Which rally should they add to the WRC-calendar?

[stefanvv]

They should first merge Deutschland with Alsace (France has "de-facto" two events in WRC, right now), giving Greece back its slot, then get on-board a Russian and Brazilian event, as both events could put fresh cash into the teams and the championship too.

All that IMHO.

Not bad idea for the merge

[er88]

French round can go or merge i agree- preferably go as france has the monte. This my dream calendar - that mixes important car markets wrc needs to visit and classic events. NB: I know this will never be the calendar its just a bit of fun
1. Monte- Tarmac/Snow
2. Sweden( one day in norway) - Snow
3. Mexico- Gravel
4. Brazil- Gravel
5. Argentina- Gravel
6. Italy(sanremo) - Tarmac
7.Spain(catalunya- full tarmac)- Tarmac
8.Portugal- Gravel
9.Greece( Acropolis)- Gravel
10. Finland- Gravel
11.Russia- Gravel
12. Germany- Tarmac
13. Japan- Tarmac
14. China- Gravel
15. New Zealand-Gravel
16. Australia- Gravel
17.Rally GB( Proper RAC style)

[lewalcindor]

I'd like to see them bring back the Kenyan Safari rally. Almost 10 hours of slowly driving through dusty gravel paths, glutinous mud, and deep waters. I'd imagine that the modern WRC cars would fare better than the old Group A and Group B cars in terms of reliability.

[Mirek]

It was by far the most expensive event of all. Teams had special cars built solely for Safari and every factory crew had its own helicopter. It was also very dangerous event for everybody involved. The roads were not closed for public traffic for example and the safety of crews wasn't good either (especially of those without their own helicopter). It was nice adventure but especially in this case I don't think it's good to bring back all what was once nice. There is enough marathon events with similar nature.

[lewalcindor]

It was by far the most expensive event of all. Teams had special cars built solely for Safari and every factory crew had its own helicopter. It was also very dangerous event for everybody involved. The roads were not closed for public traffic for example and the safety of crews wasn't good either (especially of those without their own helicopter). It was nice adventure but especially in this case I don't think it's good to bring back all what was once nice. There is enough marathon events with similar nature.

Indeed, but it would still be nice to have an event that has the terrain and features that the Safari had. It would give the drivers another type of surface to master, especially if we're to believe WRC drivers are masters of all driving surfaces.

That said, it wouldn't be the equalizer event that it was in the old Group B days because all WRC events seem to wrap up in the 3-5 hour range, and modern WRC cars never seem to break down. Even the modern Safari in the ARC only takes about 3 hours to complete. Back then, the Safari took 10 hours, and the more powerful but less reliable Group B cars would all invariably break down somewhere in the middle, while the less powerful 2WD Group B or even Group 4 cars would trundle along and finish the event intact. Ari Vatanen noted that he won the 1983 Safari in his Opel Ascona because he drove slowly enough to prevent the Ascona's rear axle from breaking (he also claimed his slow approach caught the eye of Jean Todt, who was expecting Vatanen to go flat out as Vatanen usually did).

[Mirek]

On the other hand Eurosport tried to bring Safari in such reduced form back with the IRC but there was no interest from European teams to go. While there were events which managed to shine in IRC Safari was abandoned when nobody from regulars entered the second edition...

[Prisoner Monkeys]

I'm still of the belief that rallies should be considered on the basis of their individual character, as well as the desires of manufacturers.

For instance, I think the championship desperately needs another snow event (or possibly two - it doesn't always snow on the Monte). Perhaps the WRC could steal the Janner Rallye or Sibiu Rally Romania from the WRC. Or go back to Japan, but relocate to somewhere like Nagano. South Korea might be a possibility, but if the Formula 1 Grand Prix was anything to go by, they'll have a tough time getting spectators. Somewhere in Russia or the Rocky Mountains might also be a possibility.

I also think a tropical rally is needed - somewhere hot and humid. Brazil, Malaysia and India all stand out as possible locations for such an event.

I wouldn't mind going back to Jordan, either. I know it was unpopular, but it had a unique surface and hot desert conditions which brought its own challenges.

And it might be worth looking at a high-altitude rally. When Formula 1 went to Mexico City, one of the big challenges the teams faced was that the thinner air at high altitude made it tougher on turbocharged engines.

[Mirek]

And it might be worth looking at a high-altitude rally. When Formula 1 went to Mexico City, one of the big challenges the teams faced was that the thinner air at high altitude made it tougher on turbocharged engines.

Sorry but Mexico and Argentina are both in the championship for years...

Please don't create confusion - the high altitude is much worse for naturally aspirated engines than for turbocharged ones. You know that supercharging (or turbocharging) was invented in 1920' for use in aircraft engines?

[lewalcindor]

On the other hand Eurosport tried to bring Safari in such reduced form back with the IRC but there was no interest from European teams to go. While there were events which managed to shine in IRC Safari was abandoned when nobody from regulars entered the second edition...

Yeah, it is an event that you have to sort of force teams to go to because of the expensive and unpredictable nature of the Safari. If there are no championship points involved in the Safari, or if one team has been so dominant all year and feels no reason to spend any money or effort to get points at the Safari (as Lancia did in the late 80's/early 90's when Toyota was still sorting out the Celica), then they won't feel compelled to go.

[Prisoner Monkeys]

Perhaps it would be possible to bring the Safari back, but structure it as a conventional rally. No, it's not the same thing as the Safari, and maybe it shouldn't even have the Safari name, but it's better than nothing.