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| Andre Citroen |
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It’s 1873 and Gustav family just moved from Warsaw to Paris. They change their last name to Citroen, sound familiar? Their last child, André was a graduate of the École Polytechnique in 1900. In that year he visited Poland, the birthland of his mother. During that holiday he saw a carpenter working on a set of gears with a fish-bone structure. These gears were less noisy and more efficient. He saw potential and bought that patent. He worked for some time in the Mors car factory, where he became one of the leading men. Later in 1912 he started his own factory. The logo that represent factory was inspired by double helical gears, patent that he bought during his holiday in Poland, that logo stands to this days. During World War I, Andre was responsible for mass production of armaments. After war in 1919 factory change their production to building cars. By the 1932, factory goes to be 4th largest car factory in the world. Following years factory produced legendary cars such as Citroen tip A, DS, 2CV... but they find some financial problems that led them to bankruptcy. First they was bought by Michelin, then Fiat and finally Peugeot. They become PSA group (Peugeot Société Anonyme).
We finally come to subject of our story. It’s 1999 World Rally Championship, hot Spain, a small family car wins, behind the wheel is “Le petit bug”, Philippe Bugalski, the man who tested all rally Citroens. Bugalski played a major role in shaping the sport's modern era, as the cars he helped develop achieved unprecedented success. That 1999 Citroen Xsara Kit Car was not part of WRC regulation, it was F2 class. The car was ligther and it was better prepared for tarmac. FIA imposed 40 kg extra weight and air intake restrictor for F2 Kit Cars, effectively rendering them uncompetitive against WRCars. Citroen needed a new car if they wanted to challenge for top honours. The PSA group was not delighted because Peugeot had already competed in the WRC, but one man was very persistent. This man was Citroen's sports director and former driver Guy Fréquelin. After much rejection, the Citroen Xsara WRC prototype was introduced. Car with 310 horses 2.0 turbo engine, 570nm. Even after the press was presented the Xsara WRC prototype company officials announced that they would not fund the project.
It’s 1873 and Gustav family just moved from Warsaw to Paris. They change their last name to Citroen, sound familiar? Their last child, André was a graduate of the École Polytechnique in 1900. In that year he visited Poland, the birthland of his mother. During that holiday he saw a carpenter working on a set of gears with a fish-bone structure. These gears were less noisy and more efficient. He saw potential and bought that patent. He worked for some time in the Mors car factory, where he became one of the leading men. Later in 1912 he started his own factory. The logo that represent factory was inspired by double helical gears, patent that he bought during his holiday in Poland, that logo stands to this days. During World War I, Andre was responsible for mass production of armaments. After war in 1919 factory change their production to building cars. By the 1932, factory goes to be 4th largest car factory in the world. Following years factory produced legendary cars such as Citroen tip A, DS, 2CV... but they find some financial problems that led them to bankruptcy. First they was bought by Michelin, then Fiat and finally Peugeot. They become PSA group (Peugeot Société Anonyme).
We finally come to subject of our story. It’s 1999 World Rally Championship, hot Spain, a small family car wins, behind the wheel is “Le petit bug”, Philippe Bugalski, the man who tested all rally Citroens. Bugalski played a major role in shaping the sport's modern era, as the cars he helped develop achieved unprecedented success. That 1999 Citroen Xsara Kit Car was not part of WRC regulation, it was F2 class. The car was ligther and it was better prepared for tarmac. FIA imposed 40 kg extra weight and air intake restrictor for F2 Kit Cars, effectively rendering them uncompetitive against WRCars. Citroen needed a new car if they wanted to challenge for top honours. The PSA group was not delighted because Peugeot had already competed in the WRC, but one man was very persistent. This man was Citroen's sports director and former driver Guy Fréquelin. After much rejection, the Citroen Xsara WRC prototype was introduced. Car with 310 horses 2.0 turbo engine, 570nm. Even after the press was presented the Xsara WRC prototype company officials announced that they would not fund the project.
In the first year of
its participation, Citroen of six races in which it competes wins on one, and
has a podium position on the other. The following year, Loeb began his
story with the first WRC victory, 200km
from his home in Germany. The year 2003 is the first full season in which Xsara
is participating throughout the season. Loeb becomes a vice-champion losing the
title for one point. Citroën Xsara remains competing as a factory team until
2005 when the development of the DS3 begins. Loeb wins 3 titles with this car,
and had 28 wins. Citroen Xsara recorded a total of 32 victories, making it one
of the most successful racing cars ever on the list of winners. When they ask Red Bull Skoda team boss, Armin Swarz,
why is Loeb so good. He said that he is great driver, who doesn’t make mistakes
and the Xsara was one of the most reliable rally cars ever made. They were
simply the perfect couple.
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| Citroen Team: Sainz, Loeb, Mcrea |
The model that I present to you today is a model from 2006, when Citroen officially switched all its resources to developing a new model, and it did not exist as a factory team. They hired the Kronos Total Citroën World Rally Team, which did not prevent Loeb from winning the title, watching the TV. Loeb created so much advantage in the championship that even the last four races he did not take part in, as he broke his arm, did not help his main competitor to beat him. To be fair enough, he won a championship with a difference of one point.
Finally we come to model of our story. It’s 2006 and Rally Cyprus. It is 300 km of dust, sharp rocks and temperatures exceeding 30 degrees. The car that won that rally is model that I present to you. The model is manufactured by Ixo, in the scale 1/43. This is not a classic newspaper cheap model. It is limited edition of 2000 pieces, who comes in a special package. What distinguishes this model from others is drivers who are inside the model, and this is something that attracted my attention. Those drivers separates this model from most of others, as far as rally models are concerned.
All stickers are in
place, the color is excellent. The model is diecast, but the rear spoiler is
plastic, as well as drivers and whole interior. From outside I don’t have
really any complaints, maybe pins in stop lights.
The interior is well-designed, there is a spare wheel, two figures, both driver and passenger. If we look in the detail, we might realise the fact that the figurines are exactly the same. Unlike some other models, the roll bar is painted in gray, and there are racing seats with decals of Recaro. There's room for improvement, but if you consider price of this model, around 25 euros, you really should not expect it more.
Some other manufacturers have dealt with this model (more precisely the models represented by Citroen before 2006), which are: Vitesse, Norev and AutoArt, and in terms of resins models Heller and Provence. In the 1/18 scale you can find models, made by: Burago, Sun Star, AUTOart, Solido and IXO.
The interior is well-designed, there is a spare wheel, two figures, both driver and passenger. If we look in the detail, we might realise the fact that the figurines are exactly the same. Unlike some other models, the roll bar is painted in gray, and there are racing seats with decals of Recaro. There's room for improvement, but if you consider price of this model, around 25 euros, you really should not expect it more.
Some other manufacturers have dealt with this model (more precisely the models represented by Citroen before 2006), which are: Vitesse, Norev and AutoArt, and in terms of resins models Heller and Provence. In the 1/18 scale you can find models, made by: Burago, Sun Star, AUTOart, Solido and IXO.
French Bulldog
Reviewed by Racing stories 43
on
4:12 AM
Rating:
Reviewed by Racing stories 43
on
4:12 AM
Rating:
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