Thread: [IRC] Rally Sliven 2012

Originally Posted by OgyWRC

The IRC Sliven entry list readings are not very exciting so far. It looks that the IRC devaluation continues following ERC deterioration. To some extend it can be a result of weak EU economy environment and lower consumer demand in smaller countries (not favorable for sponsorship). Anyway, some kind of administrative regulation for a number of rounds participation may play a helping hand in some rallies like Yalta and Sliven.

Nevertheless, I expect local (Bulgarian and Turkish) teams to perform a thrilling battle at some of the most demanding tarmac stages in Bulgaria. The knowledge of Balkan roads should be a great advantage for Bulgarian crews, so one must expect competitive performance in all classes … pay attention to the Citroen Saxo drivers, most of them from the town of Sliven.

Pluto, I will appreciate your opinion on what is behind the top drivers unwillingness to compete in Sliven! There are no Czech teams either …

Drivers and teams from IRC are not interested in competing on events in Ukraine, Romania or Bulgaria. Including this events was one of the reasons why some drivers decided not to start in IRC this year. But of course, there is more other reasons, this is only one of them.

Originally Posted by PLuto

Drivers and teams from IRC are not interested in competing on events in Ukraine, Romania or Bulgaria. Including this events was one of the reasons why some drivers decided not to start in IRC this year. But of course, there is more other reasons, this is only one of them.

What is the reason?

If just take a look on last year list, everything was ok.
http://www.yaltarally.com/wp-content...y-list-IRC.pdf

What's wrong this year?

Last year there was still competition of Škoda and Peugeot which we don't have anymore when Peugeot quit and stopped support to its importer teams.

Ok, but it doesn't explain "Including this events was one of the reasons why some drivers decided not to start in IRC this year."

AFAIK Citroën was thinking about making an IRC DS3 Cup but later they were not interested in the calendar.

Btw, Pusjkar confirmed he will not go to Sliven, because of broken car, but he will take part in San-Remo

Originally Posted by OgyWRC

... let's not forget that in the same time Rajd Polski will take place ... not very clever ...

Yes, this is factor also. If Sliven was at its usual date (beginning of September) though, it would clash with Barum, which is also in IRC, but Poland not...

WRC and IRC calendar are made in confrontation.
Let's see just this year:
New Zealand vs Ypres,
GB vs Yalta

a lot of other stages in one week difference...

not wise imho

Originally Posted by PLuto

Drivers and teams from IRC are not interested in competing on events in Ukraine, Romania or Bulgaria. Including this events was one of the reasons why some drivers decided not to start in IRC this year. But of course, there is more other reasons, this is only one of them.

Thanks for reply. I guess you mean that sponsors/producers are not interested in advertising in listed above countries (also known as frontier markets) … but still there is a moderate Eurosport coverage, which seems not enough! Logistics may appear as another reason …

IRC requires a quite high fee from organizers, but what for? If it is just about profit taking, it won’t work in mid term.

Anyway, there is one more day for entries and I hope more teams will be attracted from the opportunity of IRC victory in the absence of factory drivers.

I don't think for Skoda as producer Ukraine is not interesting as market.
First of all Skoda has here production facilities.
Secondly market is growing.

We can check it here
http://www.volkswagenag.com/content/...11-ENGLISH.pdf

Page number 82

ŠKODA AUTO also increased delivered volumes in the Ukraine for the second consecutive year. The Company delivered 10,909 automobiles
to customers there and ended 2011 with a significant sales
increase of 42.6% (2010: + 17.1%).

If we compare e.g. to rich countries with big population like France, Skoda sold 22,356 cars, Spain - 15,873
So, it is comparable.

Especially if we analyse Ukrainian car market, there is the first place for Korean producers like Hyundai and KIA, so Skoda has where to grow.
Sure I don't take into consideration crap from Russia and local so called cars.

Maybe it is comparable to France, but Skoda was not interested to start on Yalta. There is lot of reasons for it (championship is over, no Peugeot rival, very close to Barum Rally, problems with visa and delivering cars over border). And basicly, this big teams are interested in races with "names" like Corse, Sanremo, Ypres. Also fans are not so interested in this events with "not so big names".

Those rallies belong maybe sadly but in the IRC garbage can, 10-11 events is good enough.

In general you are right about the "brand names", but Eurosport can promote some of this events ... fortunately they can become "brand names" like Barum did. Traditions are there, fans are there, Sliven stages were part of "Albena-Golden sands rally", which use to be "a name" in ERC thirty years ago.

RallyBase

I believe that the main drivers are money, the scale of the market, some personal relationships and the lack of good marketing strategy. Being a champion (driver/production) in championship with such neglect events is pointless. Can you imagine Hungarian Grand Prix without F1 top teams, because they just don't like it ... or Loeb not starting in Spain, because he is already a champion ...

I think the calendar has too much races. If there are 13 races and best 8 counting, everytime and everywhere the last races in September/October have the risk that many drivers are missing, due to money, due to decided championship. Watch the points classification, how much drivers are going to fight for IRC this year? And past two years? I think IRC was lucky this year to have Mikkelsen, and some times Skoda Factory.

Countries without big names have low entries, countries like Italy, Belgium, Czech, anyway they have fantastic entry list, also without IRC.

One point could be also, if Eurosport make big TV coverage or not. Ofcourse some crews make Races like Ypres or Barum, when TV show a lot, because of their Sponsors. And other thing, if Barum, Yalta and Sliven (and San Remo) are all with gaps of 2 weeks, its a problem for many crews.

Originally Posted by werner

I think the calendar has too much races. If there are 13 races and best 8 counting, everytime and everywhere the last races in September/October have the risk that many drivers are missing, due to money, due to decided championship. Watch the points classification, how much drivers are going to fight for IRC this year? And past two years? I think IRC was lucky this year to have Mikkelsen, and some times Skoda Factory.

Countries without big names have low entries, countries like Italy, Belgium, Czech, anyway they have fantastic entry list, also without IRC.

One point could be also, if Eurosport make big TV coverage or not. Ofcourse some crews make Races like Ypres or Barum, when TV show a lot, because of their Sponsors. And other thing, if Barum, Yalta and Sliven (and San Remo) are all with gaps of 2 weeks, its a problem for many crews.

Lets not forget the fact also that last 2 IRC rounds (right after Sliven) have bonus points. This is also a big issue.

This year I think only Cyprus.

@ Mirek
Do you know, Cyprus x1.5 or x2?

x2
How to take part - IRC Intercontinental Rally Challenge - Eurosport