Carlos Sainz decides to retire

[pimp racer]

Noo... what is happing to the WRC nowadays?

Carlos Sainz decides to retire
A difficult decision for an amazing Champion [21/10/04 - 15:04]


Photo Rally-Live.com
Carlos Sainz : an inspiration for
the new generation of drivers

ne week before his home event in Spain, Citro�n driver Carlos Sainz has decided to retire at the end of this season after an impressive career in rallying. Twice World Champion and the record holder for the number of wins, Carlos Sainz will leave the sport but his success will remain the reference in WRC.

In his usual sportsmanship, Sainz explains the reasons behind his decision and takes the time to thank everyone involved in his career:

"During the last month and after 16 years participating in the World Rally Championship I have decided to make a big change in my life in order to have a little more time to spend with my family.

"During these last two years we have been able to win the Manufacturers' World Rally Championship with Citroen and we have also been fighting for the podium in each rally, achieving the record of 26 victories in the last Rally of Argentina.

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"After all this, I think it is a good moment for me to leave the World Rally Championship. It has been a extremely difficult decision, mainly because I still enjoy a lot every single rally.The fact that I am at the moment in the best team with the possibility of continuing during the next season, makes this decision even more complicated.

"I would like to thank Citroen for these last two years of my career where I have been enjoying and at the same time working with the best team. It has been a great pleasure to work in a such a profesional and capable team where since the first engineer until the last mechanic the only objective is the victory. The Citroen team has shown that it is the best and I hope that in the future we can somhow continue to have some kind of relationship. I would like to thank as well the support and confidence that Mr. Satinet, Magda Salarich and Guy Frequelin have shown me and I hope I haven't deceived them.


Photo Rally-Live.com
"Thank you to everybody!" - Sainz

"I also want to thank the whole national and international press that have followed me all over the world with their support and collaboration throughout these years. I would also like to thank very specially the thousands of fans who have shown me their affection in all the countries. I would not like to end without thanking all the members of the team with whom I have been working, as well as to the Manufactures that I have been racing with; Seat, Renault, Ford, Toyota, Lancia, Subaru and Citroen, and to my friends of Pirelli and Michelin, with whom I have shared many hours of effort and work.

"Of course a special mention as well to my sponsors, for their confidence during these years, specially to Telef�nica and Repsol, and I would not like forget all my codrivers, Juanjo Lacalle, Antonio Boto, Luis Moya and Marc Mart� that have been working with me throughout all these years.

"I would also like to thank The Spanish Federation, The Real Automobile Club of Catalunya, The Real Automobile Club of Spain and The Spanish Ministery of Sports that have always been next to me. And to finish up I would like to thank all my friends and my family specially my wife Reyes who has been and incredible support. I apologize if I forget somebody, thats why I repeat thank you to everybody."


Taken from - http://rally.racing-live.com/en/ind...m/en/headlines/news/detail/041021150423.shtml

 

[DRIFT4EVA]

It's rather old news, But yes it is sad to hear. Despite his proven capabilities that he can still win rallies. He obviously knows when enough is enough. The youngens have taken over.

 

[Firestarter75]

What do you mean whats happening to WRC? He has been running for 16 years, that is a very long time. Frankly when it gets to the point you don't want to wake up in the morning and drive its time to quit and Carlos may very well have reached that point. You have to have the passion to go all out and compete at that level, the passion both makes you go fast but keeps your mind incredibly focused to the task at hand. If it ain't there and you are just flogging the car for the hell of it you are endangering yourself, your co-driver and other competitors. Better to stop when you realize enough is enough then continue on. His mark has been left on rally and he will never be forgotten.

 

[pimp racer]

What do you mean whats happening to WRC? He has been running for 16 years, that is a very long time. Frankly when it gets to the point you don't want to wake up in the morning and drive its time to quit and Carlos may very well have reached that point. You have to have the passion to go all out and compete at that level, the passion both makes you go fast but keeps your mind incredibly focused to the task at hand. If it ain't there and you are just flogging the car for the hell of it you are endangering yourself, your co-driver and other competitors. Better to stop when you realize enough is enough then continue on. His mark has been left on rally and he will never be forgotten.

I mean that I am sad that he is leaving. I am not implying that I want him to stay or that I want him to go. I am just sad that the WRC is now gonna be a bit not as interseting.

 

[DRIFT4EVA]

I believe Boring is the word you were looking for there.

How? Sainz has only won the occasional rally.

 

[Firestarter75]

Boring? No, that is not the word I was looking for. Another word would be burnout, I have expieranced this as a marshall. If you don't wake up in the morning of the race and have a feeling of really looking forward to the event then thats a good sign you have had too much. He could very well have hit it. Remember its not just the Rallying you have to do, its the testing and keeping yourself in top physical condition. As you age you have to work harder to keep yourself at that level. After awhile it just wears on you and family can magnify this as you miss important things in your kids life. He may want to do something else, who knows.

Sainz has only won the occasional rally? Yeah, on occasion he would win... for a total of 26 wins making him the driver with the most rally victories.

 

[DRIFT4EVA]

I was talking to pimp racer

I was meaning as in recently. Since Citroen.

 

[Omnis]

carlos sainz is the boss.

he is so cool....he kinda reminds me of my grandfather and dad as well, both of which i havent seen in a long time....dont ask me why...he kind of looks like them and my dad is a great driver too.

i hope im an awesome driver as he is when i reach his age. i dont think it's that sad that he is leaving though...he will be with his family, and he might even be back on as a commentator or even in the driver's seat in a couple years as well.

 

[DRIFT4EVA]

He may by his own car and compete when he wants to. Or he could go play some Football for a club. Not Proffesional. If anyone knew that he had to decide between rallying or playing for Real Madrid. It's obvious what he chose.

 

[Omnis]

isnt he Spain's highest paid athelete/driver?

i think i remember then commenting about that at one point. not sure if he still is though.

 

[DRIFT4EVA]

If so. I'd be expecting Fernando Alonso to pass that mark at some stage.

I remember seeing it on an episode of Rally XS.

 

[Omnis]

thats very true.