2024 WRC and ERC discussion
Discussion
ChrisJ. said:
The current format of events and the handful of rocket ships competing on them, just doesn't capture the imagination.
As spectacular as the Rally 1 cars are, you feel like the whole things over not long after it's begun.
Nail on head. Yet the current power brokers don't seem to want to change anything. The whole thing needs a complete rethink.....cars, events, coverage, etcAs spectacular as the Rally 1 cars are, you feel like the whole things over not long after it's begun.
PLEASE
The World Rally Championship will soon be back in Scotland for the first time in three decades, if the Scottish Government looks favorably on a feasibility study currently being undertaken.
Motorsport UK is targeting a Rally GB return in 2026 with the aim of securing a three-year deal for an event based around the city of Aberdeen. The UK hasn’t featured on a WRC calendar since it departed Wales at the end of 2019.
“We are working with the Scottish Government and various different stakeholder agencies in Scotland,” Motorsport UK CEO Hugh Chambers told DirtFish. “We have full support and agreement with Scottish Government to conduct a three-month feasibility study and we’re in the midst of that right now.
“As you can imagine, it’s a complex process – it’s not just the matter of creating the route, it’s about how that event structure, that product, would work with all the different stakeholders. It’s about engagement and creating a holistic business mode. The fact that we’ve been welcomed [by the Scottish Government] to do that study means they’re taking this very seriously.”
Understandably, Chambers is focused on fixing the commercial side of a possible British return to the WRC, but he did offer some insight into the route.
He said: “The epicenter would be around Aberdeen. There are some incredible roads up there and you’ve got the P&J Live centre – a world-class event arena. The infrastructure is all there, the hotels are within walking distance and, of course, Aberdeen itself is a vibrant community with a very powerful commercial center based on the oil and gas industry.”
Researching the route some more, DirtFish understands a ceremonial start out of Edinburgh is likely with a possible superspecial at the nearby Knockhill race circuit. An overnight halt around the capital on Thursday night would allow the route to head north through the Perthshire forests on Friday before Saturday and Sunday based in the nation’s north-east woods.
Chambers added: “This is one that has definitely got some momentum behind it. Nothing is ever done until it’s done, and there’s still some hard yards to go, but I do genuinely think we’re in better shape now than we probably have been for 10 years and so is the potential for Rally GB. We’ve got fresh thinking, fresh stakeholders and fresh momentum.
“WRC Promoter is fully abreast of everything we’re doing and they’re very, very supportive and very keen as is [FIA road sport director] Andrew Wheatley. I genuinely think we’ve got things aligned, but the next six months are going to be critical.”
The World Rally Championship will soon be back in Scotland for the first time in three decades, if the Scottish Government looks favorably on a feasibility study currently being undertaken.
Motorsport UK is targeting a Rally GB return in 2026 with the aim of securing a three-year deal for an event based around the city of Aberdeen. The UK hasn’t featured on a WRC calendar since it departed Wales at the end of 2019.
“We are working with the Scottish Government and various different stakeholder agencies in Scotland,” Motorsport UK CEO Hugh Chambers told DirtFish. “We have full support and agreement with Scottish Government to conduct a three-month feasibility study and we’re in the midst of that right now.
“As you can imagine, it’s a complex process – it’s not just the matter of creating the route, it’s about how that event structure, that product, would work with all the different stakeholders. It’s about engagement and creating a holistic business mode. The fact that we’ve been welcomed [by the Scottish Government] to do that study means they’re taking this very seriously.”
Understandably, Chambers is focused on fixing the commercial side of a possible British return to the WRC, but he did offer some insight into the route.
He said: “The epicenter would be around Aberdeen. There are some incredible roads up there and you’ve got the P&J Live centre – a world-class event arena. The infrastructure is all there, the hotels are within walking distance and, of course, Aberdeen itself is a vibrant community with a very powerful commercial center based on the oil and gas industry.”
Researching the route some more, DirtFish understands a ceremonial start out of Edinburgh is likely with a possible superspecial at the nearby Knockhill race circuit. An overnight halt around the capital on Thursday night would allow the route to head north through the Perthshire forests on Friday before Saturday and Sunday based in the nation’s north-east woods.
Chambers added: “This is one that has definitely got some momentum behind it. Nothing is ever done until it’s done, and there’s still some hard yards to go, but I do genuinely think we’re in better shape now than we probably have been for 10 years and so is the potential for Rally GB. We’ve got fresh thinking, fresh stakeholders and fresh momentum.
“WRC Promoter is fully abreast of everything we’re doing and they’re very, very supportive and very keen as is [FIA road sport director] Andrew Wheatley. I genuinely think we’ve got things aligned, but the next six months are going to be critical.”
I like many others would like the WRC to return to the UK - however, there is a caveat.
The WRC promoter will want silly money for a hosting fee, and is it really a good look to handover public money for what is a niche, poorly run series? And the returns can't be particularly good at the moment. So, it's a 'Not yet' for me. I can't imagine it will be much better in 2026; will Hyundai even still be in the WRC???
I've seen comments on social media, and some fans really have no idea how the sport works; the WRC Promoter doesn't give you an event for nothing.
The WRC promoter will want silly money for a hosting fee, and is it really a good look to handover public money for what is a niche, poorly run series? And the returns can't be particularly good at the moment. So, it's a 'Not yet' for me. I can't imagine it will be much better in 2026; will Hyundai even still be in the WRC???
I've seen comments on social media, and some fans really have no idea how the sport works; the WRC Promoter doesn't give you an event for nothing.
Likewise, there is no TV money or anything for the teams - its all cost on their part so is it any wonder their participation is always in doubt?
Personally, I don't think the cars are excessively expensive (if you take out the hybrid element), particularly if you look in the context of where things were back at the peak Subaru v Mitsubishi days 20/25 years back. Inflation adjusted I don't think they are wildly different.
The key is the value the WRC offers for the spend and at the moment its just not delivering and that has to come down to the promotor. Grow the pie and the cost issues will fade - we can keep Rally1 or whatever replaces it, and maintain Rally2 as the great privateer/regional rule set that it already is.
Personally, I don't think the cars are excessively expensive (if you take out the hybrid element), particularly if you look in the context of where things were back at the peak Subaru v Mitsubishi days 20/25 years back. Inflation adjusted I don't think they are wildly different.
The key is the value the WRC offers for the spend and at the moment its just not delivering and that has to come down to the promotor. Grow the pie and the cost issues will fade - we can keep Rally1 or whatever replaces it, and maintain Rally2 as the great privateer/regional rule set that it already is.
I don't see Scotland happening, I've had some exposure to the process as I know a couple of the Rally NZ bigwigs and basically they're giving rounds to whoever pays the most and the promoter will move the goalposts at the drop of a hat to do so. Additionally there are alot of countries looking to get a round with government supported proposals who are willing to throw money at getting a round for promotional purposes. Add into that the final complication of the calendar already being saturated with bids like the USA and Saudi already being promised (unofficially and officially) spots and you should start to realise unless there's a bunch of the central European rounds not going to be on the calendar in 2026 then the chances of the UK getting a round are practically zero in reality, whether they want a round and put a bid in or not - not that that makes for a good story/between event column.
Edited by Captain Obvious on Wednesday 30th October 19:52
Think this belongs here due to the subject, seems to be enjoying it. - https://www.facebook.com/DirtFishRally/videos/1094...
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