World Rally Cross

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Discussion

Pericoloso

44,044 posts

162 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
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Chunder ,you should enjoy rallycross NOW ,before it might be royally messed up with the proposed electric stuff.

So ,it's not as good as it used to be ,so are a huge number of other things in life ,not just motorsport.

I'm enjoying it enough to still travel to Europe to watch it.

redlancer

100 posts

164 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
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chunder27 said:
And this is what the promoter wants, he wants people who will spend hundreds of pounds at an event, on food, drink, local area. Whereas I and thousands of other rallycross fans of a generation would scoff at 30 quid on the day ticket.

If you are new, you don't know any better and that is what the promoter wants, they don't want people like me who simply want to watch.

It is an easy sell to a track then.

Sadly, that takes the sport away from where it has ALWAYS been, a largely amateur event, for working men and working men to watch. Drag racing has the right idea, two big events a year, literally dawn to dusk racing, 35 quid. Like it or loath it, that is value, and that is also an FIA series.

People think rallycross as always been expensive at the top level, but it really wasn't even in the GpB days, the performance you were buying in the late 80's for praps 20k, was staggering.

Motorsport is becoming more and more a rich mans sport to watch. And that is where I leave it. I find myself attending less and less big events these days as they simply are instruments of profit, not value or entertainment.

But, there will always be, sadly for older fans like me who realise they are being fleeced, people who will happily pay hundreds of pounds to watch a largely still amateur sport at a lousy venue with a bit of a lick of paint and some posh food. Same as they will happily pay hundreds of pounds to watch sport on telly when they never used to yet it was always there, same as they will pay ever more for concert tickets, major sports events, etc etc.

There are always those that say, Don't comment, go away. But where's the fun in that.

I was there in the good times, and that is what annoys me so much about what is going on now, this isn't progress for everyone, it is only for the chosen few.
Having now looked into rally cross, I see there's loads off events e.g. british championship. Is this not the grass roots your talking about and therefore still alive and well and after last weekend may be on more peoples radar.

Future of motorsport needs events like the WRX at Silverstone IMO to feed the other lesser events be it as spectators or participants.
I thought it was good racing, great facilities, loads to do in between.
Miles better than circuit racing and found it a very relaxing fun weekend. I saw some of the best drivers, 2 of my all time favorites, in great cars that not many privateers could afford so would we see cars like these if there was no manufacturers teams. Cars not behind a barrier but driving amongst us.
For families and kids it must come across as very open.
So it would cost around £90 quid for 3 days for a Parent/Child, £180 for a family of 4, which in football terms is about 90 minutes, 3x IMAX films, 45 minutes go-karting etc
I got to go out 5 times on track with racing drivers, drove myself on track, went sidewards in an f type and watched all the races bar one warm up all included in the entrance fee.
So all in all a brilliant weekend.
And I'll be the one with my 2 daughters stood in what ever the weather Rallygb will throw at us for 4 days watching similar cars and similar talents. If i pay face value it will be £300 for the privilage.

Look at the rally scene how many have to cancel due to lack of participants as it costs a lot to hire forest stages.
WRC gets charged around 3-5k a mile of forest stage as that's the cost to repair.
Events cost money, gate money alone doesn't support these events these days, its needs sponsorship and participants fees.

A lot of motorsport events that people complain re the cost to get in don't make money. e.g. CPOP lost money year in year out even when Bentley sponsored it.





RyanTank

2,850 posts

153 months

Wednesday 30th May 2018
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chunder27 said:
And there you have it

A meeting like this costing 200 quid.

That is insane for a race meeting.

But people like this seem happy to pay it, which is why it will never be back at Lydden

Thanks chap, you just ruined rallycross for the average working man, enjoy lll!
Ohh do fkoff with the constant berating of events and people who chose to go watch it. In your own words, don't like it don't comment.

The event will never go back to Lydden as its suffering from the same as any circuit in the UK. people moving next to it then complaining about the noise coming from there. And they haven't the space to accommodate the event WRX is becoming.

Nothing is the same as it was in the 80's, 90's or even the last decade. Its called progression and innovation. There's no getting away from it unfortunately.
Rallycross is still one of the most accessible grass roots motorsports after Autograss/Autocross/Road Rallying. You can compete in either of these events wit less than £5k, or even a £3k budget.

As unappealing as the whole speedmachines event looked on paper it seems to have worked in practice. I couldn't afford the cost of going to Silverstone for the whole event, but would willingly have paid the day pass cost had I not been booked up all weekend
British Rallycross is at Pembrey in a few weeks and tickets are £12 per day. So £25 for both days racing and probably 2 greasy spoon burger vans selling budget burgers for the best part of £6. is this going to stop me or anyone else going. No. Is the lack of "top teams" attending stopping me from going? No. I will go even if its just the minis racing because its exciting at such a basic level. I know of few other championships in the UK where you get so much action on the day. there's 10 categories in the championship and action on both days is scheduled to go from 9am through until 6pm

chunder27

2,309 posts

207 months

Thursday 31st May 2018
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In terms of feeding the future?

You do know that amateurs are not allowed to compete in any way with the full WRX guys? That was sorted last year, they never qualify or race with anyone other than their own WRX guys.

Of course there is grass roots rallycross, of which I will usually watch a couple of rounds a year.

But WRX doing that they are doing is not helping the existing tracks, we have less and less RX tracks in the country now, Lydden losing WRX means they are struggling like hell now.

I couldn't care less about what people think about what I write, my opinion is like an ahole, we all have one, and no-one else has to read it. Comment if you like, but be constructive maybe. Not everyone thinks everything is awesome, I am not personally having a pop at people, merely remarking on their motivations going to things and how that then affects the sport for everyone else.

If I was to suggest improvements for WRX going forward? Race on better tracks, the layouts of most tracks don't show off the cars, they are super fast, yet from a distance look less so as the tracks are very tight. Lydden in some areas showed them off superbly until they emasculated it with hardly any gravel and crap tyres they use now.

You have to allow the amateurs to compete with the pros, that has always been the way even when there were works drivers of a sort and rich amateurs. Let's see IMG looking to help grass roots rallycross, something they have done nothing at all to do. Simply relying on money to progress.

They are things I would like to see. Maybe then I would have a better opinion, as right now it is just a cash grab capitalising on the fact that WEC and F1 are suffering some of the worst periods in their history.

TommoAE86

2,659 posts

126 months

Thursday 31st May 2018
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Chunder27 is it that you are believing all the teams in the WRX to be the elites? Personally I see it that anyone can get into a final, look how close the GCK and the Hyundai's are getting, almost always getting semi's and fighting for a chance in the final, they are relatively underfunded compared to the other teams and with relatively new-ish drivers so could be classed as amateur.

There is plenty of cheap sport to watch in the UK, cost me £33 to watch privateers and factory drivers in the BTCC at Thruxton the other weekend and the only bad thing about that was leaving the venue at the end (which was plain awful).

There is a problem with Silverstone that needs to be addressed before I return and that's the track, it's truly awful and is the only one that doesn't support the ethos of a WRX track at all. The viewing is awful and the track is boring, they could possibly remedy the viewing by putting decent grandstands around the whole lot but really the layout needs changing as one good corner is not enough. Also that stupid jump needs toning down, all it was doing was breaking cars and stopping them from racing.

The track at Lydden is still one of the best WRX tracks I've been too in the UK, however there is still great sport there, the British RX round with Higgins was an excellent day out, hopefully that will morph into a amateur feeder for Euro RX/WRX

chunder27

2,309 posts

207 months

Thursday 31st May 2018
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You miss the point chap

In the past there was no ERX or WRX.

Everyone was on an equal footing, but a few years back, IMG decided to split them both, yet they still raced in heats together, so further still they said WRX reg drivers only ever race together. These were the same teams and drivers that basically were winning in ERC before.

So it's gone from a free for all where a guy with a clever car design, or a unique approach to driving or a risky tyre choice now can only win a race in a series with very little tv coverage. Namely ERX. IN the past he could win a round of the championship, it happened rarely but it has happened.

That's my point, I think the teams that are in WRX are all fairly rich and equal, some have paid to be there but have no chance of winning, more fool them, others are simply factory supported teams like the Peugeot, VW and Audi efforts, with all the extra wallop that gives them.

But I liked the chance that a guy could beat them in a 3 year old car he prepared well, drive well and maybe did something different. That is still possible, but they would have the massive expense of registering for the WRX series rather than the way before when they were all in it together.

TommoAE86

2,659 posts

126 months

Friday 1st June 2018
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Fair enough thanks for the education (genuinely), but if it's changed so much since 2014 then why continue to watch/follow it (in WRX form)? It seems to have diverged so far from the origins that's its completely different from when you want to see. I've been catching up on the seasons my friend has on DVD and while I agree that any year from 1981 - 1992 (where I'm upto now) is much better than now, it has had to change like pretty much every other sport around these days.




chunder27

2,309 posts

207 months

Friday 1st June 2018
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Personally I think all that was need was the push in terms of PR, media etc and the backing and financial clout to do thatw as never likely within the people that were running it before.

Sadly, they have also decided to change things for me a little too much.

Might work for others and newcomers, but not for me.

I still have passion for it and simply hope this new revolution doesn't work!

aeropilot

34,297 posts

226 months

Sunday 3rd June 2018
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chunder27 said:
Why would I give a flying about what you thin about what I post?

I certainly wouldn't waste time on a thread pointing it out.

Just ignore stuff if you don't like it.

I speak from being a fan of this sport since 1985, so am more qualified than most to voice concerns about what is being done.
Pah....you 'new to rallycross' young fans....... biggrinwink

And from an old fart that's been following the sport for at least 10 years longer than that, I agree with you completely.

Watched it this morning on TV.........it looked grim, track is bloody awful.

But, old gits like me are not the target audience for this 'new version' of Rallycross.




chunder27

2,309 posts

207 months

Sunday 3rd June 2018
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I do what i can.

I never clip on any youtube WRX links or go on their website. I try!!

All you can do as an individual.

the kids all love Tinseltown, but anyone with a fibre of rallycross past in their DNA knows what is being done is for money, nothing else.

Pericoloso

44,044 posts

162 months

Sunday 7th July 2019
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No posts for 13 months.
If anybody else watched the RX from Sweden today and fancy going to an European event.
You've just seen the best venue !
It's not called "The magic weekend" for no reason.
I went in 2015.
It really is SO GOOD.

chunder27

2,309 posts

207 months

Sunday 7th July 2019
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Best RX round I have seen since Spa, watched most of it online.

But what do you expect it is a proper track not an IMG car park.

Pericoloso

44,044 posts

162 months

Sunday 7th July 2019
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I've not seen much of it this year,I did see the last round in Hell too.
A good entry of 24 in Sweden and bonus for the spectators of the European supercars too.
Good to see a new Fiesta being competitive,a sponsor would be handy if they're going to keep going.

den88

2 posts

56 months

Wednesday 10th July 2019
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Also interested in it

WhiteBaron

1,393 posts

225 months

Thursday 18th July 2019
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https://lyddenhill.co.uk/events/titans-rx-europe is at Lydden on 27th/28th.... i'd be going if it didnt clash with Silverstone classic

Pericoloso

44,044 posts

162 months

Saturday 16th November 2019
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No interest in the final round in South Africa ?

I didn't watch it until during the week and with 3 drivers with a chance of being champions up to the final ,the racing was awesome,with a mental final with spin outs and a tie in points at the end of it.

In case anyone wants to watch I won't spoil it but the bloke on 2nd podium place was VERY unhappy.

TommoAE86

2,659 posts

126 months

Saturday 16th November 2019
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Saw it live, disappointed by both the participants.

In other news;

No British round of the WRX in 2020 - yikes can’t believe they are missing out. Though maybe this might help Lydden get planning permission to hold it in 2021.

Also I’m looking forward to the Hyundai’s and Gronholm next year - I hope he is in contention right to the end.

Pericoloso

44,044 posts

162 months

Saturday 16th November 2019
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Bakkerud slid wide ,Timmy went for a small gap and ends up being knocked off ,rejoins and luckily due to Scheider's

retirement gets enough points in 4th place.

That's the way I saw it and seemingly the stewards too as no inquest afterwards.

aeropilot

34,297 posts

226 months

Saturday 16th November 2019
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TommoAE86 said:
No British round of the WRX in 2020 - yikes can’t believe they are missing out.
Moving it to Stupidstone worked out as well then ... rolleyes


TommoAE86

2,659 posts

126 months

Saturday 16th November 2019
quotequote all
Pericoloso said:
That's the way I saw it and seemingly the stewards too as no inquest afterwards.
Sorry I meant the aftermath, the race itself I agree with you and saw it the same way. Both of them and their respective fans were so full of rubbish it was just silly.

Agree Aeropilot, been to Silverstone and while the toilets were better that was it, everything else was so antiseptic and you couldn't see anything properly. frown

Edit: https://www.autosport.com/wrx/news/147118/world-rx...

Summary of reasons: Not financially viable, companies didn't want to use more of Silverstone, not good enough transport links, not enough attendance - and linked, not enough people wanted to camp.

Thank the cost of the last two points - no wonder attendance was down.




Edited by TommoAE86 on Saturday 16th November 22:25