The 2018 Rallying thread..(WRC, ERC, etc)

[Alex Langheck]

Well, it's 2018, so we may as well start a new thread. Let's hope it's more popular than the last few years.


https://www.autosport.com/wrc/news/133724/wrc-cons...

And the first story is just ridiculous.....Where will it end? Events are short enough as they are currently.

[Alex Langheck]

WRC 2018 was launched today at the Autosport Show.......

I can tell everybody was excited about this.

This year WRC+ will have all stages live - for the sum 89.99Euros......


http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/news/january-2018/wrc-al...

[Alex Langheck]

RyanTank said:

Nice to see the launch of the 2018 WRC was covered by all outlets yesterday

Hmm, I thought the whole point of launching it at the Autosport Show was to generate interest in this years WRC. As normal, it was just the usual rally journalists covering it....

[Alex Langheck]

Hmm, no Delecour, no Porsche 911 R- GT's, only 3 ( I think) Abarth 124 R-GT's......

The FiA should have just allowed GT3's for use in WRC/ ERC rallying; there are hundreds of them of all makes. Instead of the R-GT class which simply hasn't delivered.

[Alex Langheck]

The Monte has become less of the 'lottery' event that it used to be - it's now a 'normal' type WRC event. I'm not sure whether that is down to the tyre choice being limited, but I think 2011 was the last time we saw a massive shake up in the classification due to weather & tyre choice. Another event similar to that would be welcome.

[Alex Langheck]

sanf said:

Signed up to the app today with a month free trial - got it working on my iPhone, laptop and best of all Amazon Firestick - so am watching it on my main telly.....:thumb:

Now I've got it on the Firestick, if they improve the coverage then my BT subscription could be at risk.

I do wonder what happened to the live BT Sport coverage? For the last 3-4 years, they've had the first stage of the Monte on live......I was expecting the same again; which is why I didn't bother signing up for the new service. I hope they're not cutting back on live TV stage coverage - and trying to get people to sign up to WRC All Live, as that's a poor strategy....

And all the while I could watch the Rolex 24 Hour qualifying free, and without signing up.....

[Alex Langheck]

I still think the IRC Monte coverage provided by Eurosport is the best rally coverage we've seen.... this has potential, but needs more tweeks.

And, why hasn't there been a WRC preview on here? C'mon Pistonheads.....get it sorted.

There seems to be more interest in Daytona than the Monte....

[Alex Langheck]

KillianB4 said:

The best way to get stage times and overall positions seems to be in the "live maps" section. (provided you have WRC+) but the app and website need a bit of work if they want to keep people on board.

For the first weekend of "All Live" they did have some technical difficulties but I'm thrilled they've got full coverage now instead of the poxy 2 stages a day and at least you can watch stages you have missed now as well. Monte 2018 was pretty good, surprised there isn't much chatter about it here. This season will be very tight I think and I hope we see Ogier dethroned to keep it interesting.

I think WRC+ All Live has potential, just needs a few tweeks – and as a paid service, it has to be reliable. It seems to be what the true rallyfans want.
My issue is the free to air Live coverage; it has to be more than one stage on RedBullTV. Look at the interest in the WRC on this thread; very limited, and in a quiet time for motorsport (apart from Daytona). F1 off season talk gets more interest….

[Alex Langheck]

Unless there is a magic money tree in Dovenby, then I can't see how M-Sport could lure Loeb. Ford in the US aren't interested in WRC - and the WRC still can't attract big money sponsors.......

[Alex Langheck]

How generous of them to offer him 1 round; he's been treated appallingly.