The future of WRC

[loveice]

I’m writing my MA dissertation now (MA Automotive Design in Coventry University). And it’s about the future of rally (particularly in WRC). I really need your help to complete my questionnaire.

1. What’s your reason for buying today’s road-going rally car, such as Evo and Impreza STI?

Price
Performance
Image
Practicality


2. What do you think of today’s WRC?

Thrilling
Innovative
Expensive
Popular



3. What do you want the future road-going rally cars to be?

More affordable
More practical
Nearer to the racing version in terms of design and performance
More exciting and different in terms of the exterior and interior design



4. What is your life stage?

Under 18
18-35
35-50
Over 50



5. What’s your house hold income?

18k-40k
40k-60k
60k-80k
80k and above



You can just write the question number first, then fellow by the answer/s.
eg. 1. Price
2. Thrilling
3. More affordable
4. 18-35
5. 18k-40k

Thank you very much for your time. Please, feel free to ask me any questions or give me any suggestions. And I will collect all the answers next week.

Shen


>> Edited by loveice on Friday 15th July 12:40

>> Edited by loveice on Friday 15th July 12:41

[paolow]

1 performance
2 thrilling
3 Nearer to the racing
4 lol, life stage? 18-35
5 80k +

[docevi1]

either give us an email address to send to or set up it up on a questionaire site (there are plenty about).

>> Edited by docevi1 on Friday 15th July 21:20

[loveice]

thanks for your replies. please do send the result to my email: [e-mail]. i've also posted this questionnair on someother motorsports related forum. please, do reply. it'll only take each of you less than 2min. but it does mean i can get some really good first hand research for my MA report. thanks again for your help.

[Eric Mc]

It's not altogether clear from your line of questioning who exactly you are addressing. Is this survey aimed at

a) those who are participating in WRC events

b) those who intend to buy a road car based on a WRC vehicle

c) those who might buy an ex-WRC car for lower level rallying

d) spectators at WRC events and TV audiences.

Just curious

>> Edited by Eric Mc on Sunday 17th July 12:05

[cptsideways]

I assume the question was aimed at those buying the product of the RWC rallies, eg the cars

[Eric Mc]

Are there many of those reading Pistonheads?

[dicky]

just wanted to ask the experts
what ever happened to the night stages??

[traction]

Night stages disappeared when they started to focus the events around a single area/town. The Major difference (and reason WRC has seriously gone down hill) is that it is no longer an endurance race, it only lasts 2 1/2 days with minimal road sections.

Plus there's no variety in that the stages can't be changed by much each year, so there's no chance of staging it one year in Mid Wales, the next in Kielder etc.

I think you'll find all of these changes are for one reason: revenue generation. That and pandering to soft drivers who can't/won't put up with longer events/road sections.

Ta.

[steviebee]

Eric Mc said:

It's not altogether clear from your line of questioning who exactly you are addressing. Is this survey aimed at a) those who are participating in WRC events b) those who intend to buy a road car based on a WRC vehicle c) those who might buy an ex-WRC car for lower level rallying d) spectators at WRC events and TV audiences. Just curious >> Edited by Eric Mc on Sunday 17th July 12:05

Particularly in relation to question 2!

[loveice]

steviebee said:

Eric Mc said: It's not altogether clear from your line of questioning who exactly you are addressing. Is this survey aimed at a) those who are participating in WRC events b) those who intend to buy a road car based on a WRC vehicle c) those who might buy an ex-WRC car for lower level rallying d) spectators at WRC events and TV audiences. Just curious >> Edited by Eric Mc on Sunday 17th July 12:05 Particularly in relation to question 2!

this survey is mainly aimed at b) those who intend to buy a road car based on a WRC vehicle, d) spectators at WRC events and TV audiences. they are the people who make the whole thing happening. and they are the people manufatures are aiming at.

>> Edited by loveice on Tuesday 19th July 11:46

[Eric Mc]

Thanks for clarifying that.

Don't forget that the vast majority of people who get to see WRC do so on TV. The numbers who actually turn out in person to watch the stages are infinitesimal in comparison. The manufacturers involved are not that concerned about the punters who turn up to watch. TV audience is what it is all about.

Therefore, when you mention "too expensive" what are you referring to?
My assumption now is that you are talking about entry to watch stages.

Am I right?

Secondly, why are you asking for people's opinion as to whether rallying is popular?
Surely that is a matter of fact rather than opinion. The popularity of rallying would be measured by the TV audiences and the numbers who attend the events.
Whether I "think" rallying is popular or not is not that important.

Having said that, my hunch is that it is a lot less popular at the moment than it was four or five years ago - especially here in the UK. That is probably because there are currently no British drivers participating in the WRC.

>> Edited by Eric Mc on Tuesday 19th July 13:14

[traction]

Sounds like the Questionaire should be revised in the light of the comments here.

And IMHO you should also ask about what background in rallying they have i.e. don't even watch it, only watch WRC, watch all levels on TV, spectate, marshall, drive themselves etc.?

That'll give you a better appreciation of what segment is buying into the marketing the manufacturers are aiming at.

So, re-write the questions and I'll tell you why I bought a SEAT Ibiza!

Ta.

[Killer2005]

traction said:

Night stages disappeared when they started to focus the events around a single area/town. The Major difference (and reason WRC has seriously gone down hill) is that it is no longer an endurance race, it only lasts 2 1/2 days with minimal road sections. Plus there's no variety in that the stages can't be changed by much each year, so there's no chance of staging it one year in Mid Wales, the next in Kielder etc.

Bring back the above