Rallying, a brief moan....
Discussion
I used to enjoy rallying, well from the comfort of my armchair and maybe the once yearly foray into the forests for the RAC/Wales Rally GB mud bath.
But (and you probably guessed that was coming) I haven't really been able to follow it much this year at all.
First off the WRC coverage (on Dave and Eurosport).
They both use the same commentator for the bulk of the special stage action, problem is (and this is a personal problem I admit) I hate his voice and his slightly patronising style.
Also the highlights show lacks depth and you don't get a feel for what's going on. There is far too much pre amble and waffle. They never cover the lower ranks and in all honesty if you didn't know better, you could be fooled into thinking there were no more than 10 cars in an event. Never mind the various classes of cars beneath the WRC machines.
The BRC (British rally championship) or what ever its called these days, were has it gone? Does anyone televise this any more? Did it go to Sky sports? I cannot seem to find mention of this anywhere?
I know rallying has always had its ups and downs and this could well be a fallow period but is there any light at the end of the tunnel?
But (and you probably guessed that was coming) I haven't really been able to follow it much this year at all.
First off the WRC coverage (on Dave and Eurosport).
They both use the same commentator for the bulk of the special stage action, problem is (and this is a personal problem I admit) I hate his voice and his slightly patronising style.
Also the highlights show lacks depth and you don't get a feel for what's going on. There is far too much pre amble and waffle. They never cover the lower ranks and in all honesty if you didn't know better, you could be fooled into thinking there were no more than 10 cars in an event. Never mind the various classes of cars beneath the WRC machines.
The BRC (British rally championship) or what ever its called these days, were has it gone? Does anyone televise this any more? Did it go to Sky sports? I cannot seem to find mention of this anywhere?
I know rallying has always had its ups and downs and this could well be a fallow period but is there any light at the end of the tunnel?
I fear that the answer is no!
DAVE is better than nothing, I suppose, but why does a 60min programme of a 3 day event have to have so much "Talking Heads" and so little action?
I think that Seb is also having a Shuey effect by winning 5 times, but a few more manufacturers would also help.
If any motorsport needs the attention of the FIA to boost its popularlty then WRC does.
DAVE is better than nothing, I suppose, but why does a 60min programme of a 3 day event have to have so much "Talking Heads" and so little action?
I think that Seb is also having a Shuey effect by winning 5 times, but a few more manufacturers would also help.
If any motorsport needs the attention of the FIA to boost its popularlty then WRC does.
interloper said:
I used to enjoy rallying, well from the comfort of my armchair and maybe the once yearly foray into the forests for the RAC/Wales Rally GB mud bath.
And therein lies the problem.If no-one bothers to get off their backside and actually go to events, the powers that be assume there is no interest. Hence little or no coverage.
Having said that a lack of speccies suits me fine. I've just spent a cracking day out on the RAC (Roger Albert Clark - not the Rally of a bit of Wales) watching & taking photos
Things like this make it well worth while getting up at 6am on a Saturday and walking 2 miles into Langdale Forest in the middle of November..
Edited by MonkeyHanger on Saturday 15th November 23:14
Has the GB Rally gone already? The old Lombard RAC Rally used to be great ,covering England,Wales and Scotland ,now it just piddles around in Wales and probably uses some of the same stages more than once ,hardly epic 
It would cover 4 or 5 days now only a couple and would be a great national event,no more. 
All the great rallies seem to have gone ,the Safari the 1000 Lakes the Monte ,they had to go and make them all the same ,same distance ,same number of days all the cars are virtual clones of each other, sad.
It would cover 4 or 5 days now only a couple and would be a great national event,no more. All the great rallies seem to have gone ,the Safari the 1000 Lakes the Monte ,they had to go and make them all the same ,same distance ,same number of days all the cars are virtual clones of each other, sad.
MonkeyHanger said:
interloper said:
I used to enjoy rallying, well from the comfort of my armchair and maybe the once yearly foray into the forests for the RAC/Wales Rally GB mud bath.
And therein lies the problem.If no-one bothers to get off their backside and actually go to events, the powers that be assume there is no interest. Hence little or no coverage.
Having said that a lack of speccies suits me fine. I've just spent a cracking day out on the RAC (Roger Albert Clark - not the Rally of a bit of Wales) watching & taking photos
Things like this make it well worth while getting up at 6am on a Saturday and walking 2 miles into Langdale Forest in the middle of November..
Edited by MonkeyHanger on Saturday 15th November 23:14
Are any of the TV channels showing highlights?
mollytherocker said:
What a great pic! I didnt realise it was on this weekend!!
Are any of the TV channels showing highlights?
The only coverage that i know of will be at the finish line tomorrow night and that will only be a news report.Are any of the TV channels showing highlights?
The organisers generally release a DVD a few weeks after the event though...could be useful if anyong is stuck for a Christmas present for you. Also if you look on YouTube there will be plenty of Spectator video to keep you happy
Edited by MonkeyHanger on Sunday 16th November 15:40
Rally GB is in December this time around, so you haven't missed it yet!
In all fairness I would spectate more (and I have in the past at Rally GB and the local Tempest rally) but this year my funds are severely restricted.
Just seems a massive shame that the BRC event's don't appear to be televised at all, were as it used to be. If you promote it, get it on telly (not sky sports were people have to pay) then more people will want to spectate and more sponsors will come out of the woodwork, with more money.
Awesome Stratos picture BTW!
In all fairness I would spectate more (and I have in the past at Rally GB and the local Tempest rally) but this year my funds are severely restricted.
Just seems a massive shame that the BRC event's don't appear to be televised at all, were as it used to be. If you promote it, get it on telly (not sky sports were people have to pay) then more people will want to spectate and more sponsors will come out of the woodwork, with more money.
Awesome Stratos picture BTW!
I think there's been a couple of threads recently about the crap coverage of WRC, Dave is better than nothing, but it doesn't seem to work somehow.
It could be down to the events themselves, dominated by Ford and Citreon, or maybe the cars aren't as exciting as they once were, but personaly I think the main problem is the way the show is filmed and presented.
There is too much rubbish packed around the action, the camera angles seem badly chosen and there are very rarely any shots which show a car for more than a few seconds. You don't seem to see the long aerial filming they used to do a while back, those really showed how the cars were being driven.
On a better note though, if you tune in to motors TV (not men and motors) you can see all the Irish championship on RPM rally, brilliant filming, fantastic fast closed road stages. Also on the British race and rally show, they have followed the Fiesta challenge this year and a few other events too, just saw some of the McRae stages, though it was mainly the Fiesta's.
Must admit though it's got nothing on the excitement of the old days, I remember being totally glued to the twice daily BBC coverage of the old RAC.
Nice pic of Mr Perez by the way
Looks like Malcolm Wilson has got this one well under control this year;)
It could be down to the events themselves, dominated by Ford and Citreon, or maybe the cars aren't as exciting as they once were, but personaly I think the main problem is the way the show is filmed and presented.
There is too much rubbish packed around the action, the camera angles seem badly chosen and there are very rarely any shots which show a car for more than a few seconds. You don't seem to see the long aerial filming they used to do a while back, those really showed how the cars were being driven.
On a better note though, if you tune in to motors TV (not men and motors) you can see all the Irish championship on RPM rally, brilliant filming, fantastic fast closed road stages. Also on the British race and rally show, they have followed the Fiesta challenge this year and a few other events too, just saw some of the McRae stages, though it was mainly the Fiesta's.
Must admit though it's got nothing on the excitement of the old days, I remember being totally glued to the twice daily BBC coverage of the old RAC.
Nice pic of Mr Perez by the way
Looks like Malcolm Wilson has got this one well under control this year;)
velocemitch said:
It could be down to the events themselves, dominated by Ford and Citreon, or maybe the cars aren't as exciting as they once were, but personaly I think the main problem is the way the show is filmed and presented.
For me it's boring rallies/stages, often cut stages, only 2 marques likely to win and then it's almost always Loeb which makes it about as interesting as Schumacher winning all the time in F1.As an example of boring rally/shortened stages look at Rally GB. It used to take in Britain, long stages at Keilder forest, stages around Clumber Park and even on one occasion Silverstone. Now it's a short run around a bit of Wales. And no night stages anymore.
And the cars are not very interesting either, a Ford Focus, Citroen Xsara and the new blandmobile from Subaru. Horrid school run cars.
No interest at all from me.
Yawn, yawn, yawn. The same old WRC bashing drivel as usual.
Boo Hoo Rally GB is not as good as way back when . . . . snore. Things change, cars change and events evolve.
I happen to like WRC, the cars are extremely fast and very exciting, even Loeb has been good to watch this year, and he thoroughly deserved the title again, he's simply the best out there with the best car.
Those who hark back to the good old days of Group B, modern WRC cars are faster and can actually put the power down. No they don't look as good and we all know they don't sound as good. No they are not as dramatic (sideways) but give me 15 WRC cars at full chat rather then 50 Ford Escorts any day, and believe me I like my classics.
Dave's coverage is much better than it was, Eurosport is the same footage with Paul King, it's not too bad but the timings are unreliable.
If you want to follow the BRC it's not that hard it's been fairly well published.
Motors TV is pretty good for Rallycross and the Irish rallies. Men and Motors is still there but show a lot of repeated footage.
If you don't like WRC don't watch it, quit your moaning and leave it for the rally fans who don't live in the past.
Boo Hoo Rally GB is not as good as way back when . . . . snore. Things change, cars change and events evolve.
I happen to like WRC, the cars are extremely fast and very exciting, even Loeb has been good to watch this year, and he thoroughly deserved the title again, he's simply the best out there with the best car.
Those who hark back to the good old days of Group B, modern WRC cars are faster and can actually put the power down. No they don't look as good and we all know they don't sound as good. No they are not as dramatic (sideways) but give me 15 WRC cars at full chat rather then 50 Ford Escorts any day, and believe me I like my classics.
Dave's coverage is much better than it was, Eurosport is the same footage with Paul King, it's not too bad but the timings are unreliable.
If you want to follow the BRC it's not that hard it's been fairly well published.
Motors TV is pretty good for Rallycross and the Irish rallies. Men and Motors is still there but show a lot of repeated footage.
If you don't like WRC don't watch it, quit your moaning and leave it for the rally fans who don't live in the past.
pixelpimp said:
Yawn, yawn, yawn. The same old WRC bashing drivel as usual.
Boo Hoo Rally GB is not as good as way back when . . . . snore. Things change, cars change and events evolve.
I happen to like WRC, the cars are extremely fast and very exciting, even Loeb has been good to watch this year, and he thoroughly deserved the title again, he's simply the best out there with the best car.
Those who hark back to the good old days of Group B, modern WRC cars are faster and can actually put the power down. No they don't look as good and we all know they don't sound as good. No they are not as dramatic (sideways) but give me 15 WRC cars at full chat rather then 50 Ford Escorts any day, and believe me I like my classics.
Dave's coverage is much better than it was, Eurosport is the same footage with Paul King, it's not too bad but the timings are unreliable.
If you want to follow the BRC it's not that hard it's been fairly well published.
Motors TV is pretty good for Rallycross and the Irish rallies. Men and Motors is still there but show a lot of repeated footage.
If you don't like WRC don't watch it, quit your moaning and leave it for the rally fans who don't live in the past.
You have missed the entire point completely!Boo Hoo Rally GB is not as good as way back when . . . . snore. Things change, cars change and events evolve.
I happen to like WRC, the cars are extremely fast and very exciting, even Loeb has been good to watch this year, and he thoroughly deserved the title again, he's simply the best out there with the best car.
Those who hark back to the good old days of Group B, modern WRC cars are faster and can actually put the power down. No they don't look as good and we all know they don't sound as good. No they are not as dramatic (sideways) but give me 15 WRC cars at full chat rather then 50 Ford Escorts any day, and believe me I like my classics.
Dave's coverage is much better than it was, Eurosport is the same footage with Paul King, it's not too bad but the timings are unreliable.
If you want to follow the BRC it's not that hard it's been fairly well published.
Motors TV is pretty good for Rallycross and the Irish rallies. Men and Motors is still there but show a lot of repeated footage.
If you don't like WRC don't watch it, quit your moaning and leave it for the rally fans who don't live in the past.
hot metal said:
Has the GB Rally gone already? The old Lombard RAC Rally used to be great ,covering England,Wales and Scotland ,now it just piddles around in Wales and probably uses some of the same stages more than once ,hardly epic It would cover 4 or 5 days now only a couple and would be a great national event,no more.
Lost interest once there was no Bristsh manufacturer involvement. Couldnt care who wins - Subaru or Citroen etc etc. It would cover 4 or 5 days now only a couple and would be a great national event,no more. 
pixelpimp said:
...the cars are extremely fast and very exciting...
Which WRC are you watching? The cars sound dull, barely step out of line and whilst I don't doubt the skill required to pilot them quickly, I can't help but feel that the vast majority of today's drivers would have been handed their a**es by any of the top drivers from the 80's or early 90's in period machinery.Three things killed the WRC: active differentials, Citroen and Sébastien Loeb.
pixelpimp said:
Yawn, yawn, yawn. The same old WRC bashing drivel as usual.
Boo Hoo Rally GB is not as good as way back when . . . . snore. Things change, cars change and events evolve.
I happen to like WRC, the cars are extremely fast and very exciting, even Loeb has been good to watch this year, and he thoroughly deserved the title again, he's simply the best out there with the best car.
Those who hark back to the good old days of Group B, modern WRC cars are faster and can actually put the power down. No they don't look as good and we all know they don't sound as good. No they are not as dramatic (sideways) but give me 15 WRC cars at full chat rather then 50 Ford Escorts any day, and believe me I like my classics.
Dave's coverage is much better than it was, Eurosport is the same footage with Paul King, it's not too bad but the timings are unreliable.
If you want to follow the BRC it's not that hard it's been fairly well published.
Motors TV is pretty good for Rallycross and the Irish rallies. Men and Motors is still there but show a lot of repeated footage.
If you don't like WRC don't watch it, quit your moaning and leave it for the rally fans who don't live in the past.
blimey mate...stick your head in the sand much deeper and you'll be in australia..Boo Hoo Rally GB is not as good as way back when . . . . snore. Things change, cars change and events evolve.
I happen to like WRC, the cars are extremely fast and very exciting, even Loeb has been good to watch this year, and he thoroughly deserved the title again, he's simply the best out there with the best car.
Those who hark back to the good old days of Group B, modern WRC cars are faster and can actually put the power down. No they don't look as good and we all know they don't sound as good. No they are not as dramatic (sideways) but give me 15 WRC cars at full chat rather then 50 Ford Escorts any day, and believe me I like my classics.
Dave's coverage is much better than it was, Eurosport is the same footage with Paul King, it's not too bad but the timings are unreliable.
If you want to follow the BRC it's not that hard it's been fairly well published.
Motors TV is pretty good for Rallycross and the Irish rallies. Men and Motors is still there but show a lot of repeated footage.
If you don't like WRC don't watch it, quit your moaning and leave it for the rally fans who don't live in the past.
That is the whole point though. Hardened rally supporters will go anywhere to watch, but so will trainspotters...you then run the risk of becoming a minority sport. I used to rally in my yoof, but running my own business makes time more precious and i'll be damned if you think i'm off to stand in bloody wales to watch numerous citreons fly by. When it was the lombard RAC it was simply better, I went to trentham gardens, chatsworth, north yorkshire and numerous other places to boot...and they were proper cars, yes there were escorts but if youve never seen a quattro sport on full chat youve never lived..
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