Why the WRC is growing in strengh again...

[General Prim]

http://www.autosport.com/subs/login.php?r=http://www.autosport.com/features/article.php/id/2499&type=feature&id=2499

Anybody believe it?

[Donney]

It says it is forbidden for me to access the site, but just from the title I don't believe it!

[AndyRAC]

Mmm, I can't access that part of the site either. Sorry, but I don't agree - I think it's a bit premature to be making statements like that. We haven't had definate confirmed statements from new Manufacturers yet.

If I was a cynic, I could say that the writer wants to keep his FiA/ISC accreditation.....bearing in mind the Martin Holmes article in gpweek last week, regarding media coverage.

[Zico]

The very opposite is the truth. however.. IF.. Vatanen won the FIA presidential ellection I may expect to see this headline after a total revamp of the WRC format.


We can only pray.

[N.O.T]

what does the article say...i only read something about Loebs dominance....

[Francis44]

It's for subscribers only!!!!

[sal]

ISC are in danger of believing their own hype.

[N.O.T]

could you please say what the title is all about and stop commenting on something that half of us can;t read ??

[Brother John]

Just go in as normal on http://www.wrc.com/index.jsp

Like Francis44 say, It's for subscribers only!!!! ;)

[Juha_Koo]

For sure, I believe that WRC is growing in strenght again. Too bad that there's so much fans that almost would like to see the championship destroyed. Whatever the promoter does, a group of fans say "that sucks *ss". I'm asking here some compassion towards the series. They are doing their best to raise it new levels. It takes time and effort. And it's a very difficult mission in this economical situation.

Motorsport in general has also lost it's leading role in car marketing. If some manufacturer want's to emphase green values they are most certainly not going to stay in rallying or any other form of motorsport. Green here, green there - damn, I'm already annoyed.


could you please say what the title is all about and stop commenting on something that half of us can;t read ??

Agreed. :up:

[Mitch555]

Sorry I don't get it either, I couldn't find anything on wrc.com (unless I'm blind). Can someone post a link that works for everyone or something...

[Zico]

For sure, I believe that WRC is growing in strenght again.

Based on?

[Josti]

For sure, I believe that WRC is growing in strenght again. Too bad that there's so much fans that almost would like to see the championship destroyed. Whatever the promoter does, a group of fans say "that sucks *ss". I'm asking here some compassion towards the series. They are doing their best to raise it new levels. It takes time and effort. And it's a very difficult mission in this economical situation.


But the writing was on the wall already 5 years ago and what did they do? Pretty much nothing.

What do you actually believe why it's "groing in strenght" again? Tell me.

[Daniel]

could you please say what the title is all about and stop commenting on something that half of us can;t read ??
Yeah can someone copy and paste ffs? We're commenting on what?

[Daniel]

But the writing was on the wall already 5 years ago and what did they do? Pretty much nothing.

What do you actually believe why it's "groing in strenght" again? Tell me.
I agree. In fact the writing was on the wall probably 6 or 7 years ago. People were complaining that the sporting regs were wrong, that the rallies were being toned down and that the cars were starting to ruin the spectacle. But nothing was done.

How the WRC is growing in strength is beyond me....

[General Prim]

"Ford and Citroen have made further two-year commitments to the sport and Volkswagen, Mini, Mazda, Toyota,Subaru and Skoda among others are rumoured to be on their way to planetWRC. One or two of those will come good –– particularly now the FIA hasfinally come up with some technical regulations (although at the timeof writing they haven't actually delivered the regs –– just theprinciple of the regs…̷) which will carry the sport from 2011 onwardsand upwards. It's been an exceptional year in the WRC".

[Simmi]

If you look at those 'rumoured' manufacturers the only one's we are looking at are Mini and possibly Skoda.

I doubt VAG are gonna throw in both Skoda and VW. Taking the Fabia to the WRC makes the most sense, even though VW are surely wasting their time competing with themselves in Rally Raid. I wouldn't put any money on a Japanese make coming back any time soon. But if one came you could see the others following. What happened to Abarth?

I'd say by 2011 we will have four manufacturers in the WRC. Private teams will be able to compete easier. There's less preventing a Garde/Gigi/Mikkelsen/Duval jumping in an S2000. Plus you have a few more paid drives. Hopefully bring back three car teams, longer/diverse rallies. Then you have the makings of something competitive.

But to just aimlessly list car manufacturers is pointless at this stage.

[rallyfiend]

But to just aimlessly list car manufacturers is pointless at this stage.

I guess that depends on what the author of this article knows that you don't!

[Simmi]

I guess that depends on what the author of this article knows that you don't!

I sincerely hope he does know about all those manufacturers joining. But I would still call it highly speculative. But it's nice to speculate and be positive sometimes.

[gloomyDAY]

What a load of ....! I barely watched any rallies this season and I'm not going to watch any WRC rallies next season. They're just awful and not worth trying to find footage the online because it's not broadcasts in America.

The FIA and ISC do not know how to manage the WRC. Any time they come out with another ridiculous and drastic idea this image pops to my mind:

http://207.199.174.56/img/OoGMYnQcWn_i-am-not-a-crook-1.jpg

[Daniel]

What a load of ....! I barely watched any rallies this season and I'm not going to watch any WRC rallies next season. They're just awful and not worth trying to find footage the online because it's not broadcasts in America.

The FIA and ISC do not know how to manage the WRC. Any time they come out with another ridiculous and drastic idea this image pops to my mind:

http://207.199.174.56/img/OoGMYnQcWn_i-am-not-a-crook-1.jpg
HvYm68dOQ4k

[Lousada]

If you fall deep enough, eventually you'll be so low that everything you do will be growth...

[N.O.T]

thats a bit overoptimistic....

[Juha_Koo]

Maybe there should be two (sub)forums.

"People who watch WRC and talk about it -talk"
and
"People who don't even follow WRC but still like to kick the s*it out of it -talk"

Do I get a medal or something? :)

[Josti]

Maybe there should be two (sub)forums.

"People who watch WRC and talk about it -talk"
and
"People who don't even follow WRC but still like to kick the s*it out of it -talk"

Do I get a medal or something? :)

I thought a forum was a place to discuss? You're obviously trying to avoid that with this nonsense.

I'm a rallying fan, but that doesn't keep me from pointing out negative things about the sport, as long as it's based on something.

[Langdale Forest]

It would be good if it did happen but there is more chance of Zinebahe being real.

[Daniel]

I thought a forum was a place to discuss? You're obviously trying to avoid that with this nonsense.

I'm a rallying fan, but that doesn't keep me from pointing out negative things about the sport, as long as it's based on something.
:up:

[MikeD]

Maybe there should be two (sub)forums.

"People who watch WRC and talk about it -talk"
and
"People who don't even follow WRC but still like to kick the s*it out of it -talk"

Do I get a medal or something? :)

Thank you for bringing some sense and some positivity into this forum - that is much needed.

Like Simmi I do think there will be 4 manufacturers in 2011, but a lot will depend on the economic climate. Both F1 and the WTCC is suffering from loss of manufacturers because they hardly sell any cars at the moment, and therefor cannot justify motorsport activities when then have to lay off lots of people at the same time.

But I do believe that MINI via Prodrive will happen and that either Proton via MEM or Abarth will join in as well.

[Lousada]

Maybe there should be two (sub)forums.

"People who watch WRC and talk about it -talk"
and
"People who don't even follow WRC but still like to kick the s*it out of it -talk"

Do I get a medal or something? :)

Why don't you start some positive threads?? We'll be glad to talk about all the good things happening in the WRC.

[sal]

Yes I'll be happy to discuss ISC's positive ideas of preserving the heritage of the sport and the keeping the iconic events of the WRC. I think their ideas of starting the Italian round in Rome and shipping the cars to Sardinia and replacing Corsica with a round of the French championship which is bound to have spectator issues is it's Seb's stomping ground are world class....Damn I'm believing the hype now.

[Zico]

I've followed rallying for many years but I've totally lost interest mainly this last year for many reasons.. mainly due to the lack of top flight competition and because there is so little spectacle anymore. The cars handle too well.. far too much grip.. its just not the rallying I've always known and loved.

If there is any positive news to the detriment of F1.. its probably this... Kimi with apparently no F1 drive for 2010... Will he take his year out and go rallying with the S2000 Grande Punto? http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns21984.html

[AndyRAC]

Yes I'll be happy to discuss ISC's positive ideas of preserving the heritage of the sport and the keeping the iconic events of the WRC. I think their ideas of starting the Italian round in Rome and shipping the cars to Sardinia and replacing Corsica with a round of the French championship which is bound to have spectator issues is it's Seb's stomping ground are world class....Damn I'm believing the hype now.

I'm all for thinking 'outside the box' but I think the idea of a ceremonial start in Rome, then shipping the cars over to Sardinia is inviting problems - a la Argentina 2007. Why not just go back to San Remo, for a mixed event. I am disappointed about the ditching of Corsica though. Think they've got rid of the wrong island event. ISC really need to pull their collective fingers out and get the Monte back; the most famous Rally of them all should be in the Premier series - the WRC!

[Simmi]

I've become quite negative towards WRC but I honestly think next year will be the end of this sub-par era. The headless chicken can only run around in circles for so long. At the end of 2010 it will die.

And starting 2011 there will hopefully be a fresh start. Four manu's, lots of private interest. This should coincide with the return of the Monte for round 1. The events will be more nomadic - hopefully bringing back more of the spirit of old. With more competition on the stages and top drivers returning, even the TV coverage will start to look better.

It wont all happen in one year. But if you look where rallying went from 1987 to 1997. I'd take a decade like that again without hesitation.

[ShiftingGears]

I've become quite negative towards WRC but I honestly think next year will be the end of this sub-par era. The headless chicken can only run around in circles for so long. At the end of 2010 it will die.

And starting 2011 there will hopefully be a fresh start. Four manu's, lots of private interest. This should coincide with the return of the Monte for round 1. The events will be more nomadic - hopefully bringing back more of the spirit of old. With more competition on the stages and top drivers returning, even the TV coverage will start to look better.

It wont all happen in one year. But if you look where rallying went from 1987 to 1997. I'd take a decade like that again without hesitation.

In 1987- 1997 you had rallies that averaged 500-600 km in competitive stages excluding the Safari and Ivory Coast Rallies.
In addition, due to the format of the rallies the best stages for rallying would actually be rallied on in an event, rather than what happens now where some excellent stages get neglected due to cloverleaf rallying, repeating stages, etc etc.

There is a lot that needs to be improved with the WRC, besides the general lack of competition. If the FIA manage to improve the WRC to the level it was at in that decade you mentioned, it would be an amazing feat.

[Simmi]

In 1987- 1997 you had rallies that averaged 500-600 km in competitive stages excluding the Safari and Ivory Coast Rallies.
In addition, due to the format of the rallies the best stages for rallying would actually be rallied on in an event, rather than what happens now where some excellent stages get neglected due to cloverleaf rallying, repeating stages, etc etc.

There is a lot that needs to be improved with the WRC, besides the general lack of competition. If the FIA manage to improve the WRC to the level it was at in that decade you mentioned, it would be an amazing feat.

Yeah you're right about using the best stages. Unfortunately I think pulling the huge km's just isn't something that really appeals to teams and manufacturers these days. But a few small steps back in that direction, purely for spectating purposes would be nice. I think ISC knows now that cloverleaf rallying isn't flavour of the week anymore.

I was actually thinking more about the competition aspect when I mentioned that decade. Out of the death of Group B and a huge regs change - it took a couple of years and then we really had something.

[ShiftingGears]

Yeah you're right about using the best stages. Unfortunately I think pulling the huge km's just isn't something that really appeals to teams and manufacturers these days. But a few small steps back in that direction, purely for spectating purposes would be nice. I think ISC knows now that cloverleaf rallying isn't flavour of the week anymore.

I was actually thinking more about the competition aspect when I mentioned that decade. Out of the death of Group B and a huge regs change - it took a couple of years and then we really had something.

I agree. Also I think the FIA needs to bring in better regulations regarding teams running a third car - it should be encouraged in some way.

[I am evil Homer]

We unless they pay them to do it what encouragement is there. Running a third car is expensive and that's what they usually get paid drivers in that seat. And right now the economy is so bad that running 3 cars makes no sense.

[Simmi]

We unless they pay them to do it what encouragement is there. Running a third car is expensive and that's what they usually get paid drivers in that seat. And right now the economy is so bad that running 3 cars makes no sense.

Yeah true. But hence the reason for the new cost cutting regs. I would hope that in the future, something like this Pirelli driver scheme would mean that these prospects can be competing in equal machinery - a real prize - not Group N lost in the crowd.

A third car is an added expense, but the glory days of rallying were synonimous with three car teams. But that is because there was money in the good times. So there has to be some kind of incentive. Three car teams are a must, maybe not initially but maybe 2013 onwards.

I enjoyed the days when teams would bring in local specialists. But nowadays no rally is unique enough to warrant them.

[Daniel]

We unless they pay them to do it what encouragement is there. Running a third car is expensive and that's what they usually get paid drivers in that seat. And right now the economy is so bad that running 3 cars makes no sense.

Kimi's sponsors would MORE than pay for a third car.

[Lousada]

There are already 5-6 cars of each team every rally.