The 2014 WRC Thread
Discussion
WTF!!??!
This must be stopped. Did you read the article? He has no respect for the views of the drivers and codrivers. This isn't F1, outside of the top 10 the money brought in by drivers is all that keeps the sport alive.
Why would a club driver - or speccy - have any respect or interest in the sport that dismisses them like this?
Rally Cross already exists there is no need to dumb WRC down to the same level.
Can't they see how the rise of the WEC shows how not patronising fans and participants pays off?
This must be stopped. Did you read the article? He has no respect for the views of the drivers and codrivers. This isn't F1, outside of the top 10 the money brought in by drivers is all that keeps the sport alive.
Why would a club driver - or speccy - have any respect or interest in the sport that dismisses them like this?
Rally Cross already exists there is no need to dumb WRC down to the same level.
Can't they see how the rise of the WEC shows how not patronising fans and participants pays off?
When the FIA rejection story broke last year - I was ecstatic. Then my Motorsport News arrived on Wednesday running the same story - that the promoter and VW are ploughing on.
They utterly deluded and likely to rip the heart out of rallying - after only 2 seasons in the sport - it's an absolute disgrace. Pinning everything on the final stage just for TV is daft. The past few events have had stunning finishes, with some very close events from top drivers. Next year is building to be a cracker - Neuville, Meeke joining the VW boys up front and the likes of Evans and Paddon really coming on strong (maybe VW can see this and feel Ogier's ability in the power stage will keep them winning), so to rip this apart with a gimmick is lunacy.
Rallying is about endurance - the best driver over the full 3 days - not 1 day- then hold position before a final stage shoot out. The main problem I have is that rallying is NOT a TV spectacle, it's a LIVE sport - utterly brilliant watching the top boys on full chat, the speed is just awesome - which doesn't always come across on TV.
If they really want to make the WRC better - give the events more freedom for differentiation allowing more spectators to get back out on stages and actually watch. The buzz and excitement of planning to spectate on the old RAC was superb, getting out the maps - then moving between stages, spectators all heading in different directions. Some stages watch the top 20 cars the move on - others watch all 170 cars through. That is the core of rallying, the clubman and the professional on the same stages, hundreds and thousands of spectators trekking into a forest to see the worlds best.
We currently have a promoter that does not understand rallying, it's core fans or how to promote it - such a sad state of affairs. I hope the FIA stick to their guns, and if necessary pull control of the championship back from VW & Red Bull, who aren't listening to fans drivers or the FIA before they ruin it.
They utterly deluded and likely to rip the heart out of rallying - after only 2 seasons in the sport - it's an absolute disgrace. Pinning everything on the final stage just for TV is daft. The past few events have had stunning finishes, with some very close events from top drivers. Next year is building to be a cracker - Neuville, Meeke joining the VW boys up front and the likes of Evans and Paddon really coming on strong (maybe VW can see this and feel Ogier's ability in the power stage will keep them winning), so to rip this apart with a gimmick is lunacy.
Rallying is about endurance - the best driver over the full 3 days - not 1 day- then hold position before a final stage shoot out. The main problem I have is that rallying is NOT a TV spectacle, it's a LIVE sport - utterly brilliant watching the top boys on full chat, the speed is just awesome - which doesn't always come across on TV.
If they really want to make the WRC better - give the events more freedom for differentiation allowing more spectators to get back out on stages and actually watch. The buzz and excitement of planning to spectate on the old RAC was superb, getting out the maps - then moving between stages, spectators all heading in different directions. Some stages watch the top 20 cars the move on - others watch all 170 cars through. That is the core of rallying, the clubman and the professional on the same stages, hundreds and thousands of spectators trekking into a forest to see the worlds best.
We currently have a promoter that does not understand rallying, it's core fans or how to promote it - such a sad state of affairs. I hope the FIA stick to their guns, and if necessary pull control of the championship back from VW & Red Bull, who aren't listening to fans drivers or the FIA before they ruin it.
Alex Langheck said:
Madness, complete madness. Rallying is moving away from what it should be and what people want. Makes the first two days of a 3 day event a waste of time, I subscribe to BT Sport to get the rallying but not next year if this goes ahead. Won't bother watching the Wales Rally GB eitherLooking for some tips please. Am going to WRC Wales Saturday the 15th of Nov.
They seem to be all over the place and I have no idea what a good spot would be to hang out for most of the day. Any ideas? I think it would be great to be somewhere along the road in one of the forrest stages? Hints and tips much appreciated!!
They seem to be all over the place and I have no idea what a good spot would be to hang out for most of the day. Any ideas? I think it would be great to be somewhere along the road in one of the forrest stages? Hints and tips much appreciated!!
sanf said:
When the FIA rejection story broke last year - I was ecstatic. Then my Motorsport News arrived on Wednesday running the same story - that the promoter and VW are ploughing on.
They utterly deluded and likely to rip the heart out of rallying - after only 2 seasons in the sport - it's an absolute disgrace. Pinning everything on the final stage just for TV is daft. The past few events have had stunning finishes, with some very close events from top drivers. Next year is building to be a cracker - Neuville, Meeke joining the VW boys up front and the likes of Evans and Paddon really coming on strong (maybe VW can see this and feel Ogier's ability in the power stage will keep them winning), so to rip this apart with a gimmick is lunacy.
Rallying is about endurance - the best driver over the full 3 days - not 1 day- then hold position before a final stage shoot out. The main problem I have is that rallying is NOT a TV spectacle, it's a LIVE sport - utterly brilliant watching the top boys on full chat, the speed is just awesome - which doesn't always come across on TV.
If they really want to make the WRC better - give the events more freedom for differentiation allowing more spectators to get back out on stages and actually watch. The buzz and excitement of planning to spectate on the old RAC was superb, getting out the maps - then moving between stages, spectators all heading in different directions. Some stages watch the top 20 cars the move on - others watch all 170 cars through. That is the core of rallying, the clubman and the professional on the same stages, hundreds and thousands of spectators trekking into a forest to see the worlds best.
We currently have a promoter that does not understand rallying, it's core fans or how to promote it - such a sad state of affairs. I hope the FIA stick to their guns, and if necessary pull control of the championship back from VW & Red Bull, who aren't listening to fans drivers or the FIA before they ruin it.
I think you're preaching to the converted here sanf!! They utterly deluded and likely to rip the heart out of rallying - after only 2 seasons in the sport - it's an absolute disgrace. Pinning everything on the final stage just for TV is daft. The past few events have had stunning finishes, with some very close events from top drivers. Next year is building to be a cracker - Neuville, Meeke joining the VW boys up front and the likes of Evans and Paddon really coming on strong (maybe VW can see this and feel Ogier's ability in the power stage will keep them winning), so to rip this apart with a gimmick is lunacy.
Rallying is about endurance - the best driver over the full 3 days - not 1 day- then hold position before a final stage shoot out. The main problem I have is that rallying is NOT a TV spectacle, it's a LIVE sport - utterly brilliant watching the top boys on full chat, the speed is just awesome - which doesn't always come across on TV.
If they really want to make the WRC better - give the events more freedom for differentiation allowing more spectators to get back out on stages and actually watch. The buzz and excitement of planning to spectate on the old RAC was superb, getting out the maps - then moving between stages, spectators all heading in different directions. Some stages watch the top 20 cars the move on - others watch all 170 cars through. That is the core of rallying, the clubman and the professional on the same stages, hundreds and thousands of spectators trekking into a forest to see the worlds best.
We currently have a promoter that does not understand rallying, it's core fans or how to promote it - such a sad state of affairs. I hope the FIA stick to their guns, and if necessary pull control of the championship back from VW & Red Bull, who aren't listening to fans drivers or the FIA before they ruin it.
I'm not sure what they're expecting. Do they want F1 style TV figures? Having a 'shoot out' will not bring in more viewers.
Also, some of the WRC journalists need to start asking serious questions - instead of cosy chats, and soundbites. They're not doing their job.
t Sandwich.
In happier news Toyota have been out testing again.
http://planetemarcus.com/toyota-prepare-sa-yaris-w...
http://planetemarcus.com/toyota-prepare-sa-yaris-w...
Mitsubishi Mirage R5 launched during the weekend, looks like its a privateer creation rather than a factory backed car.
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/september/mitsubish...
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/september/mitsubish...
http://www.rally-maps.com/Wales-Rally-GB-2014 maps of the 2014 rally
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116027
Hopefully will come off; the North Yorks forests have been without top class International events for far too long; the 1993 RAC Rally.
Hopefully will come off; the North Yorks forests have been without top class International events for far too long; the 1993 RAC Rally.
Not strictly WRC. But Petter Solberg won the World Rallycross Title this weekend becoming the firs driver to win two FIA titles in two different disciplines.
http://racingist.com/2014/09/28/hansen-wins-italy-...
I'd love to see Petter back in the WRC if I'm honest, bring a bit of life back to the drivers interviews and service park. its far to clinical and professional at the top these days
http://racingist.com/2014/09/28/hansen-wins-italy-...
I'd love to see Petter back in the WRC if I'm honest, bring a bit of life back to the drivers interviews and service park. its far to clinical and professional at the top these days
FIA announces new R-GT cup for GT type cars which will have two rounds included on the WRC calendar. Sounds like good news and looks promising. Hopefully this can take off and we have some modern two wheel drive monsters to complement the big WRC cars. These could potentially replace the R5 cars, they'd probably be cheaper to build and run and would be more spectator friendly I think.
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/september/gt-cup/pa...
http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/september/gt-cup/pa...
Just what the sport has been calling out for; the WRC and R5 cars are fine, but the following FWD R2/3's aren't great entertainment.
The 911 GT3 will be a popular choice of car - but what else will be used? Nissan 370Z, AM Vantage, Audi R8, etc
Would be nice to see them increasing the number of rounds if it proves successful.
The 911 GT3 will be a popular choice of car - but what else will be used? Nissan 370Z, AM Vantage, Audi R8, etc
Would be nice to see them increasing the number of rounds if it proves successful.
Alex Langheck said:
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116027
Hopefully will come off; the North Yorks forests have been without top class International events for far too long; the 1993 RAC Rally.
The Trackrod only went National last year? But you're right that's been the flagship event for a long time and could do with more.Hopefully will come off; the North Yorks forests have been without top class International events for far too long; the 1993 RAC Rally.
Let's hope it doesn't clash with Mull.
epom said:
In a rare good news story, seems like Francois Delacour will be out in the 911 GT3 for rallye France 
FD testing for Rally France :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh6yipiOg0g
Note the GT3's lack of suspension droop and travel on the hairpin, likewise the traction issues on the same corner, the WRC car's wheels don't leave the ground and traction certainly isn't an issue ! !
It'll be interesting to see FD's times compared to those of the WRC boys on the really fast stages.
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