Carlo-- Off road, stuck
Sweden-- 2nd
Turkey-- 8th
New Zealand-- 7th and very unmotivated
Argentina-- Withdrew (by then Ive had it, then again his son was born and he went back to Jyvaskyla)
Acropolis-- 5th
Cyprus-- Broke a wheel, stuck
Germany-- Alternator Fiasco, he shoulda known that no alterator with a accessories on will drain the battery (stuck in traffic)
Finland-- Very, very slow, radio problem on day 2.

I wish Tommi well too, I hope that he makes a few encore showings like the all mighty Vatanen.
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Old 08-20-2003, 10:04 AM   #19
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Alot of those low finishes were due in no small part to small mechanical problems that didn't end his rally, but were enough to cost him an minute here, 30 seconds there.

I think it is time to retire. The guy is a legend but his if his heart isn't in it, then there is no reason for him to be out there risking life and limb, and taking up a seat in a top team.

Why do I say his heart isn't in it? Because he did by deciding to retire. Nobody is forcing him out of the sport, he is exiting on his own free will. If he doesn't see the point in continuing we should trust his judgment.

Maybe he can pull off one more win for old times sake.
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