[WRC] Rally Portugal 2023

[PLuto]

Just a technical note for those born in the previous millennium:
Nobody needs TV channels as platform for showing or watching free broadcasts.

Maybe you will be surprised, but it is not completely true...

[JAM]

During the weekend there were a lot of talks about the lack of show of WRC and the lack of visibility of the WRC, more than any other event.
The driver that gives show on a super-special and that receives the loudest aplause from the 10.000 fans present in the circuit receives a time penalty for that and loses the rally because of the penalty.
Were you questioning why the WRC is going down? There is one of the answers.

The ones that say that the Solberg manouver was dangerous, are obvious talking about something that they have no ideia what it is.

10.000 spectatores said "Thank you Oliver", and 3 stewards said "you're wrong and we will give you one minute penalty".

This is... i prefer no write it.

[djip]

Everyone thought when we went from Group B to Group A it would be the end of rallying, and guess what….it was fantastic. If everyone is in WRC2 cars, they won’t seem slow because you won’t be comparing them to anything faster..it’s not complicated.
It’s pointless having amazing cars if there are only 8 of them and half of them don’t finish.

Spot-on. Everyone remembers the wonderful GrB cars, but look at the results : It is often 4-5 Gr.B cars and then GrpA cars 1/2h if not more in arrears ... Sound familiar ? Neuville had to cruise on sunday yet salvaged his 5th place finish by miles, so far were the WRC2 cars behind.

A full WRC2 championship would result in 20+ cars at the forefront, same as the 90's GpA "golden age". Of course manu teams would always be atop, with better drivers and better prep, but there would'nt be an ocean between the 10 manu cars and the rest of the field. Every error would be paid cash - you're out of the top 10. Not to mention that once in a while some youngster/privateer could work some heroics ...(e.g .Gianfranco Cunico-like)

I would myself be way more interested. Been also a massive rally fan since the early 70s , yet I struggle to keep my attention these days with the short events and results decided by mid-saturday ...

[Jarek Z]

10.000 spectatores said "Thank you Oliver", and 3 stewards said "you're wrong and we will give you one minute penalty".

Who, when and why banned donuts? Does anybody remember?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD0bee9Tl0Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVfIASueE1g

[ictus]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ElzFGkBlY7Q
Didnt't Ogier recive a financial penalty for that last year?

[doubled1978]

Spot-on. Everyone remembers the wonderful GrB cars, but look at the results : It is often 4-5 Gr.B cars and then GrpA cars 1/2h if not more in arrears ... Sound familiar ? Neuville had to cruise on sunday yet salvaged his 5th place finish by miles, so far were the WRC2 cars behind.

A full WRC2 championship would result in 20+ cars at the forefront, same as the 90's GpA "golden age". Of course manu teams would always be atop, with better drivers and better prep, but there would'nt be an ocean between the 10 manu cars and the rest of the field. Every error would be paid cash - you're out of the top 10. Not to mention that once in a while some youngster/privateer could work some heroics ...(e.g .Gianfranco Cunico-like)

I would myself be way more interested. Been also a massive rally fan since the early 70s , yet I struggle to keep my attention these days with the short events and results decided by mid-saturday ...

Exactly, you see it. That’s a championship I would much rather watch.
You’re right that the manufacture teams would win mostly but there is always the opportunity for a well driven privateer to do something special.
From the manufacture side there is a business case as are all set up for customer activities already and they just run much cheaper cars as a factory effort. The financial barrier to entry is much lower for new manufactures looking to come in. There could of course be a championship within for privateers that would essentially be what WRC2 is today, but using the same cars as the factory teams so special results possible.
Lack of Hybrid might be a negative for factories, but this message is not coming across at all in WRC, I think they would be better off shouting about the carbon neutral fuels that might keep performance IC engine cars on sale in the future.
I hope that the people in charge see sense and look at something along these lines as I fear that WRC is set for a very lean period if not.

[JAM]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ElzFGkBlY7Q
Didnt't Ogier recive a financial penalty for that last year?

Yes he did.

But FIA changed the rules this year, now organizers must include on the suplementary regulations this:

"Exhibition driving ("doughnuts“) is strictly forbidden everywhere due to lack of suitable place. All
infringements will be penalised with a minimum of a 5-minute time penalty, applied by the Stewards"

This year this sentence is in all the suplementary regulations, except Monte Carlo (released before the FIA Council) and Safari (Dont know why but i guess...)

[J4MIE]

Yes he did.

But FIA changed the rules this year, now organizers must include on the suplementary regulations this:

"Exhibition driving ("doughnuts“) is strictly forbidden everywhere due to lack of suitable place. All
infringements will be penalised with a minimum of a 5-minute time penalty, applied by the Stewards"

This year this sentence is in all the suplementary regulations, except Monte Carlo (released before the FIA Council) and Safari (Dont know why but i guess...)

You’re not seriously suggesting that the Safari organisers don’t know what they’re doing?
/sarcasm

[J4MIE]

During the weekend there were a lot of talks about the lack of show of WRC and the lack of visibility of the WRC, more than any other event.
The driver that gives show on a super-special and that receives the loudest aplause from the 10.000 fans present in the circuit receives a time penalty for that and loses the rally because of the penalty.
Were you questioning why the WRC is going down? There is one of the answers.

The ones that say that the Solberg manouver was dangerous, are obvious talking about something that they have no ideia what it is.

10.000 spectatores said "Thank you Oliver", and 3 stewards said "you're wrong and we will give you one minute penalty".

This is... i prefer no write it.

So why do you think the rule was introduced?

And why do you think they chose not to give him a 5 minute penalty?

Do you just watch WRC to see donuts on super specials?

[JAM]

You’re not seriously suggesting that the Safari organisers don’t know what they’re doing?
/sarcasm

No, i'm suggesting that they don't want to avoid some sliding on the roundabouts as they had in 2021 and 2022. Kenyans loved it.