The 2016 Rallying thread (WRC, ERC, RX, etc)
Discussion
To be fair, after the banning of GroupB, we still had what I'd call 'proper events' - even up until the mid/ late 90's. It was only after then we got the 'cloverleaf' format and the modern 9-5 events. And from 2000 all events ran from Thursday- Sunday; meaning the ending of midweek WRC events, and the Sunday - Weds RAC format.
But I take your point - WRC rallies are no longer EVENTS. 10-14 identikit rallies over 2.5 days and that's it. If you're a kid in Newcastle, York, Kent, etc you've no chance of seeing the top WRC stars in our country - and it's a hell of a trek to get to North Wales. A casual motorsport fan just won't bother.
The sport needs more & better promotion - but it also needs to reach out to more people; which at the moment it seems incapable of doing.
But I take your point - WRC rallies are no longer EVENTS. 10-14 identikit rallies over 2.5 days and that's it. If you're a kid in Newcastle, York, Kent, etc you've no chance of seeing the top WRC stars in our country - and it's a hell of a trek to get to North Wales. A casual motorsport fan just won't bother.
The sport needs more & better promotion - but it also needs to reach out to more people; which at the moment it seems incapable of doing.
I think the FiA (or was it FISA, at the time) had to be seen to be doing something, and drastic. So the Gp B cars were banned - and the events themselves were 'tamed'. There had been stories of crews taking 'tablets' to keep them awake. So the long hours, with very little rest time, were gone; which I don't really have too much of a problem with.
However, we've gone to the other extreme; short days with massive gaps in the middle of the day when nothing happens.
However, we've gone to the other extreme; short days with massive gaps in the middle of the day when nothing happens.
DelicaL400 said:
RyanTank said:
Over the weekend there was a post shared by a friend on facebook of how a navigator had exclaimed that "rallying in the UK was f
ked!" all because he'd been stopped from standing where he wanted to on the Gwendraeth Rally in Pembrey. when someone suggested he come out and spectate in the woods (where its easier to get to places than on a single venue event)
I can see his point. I'd say the vast majority of competitors/organisers/marshals got into the sport by initially spectating. If it becomes difficult/impossible to spectate then where will the next generation of competitors/organisers/marshals come from? The exodus has already started in my own group of friends, some who previously went to up to 40 events a year have stopped going at all. That can't be good for the long term health of the sport? ked!" all because he'd been stopped from standing where he wanted to on the Gwendraeth Rally in Pembrey. when someone suggested he come out and spectate in the woods (where its easier to get to places than on a single venue event) I realise that something had to be seen to be done of course, otherwise there'd not be a short term future never mind a long term one. It's a shame that the actions of a few idiots have wrecked the sport I used to love to watch.
Saying that, I'm hoping to be out tomorrow on the Red Kite - and Route 60 is the only spectator point.
It's fine coming out with positive news about the supposed health of the WRC- but if the action on the stages and results don't change - and we have yet more VW walkovers, etc People just won't be interested. There's plenty of other series out there people are far more interested in.
Personally, too many in the WRC have their heads in the sand. The sport needed revolution - not evolution.
Personally, too many in the WRC have their heads in the sand. The sport needed revolution - not evolution.
Meeke is a qualified engineer - with a degree from Queen's University. There is a reason he's been testing PSA competition cars for about 10 years.
As for Loeb testing for Citroen; he has left, and is now a Peugeot driver - and will be busy testing their new Dakar challenger. Yes, Citroen-Peugeot are based in the same building - but it seems it wasn't a happy separation from Citroen. Also, possibly, Citroen need to move on from Loeb; they need to build their new car around their new drivers - not their ex superstar driver.
As for Loeb testing for Citroen; he has left, and is now a Peugeot driver - and will be busy testing their new Dakar challenger. Yes, Citroen-Peugeot are based in the same building - but it seems it wasn't a happy separation from Citroen. Also, possibly, Citroen need to move on from Loeb; they need to build their new car around their new drivers - not their ex superstar driver.
Just more muddled thinking from those in charge of the WRC; who demonstrate consistently that they don't have a clue what to do with the WRC.
Instead of 12,13,14+ identikit bland events, that offer very little, the WRC needs 10 iconic well run & promoted events that capture the public & media's imagination.
But we've been saying that for 10+ years and nothing ever improves. WRC-lite is what they seem to want.
Instead of 12,13,14+ identikit bland events, that offer very little, the WRC needs 10 iconic well run & promoted events that capture the public & media's imagination.
But we've been saying that for 10+ years and nothing ever improves. WRC-lite is what they seem to want.
sanf said:
Absolutely - one of the problems is the constant flip flapping of direction - for a couple of years the buzzword has been 'endurance', which has translated into less servicing - rather than longer events.
Exactly. They've convinced some people that less servicing = endurance. It's not; a sprint event is still a sprint event whether there is less servicing or not. Slippydiff said:
The new Fiesta looks impressive, is that rear diffuser legal ? (either way, I can't see it lasting long once they start taking big cuts on the Tarmac in Spain etc.
On the basis of Ogier's crash in Germany two years ago ? the accidents will be biblical/aircraft like in their ferocity when/if they do happen.
Give the 2017 cars another 100hp and I reckon you'd silence all the whinging Group B luddites once and for all (might need to go up on the wheel/tyre sizes though) ! !
Problem for M-Sport is there are seemingly no top line drivers available. And if they were, they would need big money to tempt them; something M-Sport don't appear to have. On the basis of Ogier's crash in Germany two years ago ? the accidents will be biblical/aircraft like in their ferocity when/if they do happen.
Give the 2017 cars another 100hp and I reckon you'd silence all the whinging Group B luddites once and for all (might need to go up on the wheel/tyre sizes though) ! !
Not sure giving the cars another 100BHP is really the answer - the current cars are fast enough. With more power comes bigger wings & downforce, improved diffs, etc ....all making them corner as if on rails. When what people are crying out for is more spectacle....
Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff