Why do WRC cars slow down?

[noogie]

Clearly I do not understand the full rules of rallying! I was just wondering if someone could explain why the drivers sometimes slow down towards to end of a stage? Is this so they are not the first out on the next stage (thus clearing the track)? Seems like a crazy thing to do, thought the aim was to be the fastest!

[deevlash]

exactly right, they slow so they dont run first the next day and so dont have to act as a road sweeper. Its a pretty stupid state of affairs really.

[ewenm]

Yes, so on loose stages they aren't creating the fast line, just using it. Fastest in an individual stage is not the same as fastest over all 3 days. It's something that needs addressing IMO, but right now it's just sensible racing.

[mko9]

It is so stupid that the rules are set up in such a way that this is necessary to win. I think the run order should be determined by overall event standing, or the previous stage results. That way it would change from stage to stage.

[VladD]

I think they should run 5 or 6 course cars through each stage before the first driver goes to do a bit of pre-sweeping and take this silliness out of the sport.

[BluePurpleRed]

VladD said:

I think they should run 5 or 6 course cars through each stage before the first driver goes to do a bit of pre-sweeping and take this silliness out of the sport.

They could even make them show / prototype exhibitions, or even a few classic cars from each manufacturer? I mean it would help sweep the track and also provide a show for the in person and tv fans alike? A few delta's, escort cossies, audi quattros doing quick but non timed runs would be better than nothing? A mini Goodwood FoS each morning ;P

[HereBeMonsters]

I'm surprised the WRC is still going.

[Munter]

HereBeMonsters said:

I'm surprised the WRC is still going.

It's not really is it. It's 6 Citroens vs 4 Fords. And the Ford is rubbish. Not exactly awe inspiring stuff.

Then in the UK you have Dave coverage. Which appears to be about 5 mins of rally cars in a 1/2 hour program.

[HereBeMonsters]

Munter said:

HereBeMonsters said:

I'm surprised the WRC is still going.

It's not really is it. It's 6 Citroens vs 4 Fords. And the Ford is rubbish. Not exactly awe inspiring stuff.

Then in the UK you have Dave coverage. Which appears to be about 5 mins of rally cars in a 1/2 hour program.

Exactly. IRC is much, much better.

[MarkRSi]

Munter said:

HereBeMonsters said:

I'm surprised the WRC is still going.

It's not really is it. It's 6 Citroens vs 4 Fords. And the Ford is rubbish. Not exactly awe inspiring stuff.

Then in the UK you have Dave coverage. Which appears to be about 5 mins of rally cars in a 1/2 hour program.

Indeed. Every time I switch over to it it seems to use the following format;

Camera focused on ugly drivers face for 5 minutes : we had a good run at the end of the day etc.

Replay of a rally car going round 1 corner for 10 seconds

Camera focused on ugly mechanics face for 5 minutes : the cars not bad, can be repaired at the end of the day etc.

In car shot for 15 seconds

etc. etc.

Edited by MarkRSi on Monday 12th July 18:54

[mrmr96]

^ do you think they have to pay for the 'stage camera' shot stuff of the cars but get the interview footage free as they shot it?

[mat205125]

noogie said:

.........thought the aim was to be the fastest!

It is, however over the course of the entire event, and not just on individual stages. If losing a few seconds on the last stage of a day means that you can run as the 3rd or 4th car the next day, and gain many more seconds per stage all day, then it is worth doing.

It is going to be very difficult to create some rules that stop this happening.

[Munter]

mat205125 said:

It is going to be very difficult to create some rules that stop this happening.

Oh I don't know. Just say "All stages will be run in championship order". Job done.

[kelk]

VladD said:

I think they should run 5 or 6 course cars through each stage before the first driver goes to do a bit of pre-sweeping and take this silliness out of the sport.

I can only comment for the WRC in Wales, but having marshalled it for the last few years (when it has been on) there are several cars.

In no particular order there are:

Chief marshal car
Sector stage marshal car
Crowd safety car
Course safety car
Press safety car
000 car - i.e. running at about 30 - 50% race pace car, 2 more cars until 1st race car
00 car - i.e. running at about 60% % race pace car, 1 more car until 1st race car
0 car - i.e. running at about 60% % race pace car, next car is a race until 1st race car

There are quite a few cars going round at any one time prior to race cars

Plus the obligatory helicopter flying about 80ft above the course going sideways, looking very cool

[IainW]

MarkRSi said:

Munter said:

HereBeMonsters said:

I'm surprised the WRC is still going.

It's not really is it. It's 6 Citroens vs 4 Fords. And the Ford is rubbish. Not exactly awe inspiring stuff.

Then in the UK you have Dave coverage. Which appears to be about 5 mins of rally cars in a 1/2 hour program.

Indeed. Every time I switch over to it it seems to use the following format;

Camera focused on ugly drivers face for 5 minutes : we had a good run at the end of the day etc.

Replay of a rally car going round 1 corner for 10 seconds

Camera focused on ugly mechanics face for 5 minutes : the cars not bad, can be repaired at the end of the day etc.

In car shot for 15 seconds

etc. etc.

Edited by MarkRSi on Monday 12th July 18:54

Another thing which really bugs me, is the "real time" commentary they do on the action. Mock surprise at people crashing and setting fastest times. Just do it the way the BBC used to and report on it while the pictures are showing. Ever since Channel 4 got involved and introduced a "commentator", it hasn't been the same. I really miss Top Gear Rally Report!

[Mr Gaga]

IainW said:

MarkRSi said:

Munter said:

HereBeMonsters said:

I'm surprised the WRC is still going.

It's not really is it. It's 6 Citroens vs 4 Fords. And the Ford is rubbish. Not exactly awe inspiring stuff.

Then in the UK you have Dave coverage. Which appears to be about 5 mins of rally cars in a 1/2 hour program.

Indeed. Every time I switch over to it it seems to use the following format;

Camera focused on ugly drivers face for 5 minutes : we had a good run at the end of the day etc.

Replay of a rally car going round 1 corner for 10 seconds

Camera focused on ugly mechanics face for 5 minutes : the cars not bad, can be repaired at the end of the day etc.

In car shot for 15 seconds

etc. etc.

Edited by MarkRSi on Monday 12th July 18:54

Another thing which really bugs me, is the "real time" commentary they do on the action. Mock surprise at people crashing and setting fastest times. Just do it the way the BBC used to and report on it while the pictures are showing. Ever since Channel 4 got involved and introduced a "commentator", it hasn't been the same. I really miss Top Gear Rally Report!

I used to love World of Sport coverage too, great music and epic footage. I remember the 1985 Monte footage was just awesome.

[dpbird90]

MarkRSi said:

Munter said:

HereBeMonsters said:

I'm surprised the WRC is still going.

It's not really is it. It's 6 Citroens vs 4 Fords. And the Ford is rubbish. Not exactly awe inspiring stuff.

Then in the UK you have Dave coverage. Which appears to be about 5 mins of rally cars in a 1/2 hour program.

Indeed. Every time I switch over to it it seems to use the following format;

Camera focused on ugly drivers face for 5 minutes : we had a good run at the end of the day etc.

Replay of a rally car going round 1 corner for 10 seconds

Camera focused on ugly mechanics face for 5 minutes : the cars not bad, can be repaired at the end of the day etc.

In car shot for 15 seconds

etc. etc.

Edited by MarkRSi on Monday 12th July 18:54

Yep, and they show pointless films of the drivers in everyday situations, like ITV used to do with F1; "cooking pasta with Trulli" etc etc

Am I the only one hoping they follow Kimi on a massive drinking session, would surely make good TV?

[andygo]

Mr Gaga said:

IainW said:

MarkRSi said:

Munter said:

HereBeMonsters said:

I'm surprised the WRC is still going.

It's not really is it. It's 6 Citroens vs 4 Fords. And the Ford is rubbish. Not exactly awe inspiring stuff.

Then in the UK you have Dave coverage. Which appears to be about 5 mins of rally cars in a 1/2 hour program.

Indeed. Every time I switch over to it it seems to use the following format;

Camera focused on ugly drivers face for 5 minutes : we had a good run at the end of the day etc.

Replay of a rally car going round 1 corner for 10 seconds

Camera focused on ugly mechanics face for 5 minutes : the cars not bad, can be repaired at the end of the day etc.

In car shot for 15 seconds

etc. etc.

Edited by MarkRSi on Monday 12th July 18:54

Another thing which really bugs me, is the "real time" commentary they do on the action. Mock surprise at people crashing and setting fastest times. Just do it the way the BBC used to and report on it while the pictures are showing. Ever since Channel 4 got involved and introduced a "commentator", it hasn't been the same. I really miss Top Gear Rally Report!

I used to love World of Sport coverage too, great music and epic footage. I remember the 1985 Monte footage was just awesome.

Is that the one where the Quattros were in full attack and they were playing some brill music in the background . Was it Joan of Arc or something like that?

TBH, its all got a bit clinical, and that to$$er from Dave must be related to Legard he is that bad!

[mat205125]

Munter said:

mat205125 said:

It is going to be very difficult to create some rules that stop this happening.

Oh I don't know. Just say "All stages will be run in championship order". Job done.

.... on all three days?

That could work, however depending on the points standings, and the gravel / tarmac mix on the calendar, it could still encourage a driver to deliberately back off and lose an event if he felt that the road position on the subsequent event could be compromised.