Gutted to learn about Richards illness, hope he recovers 100% for 2005. Obvious question in everyones mind though. Who will partner Solberg? David Lapworth has said they will make an announcement shortly. A very difficult decision as that person knows they are only in it for a year.

Do you think the younger McRae (Alastair) will have a look in or have I missed something and he already has a seat for next year??

clin is the favourite

i mean colin

Suspect Marko Martin is the favourite.... with Colin 2nd in line.

i would be surprised if Marko wasnt with Ford. It's looking very likely Ford will compete, although with a smaller budget.

I have no idea who it should be, but I know that I would love it to be Colin, I hate to think that we have seen the last of him in the WRC.

Heard Rovanpera being dumped by Peugeot so is he in the shake up. Its only for next year then Richard willbe back hopefully.

I'd like to see either of the McRaes in the Impreza next season. Alistair showed what he's capable of in a top car a few seasons ago on the Network Q as it was then. Given a full programme with a highly competitive car maybe he can finally live up to his full potential, although i'm sure i heard somewhere he's tied up with Mitsubishi for next season.

Colin back in the Impreza would be simply awesome!

i hope burnsie gets better real soon fair play to him he is 1 awsome driver. i am well gutted he aint in 4 next year

i think good old COLIN is gonna be offered this subaru contract just for a year tho

BURNSIE what an awsum driver and i really hope he gets well soon he's got all the support he needs and fair play he put out a lovely comment in the press thanking every1 for they support

GET WELL SOON RICHARD !!!

to be honest i think good old colin is goin to get a 1 year contract while richard is recovering

first of all, get well soon!

right colin mcrae but with a new co-driver, robert reid!

or if ford dont commit, marko martin.

first of all, get well soon!

right colin mcrae but with a new co-driver, robert reid!

or if ford dont commit, marko martin.

Me as replacement, can just see the headlines, first woman to win WRC championship... Ooops, sorry dreaming there, I think it could well be Colin, although it would be nice to see Alistair in a Scooby.

Don't want to pour cold water on things, but really can't see it being Colin McRae. I think he's lost his motivation and he needs a sebatical to decide whether he wants to come back. And he wouldn't like being Burns' replacement under any circumstances, he'd have preferred to be offered a drive upfront rather than being a second choice. (and I've not even mentioned money)

No, assuming Ford run some programme and keep their current drivers, I would say it's more likely to be some young gun, or as a real outside bet how about Arai to keep Subaru happy and generate fresh interest in Japan now they are hosting a round of the WRC ?

Better start with a "Get well soon Richard".

Although I think it would be interesting to see Colin back in a Sub I can't see it happening. Interesting to mention Arai.

Who else is driveless for next year?
What is Robert Reid going to get up to?

All the best to RB and his family, here's wishing for a speedy recovery. Can't wait to see him back in a scoob for 2005.

I agree that Subaru and Prodrive would look in-house first. Arai would be great for the brand image especially in Japan. Not sure what his speciality road surface is? so maybe a good consistent all-rounder is required. Rovanpera lacks confidence and consistency so my vote goes to Alistair McRae.

Chris.

I reckon SWRT should give a chance to someone young, up and coming rather going for and "oldie" like McRae, who is clearly not as fast as Loeb or Solberg, even Sainz this year!

And Citroen won the Manufacturers title.

No idea who's in the JWRC, but Seb Loeb did that, and look at him now. SWRT/Prodrive should look at potential talent for the future I reckon. Good opportunity.

How about Kristian Solberg even...Petter's bro!

I wouldn't like to put money on anyone at the moment, but if I did, it would be on either Markko Martin or Pasi Hagstrom.

Best Wishes Burnsie! Hard to believe that the day before he blacked-out at the wheel, I was watching him testing his 206WRC and he was on the limit - a black-out 24 hours earlier and things could have been so much different.

Personally, I'd love to see Colin back in blue overalls. But with him doing the Paris-Dakar means that he's not even available for the Monte - so hows that gonna work?

Maybe Subaru will bring in a specialist for the Monte and then let Colin take over? Or maybe even bring Alister in for the full season. The mind boggles!

Although my first choice would be Colin Mc, if he doesn't get the drive, then (in this order)
1. Chris Meeks
2. Alistar Mc
3. Mark Higgins
4. Marko Martin

Top three choices:-
Colin Mcrae
Mark Higgins
Gwyndaf Evans (wishful thinkin)

Gwyndaf??? Youre having a Girraffe!!
1) Colin - But Dakkar testing kinda gets in the way plus it finishes 5 days before the Monte starts. No time to test or Recce.
2) Tosh Arai - Drives for Subaru and has done alot of work for them in the past. And he is Japanese which is handy Subaru being Japanese and there being a round there next year.
3) Marko - But i Kinda Hope that Ford will find the budget.
4) Juha - Pull him out of retirement!
5) Tommi Makinnen - Pull him back out of retirement
6) Some young Driver!
The list and possibilities are endless.

Here's some stats for Toshihiro Arai:
http://weasel.student.utwente.nl/~rallying/index.php?type=profile&driverid=92

Having had a couple of days to get used to the the idea of Richard & Robert not in the Subaru next year, yes think Mark Higgins would be a good idea, in my opinion that guy never got the breaks in the WRC he deserved!

.......but any replacement 'strictly temporary!'

Every one forgot Pasi Hagstrom,Subaru's test driver.

Yeah GM, you forgot Hagstrom ;)

Damn, so I didn't. Maybe Ski turned straight to page 2. ;)

sorry guys. Doh!