Crash.net:
Has it been a good year for tech in the WRC?
XM-P:
There has been no change. We don’t have any changes this year. Maybe in two or three years we can speak about it. But currently this year and last year it is exactly the same rules.
Crash.net:
There have been some new challenges this year though hasn’t there, for example, engines now have to do three events and so on?
XM-P:
It is a small change. It is now three years that we try to have better reliability with each part of the car. For example, as you just mentioned, the engine must now do three rallies, the gearbox one rally and we have five sets of shock absorbers for each event on gravel and tarmac. But it is not a big change because it happens very slowly.
Crash.net:
How tough has it been making the parts last that much longer?
XM-P:
It is a challenge – but not a big challenge. A big challenge, for example, is to change in one year the engine from a turbo to an atmospheric engine. That would be a big challenge. But if we have to strengthen the reliability of each part it is not a big challenge for us.
Crash.net:
Where do you think the next big advances are coming in terms of rally car technology?
XM-P:
It depends on the
FIA. Currently we don’t know exactly in which direction we will go. It is around Super 2000 but we don’t have many details. I don’t know exactly what will be the main challenge.
Crash.net:
What do you think of Super 2000 cars? How good are they?
XM-P:
It should be an interesting car for the customers. Currently it is a cheaper car. But if all the team work on this car for the world championship then the price will increase. I don’t know if it is the right route for the future. The technical rules seem good – but is it a good thing to have the same car for the customers and the official team? I don’t know.
Crash.net:
What do S2000 cars - and WRC technology - bring to road cars?
![Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, technical director at the Citroen Total World Rally Team [Pic credit: Citroen]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/401722.jpg)
