I know that night stages are not so good for promotion and should be "disaster" for live coverage, but they always have been important part of rallysport...
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Perhaps Evans didn’t quote everything, but Mr. Tavares words in that article don’t make any special mention to rally; he only says Opel will, in due time, be able to get a motorsport program, like all PSA brands.
Before knowing if Citroen can fix the C3 and continue beyond 2019 (Tavares already told the program is for 3 to 5 years), it makes little sense to insist Citroen will be replaced in the WRC by Peugeot, Opel, DS or Vauxhall…
The future 208 will be launched in 2019 with a full electric version and some other Peugeot, Citroen and DS models will get electric very soon. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/n...a-ev-push-2018
Well that's manus decisions and money. No matter how big scene is somewhere always there is someone with bag of money and personal interests.
As far as I'm concerned, the decision to move the event to early October could be a major downside since the probable lack of muddy/foggy conditions like in 2012 (even if at the time it was held in September). Fixed or similar calendar slots should be granted to rounds whose challenging nature is defined by weather conditions (Monte Carlo, GB,...). This way it would be more likely to have the proper conditions.
You're right, night stages could be a disaster for live coverage but there should be no excuses for skipping them in daily recaps, since they use a recorded footage. I remember of Spain night stages in 2013 to be shown for barely 10 seconds in the highlights. It seems they are not even bothering. The video below shows them that it's possible.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q93_dEYLLk
At least ALL LIVE is a step forward in all ways.
Re Opel into WRC... I think its a possibility if only because the brand needs a huge boost. It really needs something to help get it seen again and seen as something cool to own/drive.
PSA appears to be looking more to the comfort-based and luxury market with its French road cars. Opel could be their new 'sporty' brand.
I just don't understand their thinking; the last 3 weekends have seen Sportscar races with plenty of night racing......Nobody there is calling for the end of night racing....it adds to the sport.
The decision makers in rallying are detached from reality; Endurance & Night stages seem to go against their view of the sport.