Originally Posted by
Mirek
You still speak about top class drivers but that's not the point. The rally isn't only top guys. How about all those cheap FWD, old gr.N cars etc.? Look at it from ERC promoter view. Why shall it hold an event somewhere where the locals don't take part? Hell, even in Acores which are tiny islands somewhere in the middle of nowhere there were 23 Portuguese crews on start of the ERC event (there is also national rally along which I don't count). Portugal is small and clearly isn't rich country but their drivers still start.
I do speak about bigger picture. As I said before why the promoter shall hold an ERC event in a country where local crews don't take part in THAT ERC event? For sake of tradition and great stages? Maybe yes but it's very sad to say the least. The same about Acropolis. I believe You that the rally was success among public but it needs more or at least it shall bring more. There is 68 million of people living on The Islands which are among the richest countries in the world. Why 10 million tiny countries like Belgium or Czech republic can have 3x more starters, not even speaking about 5 millions of Finns?