South Africa or Brazil for 2013

[Grant_RSA]

Anyone have a preference?

[A FONDO]

For nuclear strike or what?

[JAM]

For what we saw on IRC, without organizational level to be on WRC.

Argentina is being criticized, but even on IRC, they were very ahead of Brazil.

[Mihai]

Definitely South Africa, as Brazil are busy (and dangerously behind schedule) with preparations for the 2014 Football World Cup.

[J4MIE]

Brazil is a massive market with the economy doing well, but I believe the WRC should have an event in Africa (preferably Kenya, but oh we'll). So I'd find it hard to decide without knowing more.

Would be quite happy to visit either of them ;)

[sal]

New Zealand and Acropolis for me.

[Prisoner Monkeys]

New Zealand and Acropolis for me.
How about if you assume one of those has to go and absolutely cannot be saved - do you replace New Zealand or Greece, and do you replace it with South Africa or Brazil?

PS - furthermore, assume that if you choose New Zealand and Greece, the entire WRC will collapse in upon itself.

[Fly_Half]

At least one event on each continent in an ideal world!

As for the OP, I'd love to see SA get an event.

[rallyfiend]

At least one event on each continent in an ideal world!

As for the OP, I'd love to see SA get an event.

A Safari type event will never happen again. Just a different world we live in these days.

I'd love to see a South African event of any type, but I can't help but feel that Brazil will always win out given it's market and audience potential.

[Riven]

Both South Africa and Brazil are in for 2013. Only an catastrophe in the 2012 events can prevent that.

[Prisoner Monkeys]

I'm undecided as to whether I'd like to see South Africa or Brazil join the series. I think a lot of my personal preference would come down to the plans for the actual event. For example, I'd be very keen on Brazil if it was run through the tropics or around the equator, because a tropical rally is missing from the calendar (and has been since Indonesia left). On the other hand, I'd be less keen if it were a dry and dusty rally, as the series already has plenty of those.

[rallyfiend]

Both South Africa and Brazil are in for 2013. Only an catastrophe in the 2012 events can prevent that.

Bold statement for your first post.

[Plan9]

Inclined to say Brazil but I think other surfaces should be included ie tarmac events.

[GigiGalliNo1]

South Africa! I would like a rotating year... Rally Aus/NZ and rest of them don't have to be in each year! Gets people traveling more! No?

[Riven]

Bold statement for your first post.
I know... :) but 100% sure of that.

[rallyfiend]

I know... :) but 100% sure of that.

I reckon they'll only put one of them in. 2 new events in one year in the context of some high profile European events being dumped would be too difficult politically for the FIA.

Would also put the costs up hugely to add two more long haul events to the existing number.

[Barreis]

This should be in WRC:
THE KCB 2011 SAFARI RALLY (http://www.safarirally.net/)

[bluuford]

I prefere to see many locals in the event.. defenitely RSA.
RSA is 25th biggest economy in the World, Brazil is in top 10, but GDP per Capita is almost the same for both countries. Last IRC event was very poor in terms of local entrants.
Both are around 9000 km from European main Dutch and French harbours (where the boats with the cars usually are leaving).
Ideal tour would be Argentina (around 9000 km from Europe), from Argentina to RSA (around 9000km) and from RSA to Australia-NZ (around 11 000 km, also in top 20 in terms of GDP), then they cover three continents in three rallies, it should be ideal world for manufacturers to present their machines in all kind of roadshows in all continents.

[Barreis]

What about homologations problems in RSA (their cars have their own homologations valid only there)?

[DonJippo]

This should be in WRC:
THE KCB 2011 SAFARI RALLY (http://www.safarirally.net/)

Why? This is just a normal special stage rally nothing to do with original East African Safari rally other than it's in Kenya.

[Barreis]

This's the original Safari rally, look at the past winners.

[J4MIE]

It's the same event, but these days in only a round of the African Rally Championship and the Kenyan Championship.

But of course, it's nothing like it used to be.

I would argue though that it's not just "a normal special stage rally", normal doesn't exist there- it's still absolutely spectacular, and if I wasn't busy that weekend, I would be only too glad to go back :)

But as I said, I would consider going to either South Africa or Brazil if it was a WRC round. I still cling to the hope of going to NZ for the WRC, it would be a real shame to lose it.

[Barreis]

Every continent should have WRC round.

[N.O.T]

For nuclear strike or what?

LOL !!!

SA would be better i think....for a rally that is. :)

[focus206]

hmmm I think South Africa is capable to host a better event than Brazil, but I'd really like NZ and Acropolis to stay in the calendar ;)

[Riven]

I reckon they'll only put one of them in. 2 new events in one year in the context of some high profile European events being dumped would be too difficult politically for the FIA.

Would also put the costs up hugely to add two more long haul events to the existing number.

I agree with you, but strangely that may seems, the decision was made, they're both in for the 2013 championship... So i've heard.
Anyway, in one month time we'll know.

[Bruce D]

What about homologations problems in RSA (their cars have their own homologations valid only there)?

Nope, all our S2000 cars are internationally homologated with the possible exception of the new VW Polo, but the Toyota, older Polo and the Fords are all international cars. Heck, the Fords are MSport cars, not even built here.

[Jajá]

Both South Africa and Brazil are in for 2013. Only an catastrophe in the 2012 events can prevent that.

I'm not aware, so far, of any candidate events in Brazil for 2012. Next weekend, the biggest Rally in Brazil will happen (Rally Erechim (http://www.rallyerechim.com.br)), which counts for the South American Rally Championship. Erechim is the "Brazilian Rally Capital" as stated in Nobre's car. I must say that would be a great place for an event, as the people is already educated about rally and they are very passionate. The cons I see is that it is a very small city far away from large cities, which makes logistics a hell... We'll see...

[JAM]

Interesting that no one seems worried about organization capacity.

[Grant_RSA]

FIFA World cup VS WRC event, i think it can be done.

[Motorsportfun]

I'm a bit worried by Acropolis: they don't have commercial sponsors anymore. No lottery sponsorship (Opap), no car importers, no other commercial brands... will Loutraki Casino pay to organize all the rally with own money? I'm not too sure about that...

[GF]

Also in the past when the criteria from previous "experts" were GDP and the markets, the experiment failed with Japan, China, Indonesia etc and WRC lost glory and time. It's not clever to repeat it again.

[janvanvurpa]

FIFA World cup VS WRC event, i think it can be done.

Grant, where would the event be? What are the roads like?

[Bruce D]

The event would be based in Durban, but then take in the roads on the North and South Coasts of Durban and the forest roads around Pietermaritzburg. So the coastal stages will be slippery Australia-like ball-bearing surfaces in sugarcane fields and the forest roads will be good grip stages.

[Grant_RSA]

Janvanvurpa Bruce D described perfectly, the coastal roads are amongst the best in the country and are very challenging.

[Red bull]

Volkswagen hopes WRC presence attracts global commercial interest - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/99657)

[Grant_RSA]

I understand the markets are very important ie Brazil for VW, seeing as SA produces a large volume of cars from them as well, it cannot be a train smash if they come to SA...

I may sound biased here, but doesn't a world championship need to incorporate the World, ie at least 1 rally on each continent? then again there are a number of championships with the same "problem"

[MJW]

Both VW and Michelle Mouton want Brazil, I guess Brazil is in first, then South Africa to follow in another year.

[AndyRAC]

If they're going on the biggest car markets...then watch out Finland..... ;)

Is there the interest in Brazil for Rallying though...?? Not much point going if it's watched by 2 men & a donkey.....

[Riven]

If they're going on the biggest car markets...then watch out Finland..... ;)

Is there the interest in Brazil for Rallying though...?? Not much point going if it's watched by 2 men & a donkey.....

I think also Greece and Portugal will be in trouble in the future, for that reason... Greece probably is struggling to keep in the 2013 championship, and i'm not sure that can hold to their spot (like Italy, that will be clearly out of the 2013 WRC).

Again, I think that Brazil and SA, will be both in the 2013 calendar, at least I think that is the FIA intention at moment.

[OldF]

The event would be based in Durban, but then take in the roads on the North and South Coasts of Durban and the forest roads around Pietermaritzburg. So the coastal stages will be slippery Australia-like ball-bearing surfaces in sugarcane fields and the forest roads will be good grip stages.

Then it must be based on the Total Tour Natal Rally.

2011: Total Tour Natal Rally Overview 2011 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MS2Sn51SrHo)

2012: Total Rally March 2012 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKbtHQMZwmY)

Which rally is the best rally and where are most spectators.

Here are You Tube videos I found the other rallies except Volkswagen, MTN Polokwane Rally and Toyota Cape Dealers Rally (only short video clips).

The stages of Garden Route National Rally look nice.

Sasol Rally 2011
Sasol Rally Mpumalang Nelspruit Overview - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot9am9FkbDY)

Sasol rally 2012
Sasol Rally in Nelspuit, Sarbie, White River, Graskop Mpumalanga 2012 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66k9Wt9dq9k&feature=youtu.be)

HMC National Rally 2011
HMC Hencom Autobody National Rally Witbank Mpumalanga South Africa 13-14 May 2011 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBR2zD2hjDo&feature=related)
HMC Hencom Autobody Rally Witbank Mpumalanga South Africa 13-14 May 2011- Part 2 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnoiBq5T0Hc)

Toyota Dealer Rally Gauteng 2011
Toyota Gauteng Rally 10-11 June 2011 Day .1. - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sHXhBwoA2Y&feature=youtu.be)
Toyota Gauteng Rally 10-11 June 2011 - Day 2 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REqVVwxFq-s&feature=youtu.be)

Garden Route National Rally 2011
Garden Route National Rally - Day .1. - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceTgmGc3ReU&feature=youtu.be)
Garden Route National Rally - George/Knysna Day.2. - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_O0wJoj34Y&feature=youtu.be)