Yesterday's Autocar.....

[AndyRAC]

While flicking through Autocar yesterday in WHSmith’s, I came across an interesting article by Chris Harris. His main point was how apart from MNews, it’s completely ignored by the press- and how many people knew the season had started, and that J-M Latvala was now the youngest winner of a WRC event. Also compare an event of 20-25 years ago with one now; noise, crowds, spectacle, cars. His main problem was 4WD cars – what is the point of them anymore – how many 4WD Focii or C4’s do you see on the road/showroom. Bring back RWD was the main gist of his point – interesting to see the view of an’outsider’ to the sport.

[cal]

I agree with him through a marketing view point - but on the other hand, how many RWD Focuses or C4's do you see on the road? I find it hard seeing them changing their cars to RWD.

[sal]

You cant buy many single seater v10 cars in the showroom but it's not doing Formula ones popularity any harm. If only it was as simple to fix as this journo is saying!

[DonJippo]

Maybe one should be working harder on getting a new real talent from UK to WRC rather than whining of the current state and dreaming about the past.

[sal]

In lat months Top Gear the Finnish svengali said he might consider taking on a Foreign driver. Perhaps you could lend him to us DJ?

[sal]

Its funny that journos are happy to take drives that might have gone to other drivers when the opportunity presents itself. In this months Evo one of their hacks is being given a free drive by Suzuki in the UK in their one make challenge in the BRC yet they arnt running a works team anymore. Perhaps the guy in Autocar should get himself to Clipstone this weekend and see the BHRC in action Lots of MK2 Escorts etc and a bulging entry list..

[J4MIE]

Is it this week's edition that Mikko said he would sell his house to buy a MkII Escort?? :cool:

[RS]

Maybe one should be working harder on getting a new real talent from UK to WRC rather than whining of the current state and dreaming about the past.

He has got a point though, the cars are boring to watch. Seems the WRCars have simply got too good now. Hopefully S2000 Turbo with simpler transmissions will help this.

[Tomi]

In lat months Top Gear the Finnish svengali said he might consider taking on a Foreign driver. Perhaps you could lend him to us DJ?

i hope wilks would try.

[BDunnell]

While flicking through Autocar yesterday in WHSmith’s, I came across an interesting article by Chris Harris. His main point was how apart from MNews, it’s completely ignored by the press- and how many people knew the season had started, and that J-M Latvala was now the youngest winner of a WRC event. Also compare an event of 20-25 years ago with one now; noise, crowds, spectacle, cars. His main problem was 4WD cars – what is the point of them anymore – how many 4WD Focii or C4’s do you see on the road/showroom. Bring back RWD was the main gist of his point – interesting to see the view of an’outsider’ to the sport.

A German friend of mine who isn't a rally fan but is incredibly knowledgeable about sport knows who Ari Vatanen, Hannu Mikkola, Markku Alen, Stig Blomqvist, Henri Toivonen, etc, are; likewise, the likes of Carlos Sainz, Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Marcus Gronholm. The only two current WRC drivers he knows the names of are Sebastian Loeb and Petter Solberg. I know this doesn't really prove anything, but I find it indicative. Why on earth should anyone know who Latvala is, even though he has now won a WRC event, let alone Sordo or Galli?

[RallyCat909]

I love rallying all over the planet. But case in point - I go to local SCCA AutoCrosses here in memphis and all the old guys still talk about the old MK2 Escorts and Fiats (RWD) Munari, Mikkola, Vatanen....now most of these guys are rusty old country boys with good upbringing, college, and good jobs. Just a generation away from trailer park and poverty. But the very fact that these guys know of these relatively obscure drivers and cars (to americans anyway) says something for RWD action.

I have been saying this for years, why not have a class for RWD cars. This might bring BMW, Porsche, Aston Martin, and the occasional Ferarri back to the stages. (Lifting the mandate that manufacturers contest the entire damned calendar might not hurt either.)

AWD has proved its point, its faster, but at the end of the day its a circus, and a good circus has memorable attractions.

RallyCat909

[WRCfan]

The reason there is not alternative classes introduced is because then WRC might become more popular the FIA (Ferrari International Assistance) can't have any of that. Eh Mr Mosley......

A RWD class would be fantastic but WRC is the little niggling pain in the a$$ sidekick to the F1 championship in the eyes of the FIA.

[AndyRAC]

The reason there is not alternative classes introduced is because then WRC might become more popular the FIA (Ferrari International Assistance) can't have any of that. Eh Mr Mosley......

A RWD class would be fantastic but WRC is the little niggling pain in the a$$ sidekick to the F1 championship in the eyes of the FIA.

I think you are probably right - what in my view is unforgivable - there are 3 FIA World Championships, yet the FIA seem to be only interested in one of them, to the detriment of the others.
I'd allow another class, and allow Manufacturers not to do the full Championship - I don't have a problem with them dipping in and out of the WRC - it needs all the help it can get, and adds variety.

[cosmicpanda]

Has the FIA's interest in F1 really been in its best interest?

Perhaps if WRC was to become as famous as F1 then the FIA would pay it more attention.

[WRCfan]

The WRC has massive appeal to the public, much more in my opinion because:

- The public can relate to the cars, you can buy a Citroen C4, Impreza, Focus.
- The drivers can be acessed (sp) by fans and spectators, they are often very friendly too
- Variety amongst the rallies - snow, tarmac, gravel, mud and so on...

Although with the way the two are presented the WRC has a more down to earth feel about it. F1 is hyped up so much, the drivers are almost impossible to get anywhere near, you can kiss goodbye to ever purchasing a road-going version of the F1 cars so it is harder for fans to be close to the sport thus it has this "idolised" image for people. Kind of hard to explain my thinking here although hopefully I make some sense.

WRCfan