Shake ups for the WRC in 2007
Discussion
A few changes coming forth from the FIA, the first major one I guess is a move to a single tyre supplier.
I've pondered this for a while and I guess in my mind it's a good thing. It should certainly level the field a little. I was a bit surprised to see that they are banning the use of run flat foam systems.
And talking wheels and tyres, I see it will now be forbidden for a car running on less than 4 wheels to be driven on a liason section.
I think this is a poor decision. There's something raw and exciting, a thrill that reaches to the very core of rallying in seeing a car limp into service missing a corner. Then to see the mechanics descend on it and get it fixed and ready for the next stage.
Now, couple this with the removal of the run flat systems and I guess we will see a lot of retirements purely due to punctures where the car is driven on it rim which then collapses.
Great news though is Ireland getting a slot! I was mightily surprised at this, however, November in Ireland isn't much fun so I'm off to find some hotels and book me room.
I've pondered this for a while and I guess in my mind it's a good thing. It should certainly level the field a little. I was a bit surprised to see that they are banning the use of run flat foam systems.
And talking wheels and tyres, I see it will now be forbidden for a car running on less than 4 wheels to be driven on a liason section.
I think this is a poor decision. There's something raw and exciting, a thrill that reaches to the very core of rallying in seeing a car limp into service missing a corner. Then to see the mechanics descend on it and get it fixed and ready for the next stage.
Now, couple this with the removal of the run flat systems and I guess we will see a lot of retirements purely due to punctures where the car is driven on it rim which then collapses.
Great news though is Ireland getting a slot! I was mightily surprised at this, however, November in Ireland isn't much fun so I'm off to find some hotels and book me room.
Edited by TheExcession on Monday 10th July 16:55
Which tyre supplier? Pirelli? If so, we might actually see some decent sideways action on tarmac. 
I agree on the "missing a corner" ruling. If the car can be driven - even with only three wheels - it should be allowed.
Just found the media release:
I'm sad to see Australia is no longer in the calendar. Especially when our first full-time entrant in the WRC (Chris Atkinson) had just rekindled some interest in the sport.
I agree on the "missing a corner" ruling. If the car can be driven - even with only three wheels - it should be allowed.
Just found the media release:
FIA said:
As a cost saving measure, a limit on the number of engines, with a single specification per year, will be introduced from 1 January 2007. The number of engines, with detailed regulations, will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
Applicable from 1 January 2007, the existing Super Rally rules will be replaced by a system of bonus points applied for each leg of a rally (1st = 3 points, 2nd = 2 points and 3rd = 1 point), to ensure the final classification applies only to competitors who complete the entire route. Detailed regulations will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
From 1 January 2007, Priority 1 drivers can only test for the manufacturer for which they are designated and, as part of a long-term objective, the number of test days will be reduced by means of technical measures.
Remote servicing, under restricted conditions, will be permitted from 1 January 2007. Detailed regulations will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
Drivers of Super 2000 cars taking part in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship can score points for the Championship classification, as of 1 January 2007. Detailed regulations will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
From the beginning of the 2008 season, all World Rally Car entrants will use tyres from a single supplier. Run-flat ‘foam’ will not be permitted. Tenders will be invited from tyre companies.
The introduction of Biofuel, at the earliest opportunity, is being studied by the FIA Technical Department.
From 1 January 2007, it will be forbidden for competition cars running on less than four wheels to be driven on liaison sections. Detailed regulations will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
The World Motor Sport Council approved the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship calendar, which will continue to run to the existing January-December format.
2007 FIA World Rally Championship
19-21 January Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo
09-11 February Swedish Rally
16-18 February Rally Norway
09-11 March Rally Mexico
30 March-01 April Rally de Portugal
04-06 May Rally Argentina
18-20 May Rally Italia-Sardinia
01-03 June Acropolis Rally of Greece
03-05 August Rally Finland
17-19 August Rallye Deutschland
31 August-02 September Rally New Zealand
05-07 October Rallye de France - Tour de Corse
12-14 October Rallye de España
26-28 October Rally Japan
16-18 November Rally Ireland
30 November-02 December Rally GB
The World Rally Championship Commission will decide whether to add further events to the 2007 calendar and will make a proposal at the next World Council meeting, together with a new method for the scoring of points counting towards the Championship.
The FIA Junior and Production Car World Rally Championship rounds will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
Applicable from 1 January 2007, the existing Super Rally rules will be replaced by a system of bonus points applied for each leg of a rally (1st = 3 points, 2nd = 2 points and 3rd = 1 point), to ensure the final classification applies only to competitors who complete the entire route. Detailed regulations will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
From 1 January 2007, Priority 1 drivers can only test for the manufacturer for which they are designated and, as part of a long-term objective, the number of test days will be reduced by means of technical measures.
Remote servicing, under restricted conditions, will be permitted from 1 January 2007. Detailed regulations will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
Drivers of Super 2000 cars taking part in the FIA Production Car World Rally Championship can score points for the Championship classification, as of 1 January 2007. Detailed regulations will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
From the beginning of the 2008 season, all World Rally Car entrants will use tyres from a single supplier. Run-flat ‘foam’ will not be permitted. Tenders will be invited from tyre companies.
The introduction of Biofuel, at the earliest opportunity, is being studied by the FIA Technical Department.
From 1 January 2007, it will be forbidden for competition cars running on less than four wheels to be driven on liaison sections. Detailed regulations will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
The World Motor Sport Council approved the 2007 FIA World Rally Championship calendar, which will continue to run to the existing January-December format.
2007 FIA World Rally Championship
19-21 January Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo
09-11 February Swedish Rally
16-18 February Rally Norway
09-11 March Rally Mexico
30 March-01 April Rally de Portugal
04-06 May Rally Argentina
18-20 May Rally Italia-Sardinia
01-03 June Acropolis Rally of Greece
03-05 August Rally Finland
17-19 August Rallye Deutschland
31 August-02 September Rally New Zealand
05-07 October Rallye de France - Tour de Corse
12-14 October Rallye de España
26-28 October Rally Japan
16-18 November Rally Ireland
30 November-02 December Rally GB
The World Rally Championship Commission will decide whether to add further events to the 2007 calendar and will make a proposal at the next World Council meeting, together with a new method for the scoring of points counting towards the Championship.
The FIA Junior and Production Car World Rally Championship rounds will be proposed at the next World Council meeting.
Edited by Jungles on Tuesday 11th July 01:19
I'm sad to see Australia is no longer in the calendar. Especially when our first full-time entrant in the WRC (Chris Atkinson) had just rekindled some interest in the sport.
Edited by Jungles on Tuesday 11th July 01:22
There was a mention on the Subaru rally website of how pirelli are considering whether rallying is the direction they wanted their marketing to be going, or words to that effect. So basically yes they are considering pulling out.
Have to agree that the new 3-wheels rule is pathetic, if its driveable it should be allowed to be driven, unless its actively dangerous rather than disabled.
Personally I'd like a complete restructure of WRC into 3 classes (probably)
-Current WRC returned to group A, production-based cars.
-I don't know the details of f2 / super1600 / whatever its called now but that could stay I guess
-And a third class, fairly open 2wd production cars with a power limit of say 400bhp.
Safety measures and crowd control have moved on significantly since group B was killed so theres no real reason to limit them all to ~300bhp, 2wd would also make it harder to use their power so they would likely still be much slower than grp B, while providing an excellent spectacle - would have to use rwd cars as fwd won't be able to put that sort of power down, but a 400bhp or so limit includes the likes of Porsche GT3's, Tweaked Nissan 200SX's etc - this would probably function better as a privateer class with ability to use older vehicles, but I guess its much less likely to gain support from manufacturers as its not saying 'buy our new car'.
We can but hope...
Have to agree that the new 3-wheels rule is pathetic, if its driveable it should be allowed to be driven, unless its actively dangerous rather than disabled.
Personally I'd like a complete restructure of WRC into 3 classes (probably)
-Current WRC returned to group A, production-based cars.
-I don't know the details of f2 / super1600 / whatever its called now but that could stay I guess
-And a third class, fairly open 2wd production cars with a power limit of say 400bhp.
Safety measures and crowd control have moved on significantly since group B was killed so theres no real reason to limit them all to ~300bhp, 2wd would also make it harder to use their power so they would likely still be much slower than grp B, while providing an excellent spectacle - would have to use rwd cars as fwd won't be able to put that sort of power down, but a 400bhp or so limit includes the likes of Porsche GT3's, Tweaked Nissan 200SX's etc - this would probably function better as a privateer class with ability to use older vehicles, but I guess its much less likely to gain support from manufacturers as its not saying 'buy our new car'.
We can but hope...
welcome to PH Jimisaracer properly noisy? - you might have a point there, there is something about the adrenalin hit you get from a seriously loud engines
. Having been to F1, and hung around plenty or WRC stat/finish lines for the last few years, I still can't find anything to compare the noise to a round of the World Super Bike series at Donington park. The anti lag on a Skoda comes a very close second though. GravelBen said:
but I guess it's much less likely to gain support from manufacturers as its not saying 'buy our new car'.
.. and this I fear is the future of the sport. I think TeamD pointed out one day that rally at WRC level now is so far removed from club level, club level is where 'rallying in the spirit of rallying' is really taking place.
For me, the WRC is fascinating, it's amazing in fact. I love the technology, I love the seriousness of it all, I love the dedication and the massive amounts of money that are put into it, it really has got to be, and is the pinnacle of getting your car from A to B faster than anyone else can do it, no matter what the tarrain, what the weather, what the whatever.
But the spirit is being lost. In 2002 I worked on the WRC and in Kenya I had a choice. Live in a 5 start hotel in Nairobi for a week or 'slum' it in a tent at the Service Park, getting covered in dust, chased by lions and tigers and generally mixing it with everyone else 'working' on to get their car to the finish ahead of everyone else.
Truly it was one of the most memorable weeks of my life. These days, as has been said many times in these forums, it's just becoming a set of short sprints. All the teams are being given undercover service areas, protected from the heat or cold of the event, every decision is a cost saving, nothing is being given to the sport
It's becoming so sanitised more as each season passes - such a shame. Rallying to me is about freezing your tits of in Sweden, boiling your brains out in Greece or Turkey. It's about having a team of people that can support and maintain a top class driver, the navigator and their machinery, and keep them going throughout the entire event. Even right down to the guy's that cook your food.
It's like when we were in Kenya, at the end of an evening, I'd stumble up the hill to my tent, a very nice tent with camp bed, electric light and flushing toilet. Upon arrival a very friendly Kenyan chap wuld bring a large bucket of hot water and set it up for my shower. I'd wash under starlight watching the moon rise over distant mountains before heading off for a meal and then a whiskey and conversation about the days events round the camp fire. Then off to bed and rise again at 4 to get ready for the days first stage.
Admittedly in Monte Carlo the frown on you if you want to live in a tent rather than the 5* hotel rooms they insist on putting you in but I think you get my drift.
Let's hope the real spirit of rallying can return to the sport sometime.
GravelBen said:
Have to agree that the new 3-wheels rule is pathetic, if its driveable it should be allowed to be driven, unless its actively dangerous rather than disabled.
Loeb in Greece this year, safe of actively dangerous?!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR_W09Lg3tU
Great to watch though!
mcecm said:
GravelBen said:
Have to agree that the new 3-wheels rule is pathetic, if its driveable it should be allowed to be driven, unless its actively dangerous rather than disabled.
Loeb in Greece this year, safe of actively dangerous?!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR_W09Lg3tU
Great to watch though!
Safe? - perfectly as far as I'm concerned - these guy's are the best in the world.
As for the super rally rules that let him back to claim a second place... well that's a question that hopefully the FIA have fixed with the new points system.
mcecm said:
GravelBen said:
Have to agree that the new 3-wheels rule is pathetic, if its driveable it should be allowed to be driven, unless its actively dangerous rather than disabled.
Loeb in Greece this year, safe of actively dangerous?!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR_W09Lg3tU
Great to watch though!
However, the tyre and various components (some of it quite heavy) falling off the car makes me think that it should not have been allowed to continue. On public roads, that to me says, "actively dangerous".
The Excession, thanks for the welcome. Some of the anti-lagged cars can sound kind of interesting but nothing compared to the bellow of the 6R4, MK2 Escort or Stratos of my youth!
I think the wheel missing rules are ridicoulous, Loeb could drive a 1 wheeled car better and more safely that most of the driving population!
I think the wheel missing rules are ridicoulous, Loeb could drive a 1 wheeled car better and more safely that most of the driving population!
TheExcession said:
For me, the WRC is fascinating, it's amazing in fact. I love the technology, I love the seriousness of it all, I love the dedication and the massive amounts of money that are put into it, it really has got to be, and is the pinnacle of getting your car from A to B faster than anyone else can do it, no matter what the tarrain, what the weather, what the whatever.
But the spirit is being lost.
But the spirit is being lost.
WRC and F1 are being bleed dry by idotic rule makers. Control tyres and this silly engine rule....WTF!
When are these rule makers going to understand that a serious 'back to basics' attitude in needed to prevent F1 and WRC becoming a complete farce.
I've gone from rallying addict to total indifference in 25 years, and it appears I'm not a minority, but still the rule makers come up with ever more daft ideas.
Rallying should still be about a compromise between speed/navigation/endurance etc.
These days of repeated compact practice routes, office hours sprint events in utlra expensive technology packed specials is just ridiculous IMHO.
A crew only has to have one problem and that's it, you'll never make the time up.
Gone are the days of being able to change a wheel on stage knowing you still had 40 stages and 3 more days and nights to make up the time.......
It's not going to happen in a million years but,
I'd like to see:-
Return to homolgated production cars.
Ban 4 wheel drive, which negates the need for all these silly engine restriction rules as the laws of physics will limit engine power, as would a ban on any electronic's controlling transmissions etc.
No more repeated stages with a 3 day/2 night format to reintroduce some endurance back into events with proper night stages.
Reduction of speeds and costs would come by banning of practice/pace notes, and a 'secret' format as the RAC used to be.
Get rallying back to what rallying should be, and stop trying to turn into a spectator/TV arena type sprint event, that's what rallycross is afterall, so why doesn't the FIA do more to promote rallycross for a world wide spectacle event and turn rallying back to it's roots....??
Perhaps I'm just an old git, but the amount of guys in my motorclub abdoning international events and electing to go down the historic/marathon route is not small by any means.
Edited by aeropilot on Wednesday 12th July 11:52
Edited by aeropilot on Wednesday 12th July 11:57
Now then Mr TheExcession and Mr AeroPilot
it appears you're talking sense and actually care about our wonderful sport - we can't have that level of fervor nowadays you know. Kindly take a cold shower and return to watching the latest WRC procession on the Tube, we'll have no more discussion about how great things once were, how national pride and interest made people walk for hours in forests all over the UK... and when it was dark too..... can you imagine the lentilist Health and safety muppets allowing night stages now!
Seriously though chaps, 2 of the finest posts on the sport of rallying I've read in my years of rally forum membership.
The story of Kenya makes me want to dig out my "greatest years of rallying" DVD (dig it out!! who am I kidding, it lives in the DVD player!!) and get all misty eyed.
And, if you're listening up there, give us a rally comentator that actually understands even a smidge of the sport and sent that stupid bint back to commentating on t*sserball or lawn bowls or something... god she does my head in.
rant over... carry on
LongQ said:
Hmm.
Must check the entry list for this year's Lombard Revival ...
Must check the entry list for this year's Lombard Revival ...
www.endurorally.com/extra34.html
Hmm,
Whose this John Buffum bloke coming all the way from the States then?
Given that PH'er Graham Dance was last year's winning navigator I think a strong and supportive PH spectator turn out would be appropriate. Not that it is running in the North this year. Maybe the Yorkshire crew could turn out en masse?
(Sorry for the hi-jack.)
LongQ said:
Whose this John Buffum bloke coming all the way from the States then?
Pardon me for asking but is that a serious question?
Good bloke is John (Stuff'em Buffum, first competitive in 1964 behind the maps.
Most successfull ever USA rally driver. Drove works Quattros for a while.
Never quite understood why USA rallying has never really been on the pace, they have the forests for it, a bit sandy many of the stages but worth a pop.
edited cos I mispelt Quattro
100 lines FIF......
Edited by Flat in Fifth on Sunday 16th July 17:17
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buf
One of the pilots of the Group B era - in the US.
One of the pilots of the Group B era - in the US.
Flat in Fifth said:
Never quite understood why USA rallying has never really been on the pace, they have the forests for it, a bit sandy many of the stages but worth a pop.
They have two mainstream national rally championship, AFAIK. Stig Blomqvist used to compete in one of them recently, and did quite well despite his age. Edited by Jungles on Monday 17th July 01:24
Found this on the CAMS (Confederation of Australian Motorsport) website:
CAMS said:
2007 WRC Calendar - Rally Australia
CAMS Media Release
6 Jul 2006
The FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) met in Paris on July 5 and considered a number of proposals, including various matters relating to the 2007 World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar.
It is understood that one of the proposals put forward by the WRC Commission was for a rotational system of events which would allow the inclusion of several new candidate events, but would result in some events running on alternate years. This proposal however was not adopted by the WMSC.
In order to encourage these candidate events, the WMSC has approved a draft list for the 2007 calendar, which includes Rally Norway, Rally de Portugal and Rally Ireland as new events in a rotation. This calendar does not presently include Rally Australia in 2007.
The FIA has stated that the WRC Commission will consider the inclusion of further events to the 2007 calendar, including Rally Australia. CAMS believes there is a high probability that this will be two weeks after the date currently set for Rally New Zealand. This will be decided at the next WMSC meeting in October.
CAMS understands that the WRC Commission will also specify that teams will need to compete in a certain number of events outside Europe and that a pairing with Rally New Zealand will provide an excellent opportunity for teams to attend both that event and Rally Australia, which is planned for the East coast of Australia in 2007.
CAMS looks forward to a positive outcome from the next WRC Commission and WMSC meetings.
-------
END
For further information please contact:
Chris Terpos, Communications Coordinator, CAMS
Tel: (03) 9593 7777
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION PURPOSES - NO REGULATORY VALUE
CAMS Media Release
6 Jul 2006
The FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) met in Paris on July 5 and considered a number of proposals, including various matters relating to the 2007 World Rally Championship (WRC) calendar.
It is understood that one of the proposals put forward by the WRC Commission was for a rotational system of events which would allow the inclusion of several new candidate events, but would result in some events running on alternate years. This proposal however was not adopted by the WMSC.
In order to encourage these candidate events, the WMSC has approved a draft list for the 2007 calendar, which includes Rally Norway, Rally de Portugal and Rally Ireland as new events in a rotation. This calendar does not presently include Rally Australia in 2007.
The FIA has stated that the WRC Commission will consider the inclusion of further events to the 2007 calendar, including Rally Australia. CAMS believes there is a high probability that this will be two weeks after the date currently set for Rally New Zealand. This will be decided at the next WMSC meeting in October.
CAMS understands that the WRC Commission will also specify that teams will need to compete in a certain number of events outside Europe and that a pairing with Rally New Zealand will provide an excellent opportunity for teams to attend both that event and Rally Australia, which is planned for the East coast of Australia in 2007.
CAMS looks forward to a positive outcome from the next WRC Commission and WMSC meetings.
-------
END
For further information please contact:
Chris Terpos, Communications Coordinator, CAMS
Tel: (03) 9593 7777
FOR MEDIA INFORMATION PURPOSES - NO REGULATORY VALUE
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