Hyundai, with an Accent…Hyundai, avec et sans Accent…

The encouraging debut of the Hyundai Accent WRC in Sweden in 2000 was eclipsed by maiden world class wins for the Peugeot 206 WRC and Marcus Grönholm.

After two seasons campaigning the surprising Hyundai Coupé in the so-called ‘F2’ world championship for two-litre cars, the Korean make turned its attention to the WRC’s top level in 2000. The programme was announced in September of the previous year and Britain’s MSD (Motor Sport Developments) was appointed to run it and develop the Accent WRC.

On paper, the car had plenty in its favour. Its length and track were identical to those of the Ford Focus and its wheelbase was similar to that of the 206. Meanwhile, its Mountune-prepared engine featured a Garrett turbo mated to a longitudinal X-Trac gearbox, and the machine was equipped with Ohlins dampers and Michelin tyres.

On February 10, 2000, two Accent WRCs rolled off the Swedish Rally start ramp in Karlstad, driven by local star Kenneth Eriksson (N°14) and Scotland’s Alister McRae (N°15). The pair faced stiff opposition from two Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIs, two Subaru Impreza WRCs, two Ford Focus RS WRCs, three Seat Cordoba WRCs and, above all, two 206 WRCs, with Peugeot looking to avenge their bitter disappointment on the recent Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Eriksson hit trouble on SS1 (‘Sagen’) which saw the Swede come 34^th, 50 seconds off the fastest time, while McRae completed the test in 15^th place, one second-per-kilometre down on Radström. Once his turbo problem had been resolved, Eriksson bounced back to claim four top-10 times and complete Day 1 in 17^th spot, two places clear of his team-mate who had been slowed by gearbox issues.

The two Hyundais went on to finish their debut outing in 13^th and 14^th places, but the media’s attention was above all focused on the maiden victory of the Peugeot 206 WRC in the hands of Grönholm after a thrilling battle with Tommi Mäkinen.

Although the Accent project’s chief engineer Nick Clipson made frequent modifications to the car, and despite the presence of some notoriously quick drivers like Kankkunen, Loix and Schwarz who secured some commendable results, the Accent WRC failed to finish on a WRC podium. It came close (one fourth place) and its performance positioned it between the day’s top WRC machines (Peugeot, Ford, Subaru) and the pack (Seat, Skoda, Mitsubishi WRC). The Accent WRC’s career came to an end after the 2003 Rally Australia.

More than a decade later, Hyundai’s comeback to the world championship is founded on radically different resources, but none of the mechanics or engineers from the Accent era are to be found at Hyundai-Shell WRT 2014, nor at M-Sport or Volkswagen…

Les débuts de la Hyundai Accent WRC au Rallye de Suède 2000 avaient été quelque peu éclipsés par la première victoire mondiale de la Peugeot 206 WRC et de Marcus Grönholm. Les résultats avaient pourtant été positifs.

Après deux saisons passées à courir après le titre mondial F2 (2-Litres) avec une improbable Hyundai Coupé, la marque coréenne s’était lancée parmi l’élite du WRC en 2000. L’annonce avait été effectuée en septembre 99 et la structure britannique MSD (Motor Sport Developments) avait été missionnée pour développer l’Accent WRC et gérer le programme.

Sur le papier, la Hyundai Accent WRC avait tout pour réussir : longueur et voies identiques à la Focus, empattement proche de la 206, moteur Montune, turbo Garrett, boîte de vitesse X-Trac en position longitudinale, suspensions Ohlins, pneus Michelin…

Le 10 février 2000, deux Accent WRC étaient sur le podium de départ du Rallye de Suède à Karlstad. Le Suédois Kenneth Eriksson portait le N°14, l’Ecossais Alister McRae le N°15. La concurrence s’annonçait rude pour ces débuts mondiaux avec deux Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI, deux Subaru Impreza WRC, deux Ford Focus RS WRC, trois Seat Cordoba WRC et surtout deux Peugeot 206 WRC revanchardes après le camouflet du Monte-Carlo.

Première spéciale et premiers soucis pour Kenneth Eriksson, seulement 34^e à 50 secondes du meilleur temps, alors qu’Alister a bouclé Sagen en 15^e position à 1 s/km du leader Radström. Une fois les problèmes de turbo résolus, Eriksson est entré quatre fois dans le top-ten pour conclure la 1^ère journée au 17^e rang, tandis que son équipier (19^e) avait connu des ennuis de boîte de vitesses.

Pour leurs grands débuts, les Hyundai Accent WRC ont rallié l’arrivée en 13^e et 14^e positions, un peu dans l’anonymat médiatique général il faut l’avouer puisque Marcus Grönholm avait offert la 1^ère victoire mondiale à la Peugeot 206 WRC à l’issue d’un superbe duel avec Tommi Mäkinen.

Malgré des évolutions régulières proposées par l’ingénieur en chef Nick Clipson, des pilotes de pointe (Kankkunen, Loix, Schwarz) et quelques résultats très honorables, la Hyundai Accent WRC n’est jamais parvenue à se hisser sur un podium mondial. Il n’a pas manqué grand-chose (meilleur résultat 4^e), mais ses performances la plaçaient entre les meilleures WRC (Peugeot, Ford, Subaru) et le second peloton (Seat, Skoda, Mitsubishi WRC). Les graves problèmes financiers entre le siège coréen et MSD ont précipité la fin de l’Accent WRC dont la dernière apparition officielle remonte au Rallye d’Australie 2003.

Dix ans plus tard, le retour de Hyundai en WRC s’effectue dans des conditions et avec des moyens bien différents. Aucun « survivant », mécaniciens ou ingénieurs, de l’époque Accent ne fait partie du team Hyundai-Shell WRT 2014, pas même chez M-Sport ou Volkswagen…

A slow-motion shakedown / Un Shakedown au ralenti

Mads Ostberg, Jari-Matti Latvala and Kris Meeke topped the order on this morning’s shakedown. However, most drivers chose not to push too hard in order to save their studs…

The Priority 1 and 2 drivers have an allocation of 28 tyres for this week’s Rally Sweden, including shakedown. As a consequence, given the lack of snow on the stages, they preferred to take care of their studs during their mandatory four attempts at this morning’s test run.

Only Latvala, Ostberg and Meeke turned on a little speed in order to evaluate the handling of their respective cars as the conditions worsened progressively. The best time (1m55.8s) ended up in the Norwegian’s hands after he beat the Finn (1m56.2s) on his final pass.

Hyundai will be reassured with Neuville’s fifth place (1m58.0s) at his second attempt, just ahead of Irishman Craig Breen who is driving a WRC car (Ford) for the first time here. Henning Solberg (4th) and Juho Hanninen (7th) also squeezed beneath the two-minute mark.

World champion Sébastien Ogier was a lowly 10^th: “I wanted to be first into the stage this morning to see what I can expect tomorrow [Thursday]. That’s when I posted my best time, so it was a positive sign,” related last year’s rally Sweden winner. “After that, I just drove slowly to spare my tyres. This promises to be a very complex rally.”

The week began badly for Citroën’s Kris Meeke who clouted a stone and damaged his steering. “When you have a problem on shakedown, the rally always goes well,” commented the team’s Chief Engineer Didier Clément as he waited for the DS3 WRC’s return on a trailer.

There was lots of talk about the weather this morning. The latest forecast predicts overnight snow which could be up to 3cm deep on SS2 as it continues to fall on Thursday morning. Rain is then expected on Friday, followed by more snow on Saturday…

Competitors now face this evening’s super-special at Karlstad’s hippodrome (1.9km) at 7pm, just after the Historic competitors have been through. It could turn out to be the snowiest and iciest stage of the rally!

Mads Ostberg, Jari-Matti Latvala et Kris Meeke ont signé les meilleurs chronos du Shakedown, mais la plupart des pilotes ont préféré rouler sagement pour économiser leurs clous…

Les pilotes Prioritaires 1 & 2 disposent d’un quota de 28 pneumatiques pour le Shakedown et la course et, vu le faible enneigement dans les spéciales de Rallye de Suède 2014, ils ont pris la décision d’économiser leurs pneus cloutés ce matin sur les quatre passages obligatoires du Shakedown.

Seuls Jari-Matti Latvala, Mads Ostberg et Kris Meeke ont voulu insister pour jauger le comportement de leur voiture sur les pistes dégradées par les passages. Le Norvégien a fini par arracher le meilleur temps (1min55s8) des mains de Jari-Matti Latvala (1min56s2) à sa 4^e et dernière tentative.

Thierry Neuville a rassuré l’équipe Hyundai en réalisant le 5^e meilleur temps (1min58s0) à son second passage. Pour ses débuts sur une WRC, l’Irlandais Craig Breen a lui aussi été crédité d’1min58s4. Henning Solberg (4ème) et Juho Hanninen (7ème) sont également passés sous la barre des 2min00s.

Sébastien Ogier n’a réalisé que le 10^e meilleur temps : « J’ai voulu passer en 1^er pour voir les conditions qui m’attendent demain et c’est au 1^er passage que j’ai signé mon meilleur temps, donc c’est plutôt positif », racontait le champion du monde et vainqueur sortant en Suède. « Ensuite, on a roulé plus lentement pour économiser les pneus. Ce rallye s’annonce très compliqué ».

Le Rallye de Suède 2014 a mal commencé pour le pilote Citroën Kris Meeke qui a tapé une pierre et endommagé sa direction au Shakedown. « Quand on a des soucis au déverminage ou au Shakedown, le rallye se passe toujours bien », commentait l’ingénieur en chef Didier Clément en attendant le retour de la Citroën DS3 WRC sur la remorque.

Les conditions météo étaient au cœur des conversations ce matin. Les dernières prévisions prévoient des chutes de neige cette nuit et peut-être 3 cm dans l’ES2 demain matin. Il devrait neiger une bonne partie de la matinée. Ensuite, c’est la pluie qui est annoncée pour vendredi avant un retour de la neige samedi.

Ce soir, les concurrents vont disputer la Superspéciale (1,9 km) sur l’hippodrome de Karlstad à partir de 19h00, juste après les voitures historiques. C’est peut-être là qu’il y aura le plus de glace et de neige pendant le rallye !

Rétromobile guide 2014: What not to miss in Paris

The big Rétromobile week in Paris is almost upon us – and promises numerous special exhibits, a diverse range of cars for sale, and no fewer than three major auctions. We summarise what you shouldn’t miss at the show…

Special show themes: Land speed records, Alpines and Maharajas

In addition to the offerings of numerous dealers, some very special visitors are waiting in the wings of the Paris spectacular. One display will see daring mid-20s land-speed drivers John Parry-Thomas and Malcolm Campbell honoured: the streamlined machine ‘Babs’ (in which Parry-Thomas tragically lost his life) will show off its military bomber-sourced 27-litre V12, while Campbell’s 500HP Bluebird Napier will provide a static hint of its proven 175mph potential.

Elsewhere, paying tribute to Alpine founder Jean Rédélé, 13 prominent road and competition cars will be gathered from the collections of marque enthusiasts. The exhibition of Maharaja cars from the 20s and 30s promises to be even more majestic, with the famous ‘Swan Car’ heading up a list of 15 of these impressively customised creations. For further information, see retromobile.com.

Purchasable jewels – The best cars on sale

More than 420 exhibitors will present their wares, which include not only classic cars but also motorcycles, art, books, scale models and collectables. In anticipation, we’ve asked the dealers what they intend to bring to the floor here.

RM’s auction on Wednesday 5 February 2014

Although Artcurial has traditionally hosted the Rétromobile auction, 2014 will see RM attempt to gain a large slice of the action. The Canadian auction house will bring 10 Le Mans-style cars back to the country that hosts the world-famous endurance race – you can read more here. The previews take place on Tuesday 4 (11:00 – 22:00) and Wednesday 5 February (9:00 – 17:00), with the auction commencing at 19:00 on Wednesday.

All lots from RM’s Paris auction can be found in the Classic Driver Market.

Bonhams’ auction on Thursday 6 February 2014

The British auction house has previously used the Rétromobile sale as a springboard into the classic car season, and this year is no different. Notable lots include a lavishly restored 1968 Ferrari 275 GTB/4, a 1929 Bugatti Type 35B Grand Prix, and a 1989 Porsche 962C wearing Brun Motorsport’s Jägermeister livery. The consigners have also shown their humorous side, as you will see in our round-up of the oddest offerings from the Paris auctions.

Pre-sale viewings take place between 9:00 and 17:30 on Wednesday 5 February, and again on Thursday 6 February from 8:00 until the auction start. Automobilia lots begin at 10:30, with motorcycles at 12:30 and motor cars at 14:00.

All lots from Bonhams’ Paris auction can be found in the Classic Driver Market.

Artcurial auction on 7 and 8 February 2014

The final auction of the week is a double-header from Artcurial. The first day will see a 200-lot automobilia sale followed by a car and motorcycle sale at 16:00, with highights including a Ferrari 166MM with racing history and a rare Citroën SM Cabriolet. Adding to the list of more unusual cars being sold in Paris will be the mustard yellow Fiat Shelette by Philippe Stark.

All lots from Artcurial’s Paris auction in the Classic Driver Market.

The next day at 15:00, the intriguing ‘Solo Alfa’ auction will take place. More than 40 prominent cars from the marque’s history will go under the hammer, with highlights including a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS and a 1965 Giulia TZ Coupé.

All lots from Artcurial’s ‘Solo Alfa’ auction in the Classic Driver Market.

BMW R1100GS BY CAFE RACER DREAMS

If you’re planning a trip to North Africa, you need a bike that is absolutely bulletproof. Pedro García knows how to take a motorcycle apart and rebuild it, and he’s made his living transforming everything from vintage Honda CBs to modern Triumph Scramblers. But for his impending trip to Morocco, he’s chosen a BMW GS.

Café Racer Dreams’ 42nd build is a BMW R1100GS with a difference. Strong and reliable, the GS is the perfect bike for rocky roads and long hours in the saddle. But it’s not going to win any beauty contests, and there are a helluva lot of them around. So Pedro couldn’t resist adding a little CRD magic to his own personal ride.

His first stop was designer Sylvain Berneron, better known as Holographic Hammer. Berneron sketched out a makeover for the 1998-year machine, and Pedro transformed the ink into metal.

The core of the bike is wisely unchanged, but Pedro stripped the frame back to the metal and refinished it with the toughest black powdercoat he could find. The exhaust system and seat unit are bespoke, and the stock oil cooler has been relocated high up into the airstream—just above the Ducati Monster S2R headlight and behind the Motogadget instrument. Eagle eyes will notice that the front fender has been trimmed down in size, and Pedro has also installed a fresh set of Continental TKC80 rubber.

It’s a build that doesn’t compromise the famed ruggedness of the GS, but adds a dash of Spanish flair. Who says custom bikes have to be impractical?

Check out previous CRD builds in the Bike EXIF Archives, and keep up with CRD’s news on their Facebook page or website.

via BIKEEXIF