Ode to the Skoda Octavia

[Marco_Wrc]

Cyprus, June 2003.

The last WRC rally for the Skoda Ocativa.



Next month in Germany, the Fabia will take its place.



Feel free to give a last salute to the Octavia and comment on its achievements.

I'll miss you

[z33guy]

just when i was starting to warm up to that big thing i cant wait to see how the new car does

[bigfrit]

Goodbye Octavia, you were too big, too ugly, too slow, too uderdevelopped, underfunded, you had everything against you, never won a battle on highest level, and sadly, you won't be missed.

The Skoda is dead, Long live the Skoda !


olivier

[ales]

Don't know why, but I actually like the Octavia. It, IMO, has pleasant lines... I'm quite disapointed it diodn't do well. And to be honest, the expectations of the Fabia are not too high at the moment, although the drivers seem really enthusiastic.

[Guido]

The same has happened to another VAG product. The Audi 200 Quattro. I kinda liked it, just like the Octavia, but it was just to big etc. to be succesfull.

[Marco_Wrc]

Originally posted by ales
Don't know why, but I actually like the Octavia. It, IMO, has pleasant lines...

That's exactly what I'm thinking of.
I didn't like the Octavia, until I took the time to take a good look at the car.
And right now, when I really begin to like this car it's getting replaced by a new type

[RallyRaider]

Originally posted by Tso
at least we know the Skoda's are tough and reliable...

Tough, reliable and SLOW. Not a combination that gets noticed. Better to be fast and fragile.

[Guido]

good is : Tough, reliable and SLOW

better is: fast and fragile.

Best is: tough, reliable and fast


of course

[Luka3000gt]

The Fabia has all to be a fast WRC car (apart from skoda's funds).
For Auriol it is alot better than the Octavia and is about at the same level of the others, let's see German Rally.........
Maybe the fabia can:22yikes: us

[Jimster]

I have a bit of faith in the Fabia- it is lighter for a start- hopefully the engine and handling has had a little tweaking- I still like the Octavia regardless

[ales]

What is this talk about Skoda budget. I admit I don't know the situation, but Skoda is one of the best selling manufacturers in Eastern Yurp, apart from being part of VAG, so why would the rally team be insufficiently funded? Anyone got any figures on this?

[Marco_Wrc]

If you take a look at their partners/sponsors I'd say there shouldn't be a problem with their budget.

[ales]

Originally posted by Marco_Wrc
If you take a look at their partners/sponsors I'd say there shouldn't be a problem with their budget.

Exactly what I would think! So what is this talk about them being on a low budget?

Besides, money isn't everything in motorsports (BAR, Jaguar, Mitsubishi during the last few years)

[ales]

All because Fabia WRC passed FIA homologation yesterday. Click the link for some more details, but here's that part that surprised me:

Once a manufacturer homologates a new car it can not at any point return to the old car, even though its homologation may still be valid. The Octavia WRC can still compete at WRC events in the hands of private drivers while the Skoda Motorsport Team must only use the Fabia WRC.

Didn't know that! So pretty much the bridges have been burnt, and the best of luck to Fabia!