What do you think about last Jerry Williams' article in MN?

[General Prim]

Jerry Williams does not bite its tongue speaking about the new WRC promoter in Motorsport News. Do you agree with him?

[MJW]

Yes

[Motorsportfun]

can you post the article? thanx

[AndyRAC]

As is usual for Jerry - he cuts through all the bull and speak sense. ISC/North One need to promote the sport properly, not silly irrelevant articles/soundbites.
The WRC is 2nd only to F1 in terms of prestige, yet the coverage it receives is nothing like that - ISC/North One need to do something about that, especially in countries like here - (UK)were it has virtually disappeared - how about paying for some Brit newspaper journalists over for Sweden, etc

[General Prim]

We motor back from the Monte fired up with new hope after an exciting event free of the straitjacket format endured by the WRC.

Then what hits my eye: An item on WRC.com crowing that its “official” Facebook “community” will soon hit 90,000. So, which mega-brain thought people wanted to read such self-congratulatory guff?

Proper media outlets know that fans rightly have low boredom thresholds over our problems and triumphs. WRC.com, that’s you, too. There is good stuff on your website (if you can find it!) but you’re not there to blow your own trumpet.

In fact, the only surprise was that the item wasn’t fed out by the PR company hired to publicise the WRC. It’s exactly what they specialise in.

When they started out we all wished them well but what have they given us? A stream of nonsensical press releases that create the impression the WRC is so desperate for exposure it will drop its pants for anyone. You’ll have seen many of these releases as items on wrc.com.

Here are a few choice examples off the top of my head: Like, 301 words on ISC being re-branded North One Sport (worth two lines, I’d say).

Then, the revelation that U.S. “driving sensation” Ken Block will join the WRC. A masterpiece of hype, it told us: “The announcement today that US star Ken Block will take part in the 2010 WRC … has been hailed as confirmation that the ‘World’s Greatest Drivers’ will be competing.”

I don’t think so: Block will likely be eaten alive. And what rally fans really wanted to know was why the much-trailed deal for the seriously talented Chris Atkinson to run alongside him fell through.

Last year, one Rally Finland release bellowed that Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton Wanderers) and Sami Hyppia (washed-up ex-Liverpool) thought the WRC was great and offered the forensic observation: “Rallying is so popular in Finland due to its long heritage and tradition, much like that of football in England.” No, really, you don’t say!

We groaned over a gushing item on the Hairy Bikers going to Rally Poland. I don’t care; I’m sure no-one cares.

One of the prize moments was a fulsome 383 words (believe it!) on “world renowned” Dutch DJ Marco V adapting the WRC TV theme tune to a “club-land floor filler”, while I recall another Rally Finland release so over-wrought it included “massive, tremendous, prestigious, icon, drama and buzz” in 300 words!

But my least favourite was one about Swiss watch company Edox (who they? Ed) taking over WRC timing duties. It inflicted on us the excruciating phrase “…representing dynamism and a proud heritage”.

Listen, you, we’re talking about the WRC here, still the world’s foremost rally series and to some of us, more important than Formula One.

We don’t need hysterical, adjective-strewn press releases about any old micro-celeb or inconsequential organisation leeching off rallying. Such stuff makes rally stalwarts wince in pain and denies the sport’s essence and history to media outlets that come to it afresh.

Just a hint, like!

JW

[Motorsportfun]

Am I strange if I don't see anything scandalous in WRC news?
Formula 1 too self-celebrates his activities... what's wrong?

[Tomi]

Good article, easy to agree in most points, wrc.com has 1 good thing, the splits, and thats it.

[RS]

Yes, good article.

In fact the WRC.COM news items he talks about are rather a lot like the english language commentary they feed us. Stuff lke an "encouraging 5th place for Matthew Wilson", completely ignoring the fact he may have been 12 minutes off the pace.

[sal]

He's absolutley spot on. ISC/North One want to control all output be it news, images etc and that is not a breaking story it's been common knowledge for some time.

[J4MIE]

Agree 100% :up:

[MJW]

Unless they prove different in 2010, I think North One could be very bad news for us old time diehards of rallying. See Martin Holmes' article in gpweek a few months ago. ISC/North One are real control freaks, and I fear a pandering to the Ken Block, computer game generation. i.e. those who they can make money fom.

[AndyRAC]

Unless they prove different in 2010, I think North One could be very bad news for us old time diehards of rallying. See Martin Holmes' article in gpweek a few months ago. ISC/North One are real control freaks, and I fear a pandering to the Ken Block, computer game generation. i.e. those who they can make money fom.

Maybe they stop thinking about trying to make money, and actually get the sport back on it's feet. They'll have much more chance of making money if the WRC is strong and healthy again. That means more than 2 Manufacturers, and more than 2/3 drivers who can win.
By being 'control freaks' -general press and media won't show any interest. I'd be almost certain that none of the papers here in UK will have anything about the start of the WRC this week. (I'll be delighted if I'm wrong)

[Lousada]

Maybe they stop thinking about trying to make money, and actually get the sport back on it's feet. They'll have much more chance of making money if the WRC is strong and healthy again. That means more than 2 Manufacturers, and more than 2/3 drivers who can win.
By being 'control freaks' -general press and media won't show any interest. I'd be almost certain that none of the papers here in UK will have anything about the start of the WRC this week. (I'll be delighted if I'm wrong)

They paid a lot of money for the promotional rights. They need money. They don't care about privateers or live spectators because they cannot make money on that.

[GigiGalliNo1]

Agree with him

[janvanvurpa]

Whoa! what a haterz dude! he said:

Then, the revelation that U.S. “driving sensation” Ken Block will join the WRC. A masterpiece of hype, it told us: “The announcement today that US star Ken Block will take part in the 2010 WRC … has been hailed as confirmation that the ‘World’s Greatest Drivers’ will be competing.”

well I saw right in Kenny's Press Release when he bought his ride from malcom that it said "the most significant singings in WRC history".

Said it black and white and now this hater dude is saying Kenny's not gtrat!!!!

hey I'm going to go check WRC Mexico results and WRC NZ and I betcha I can find a 26th ot a 28th on a SS---done under Super rally---see! He's a Super Rallyist!

Betcha the hater Jerry williams hasn't finished 27th on a stage under Super-rally rules!

Betcha Williams is some whinging Pommie bastid who hates Americans cause we love Freedom™

[/typical Block fan off]

[sal]

[quote="MJW"]Unless they prove different in 2010, I think North One could be very bad news for us old time diehards of rallying. QUOTE]


How many more times! It's Rally not Rallying according to North One speak.

They dont have to worry about the heritage of the sport of rallying as they invented a new one called rally.

[WRCfan]

Isn't the cool new name rally racing? ;)

[Daniel]

Isn't the cool new name rally racing? ;)
Yeah you're right. I bet my Monte is faster than your Rally Japan.