Yesterday's Autocar.....

[AndyRAC]

While flicking through Autocar yesterday in WHSmith’s, I came across an interesting article by Chris Harris. His main point was how apart from MNews, it’s completely ignored by the press- and how many people knew the season had started, and that J-M Latvala was now the youngest winner of a WRC event. Also compare an event of 20-25 years ago with one now; noise, crowds, spectacle, cars. His main problem was 4WD cars – what is the point of them anymore – how many 4WD Focii or C4’s do you see on the road/showroom. Bring back RWD was the main gist of his point – interesting to see the view of an’outsider’ to the sport.

[cal]

I agree with him through a marketing view point - but on the other hand, how many RWD Focuses or C4's do you see on the road? I find it hard seeing them changing their cars to RWD.

[sal]

You cant buy many single seater v10 cars in the showroom but it's not doing Formula ones popularity any harm. If only it was as simple to fix as this journo is saying!

[DonJippo]

Maybe one should be working harder on getting a new real talent from UK to WRC rather than whining of the current state and dreaming about the past.

[sal]

In lat months Top Gear the Finnish svengali said he might consider taking on a Foreign driver. Perhaps you could lend him to us DJ?

[sal]

Its funny that journos are happy to take drives that might have gone to other drivers when the opportunity presents itself. In this months Evo one of their hacks is being given a free drive by Suzuki in the UK in their one make challenge in the BRC yet they arnt running a works team anymore. Perhaps the guy in Autocar should get himself to Clipstone this weekend and see the BHRC in action Lots of MK2 Escorts etc and a bulging entry list..

[J4MIE]

Is it this week's edition that Mikko said he would sell his house to buy a MkII Escort??

[RS]

Maybe one should be working harder on getting a new real talent from UK to WRC rather than whining of the current state and dreaming about the past.

He has got a point though, the cars are boring to watch. Seems the WRCars have simply got too good now. Hopefully S2000 Turbo with simpler transmissions will help this.

[Tomi]

In lat months Top Gear the Finnish svengali said he might consider taking on a Foreign driver. Perhaps you could lend him to us DJ?

i hope wilks would try.

[BDunnell]

While flicking through Autocar yesterday in WHSmith’s, I came across an interesting article by Chris Harris. His main point was how apart from MNews, it’s completely ignored by the press- and how many people knew the season had started, and that J-M Latvala was now the youngest winner of a WRC event. Also compare an event of 20-25 years ago with one now; noise, crowds, spectacle, cars. His main problem was 4WD cars – what is the point of them anymore – how many 4WD Focii or C4’s do you see on the road/showroom. Bring back RWD was the main gist of his point – interesting to see the view of an’outsider’ to the sport.

A German friend of mine who isn't a rally fan but is incredibly knowledgeable about sport knows who Ari Vatanen, Hannu Mikkola, Markku Alen, Stig Blomqvist, Henri Toivonen, etc, are; likewise, the likes of Carlos Sainz, Colin McRae, Richard Burns and Marcus Gronholm. The only two current WRC drivers he knows the names of are Sebastian Loeb and Petter Solberg. I know this doesn't really prove anything, but I find it indicative. Why on earth should anyone know who Latvala is, even though he has now won a WRC event, let alone Sordo or Galli?