FIA rally commission proposed changes

[AndyRAC]

Maybe this 'Back to the Future' will mean some Rallies returning to mid week?
Though I doubt it, it may cut down on spectator numbers, i;e San Remo.

[Daniel]

point 1 is retarded

point 2-3 are good....but they will raise the costs

2 out of 3 proposals made by the FIA are good...i am impressed

Agreed.

[Langdale Forest]

Having longer and mixed surface events would be good.

[jonkka]

Maybe this 'Back to the Future' will mean some Rallies returning to mid week?

Hopefully not, it's difficult enough to get 16 Fridays off to concentrate on rallying, let alone more.

[COD]

Maybe this 'Back to the Future' will mean some Rallies returning to mid week?
Though I doubt it, it may cut down on spectator numbers, i;e San Remo.

In some rallies, where too many spectators are a problem, it would be good.

But it is bad for TV, so probably not

[Livewireshock]

Of more concern for me is the rotational system. How will it work & which events?

It looks like Rally Australia for 2008 is already a casualty, finding financial backers willing to accept a rally every second year would have been impossible.

[Roy]

FIA rally commission has proposed few changes to the WRC rules:

• Leader of the event will be first on the road except on first day when leader of the championship will be first on the road[/*:m:1hk98zjj]
• max stage mileage raised to 400km instead of current 360km[/*:m:1hk98zjj]
• 2009 onwards mixed surface events allowed[/*:m:1hk98zjj]

These among several other proposed changes.

About cars current WRC in use till end of 2009, 2010 still possible to use "old" WRC but with reduced power, changed aerodynamics and more weight to ensure the competitiveness of new WRC, 2011 onwards only with new WRC.

All this subject of approval of FIA in their meeting next week.

Decisions where make:

A number of regulation changes will be incorporated into the 2008 and 2009 World Rally Championships.

From 1 January 2008:
- To provide for more equal competition, the running order for each Day will be based on the event classification.
- To aid public understanding, the term “Leg” will be replaced by “Day”.
- The regulations will provide for a 10 minute final service prior to the finish podium. It is intended to create the opportunity for the Service Park to be an attraction until the finish of the event.

From 1 January 2009:
- To increase the challenge of the events and to increase media opportunities, events will be allowed to run mixed surfaces, on the condition that a surface will be used on two consecutive days.
- To create more flexibility, the total length of the special stages will be increased from 360km to 400km.

http://www.fia.com/mediacentre/Press...241007-01.html

2008 FIA World Rally Championship
24 - 27/1 MC 76e Rallye Automobile Monte-Carlo
8 - 1/2 S Uddeholm Swedish Rally
28/2 - 2/3 MEX Rally Mexico
27 - 3/3 RA Rally Argentina
24 - 27/4 HKJ Jordan Rally WRC
16 - 18/5 I Rallye d'Italia-Sardegna
29/5 - 1/6 GR BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally
13 - 15/6 TR Rally of Turkey
31/7 - 3/8 FIN Neste Oil Rally Finland
15 - 17/8 D ADAC Rallye Deutschland
28 - 31/8 NZ Rally of New Zealand
2 - 5/10 E Rallye de España
10 - 12/10 F Rallye de France Tour de Corse
24 - 26/10 J Rally Japan
28 - 30/11 GB Wales Rally GB

2008 FIA Production Car World Rally Championship
8 - 10/2 S Uddeholm Swedish Rally
27 - 30/3 RA Rally Argentina
29/5 - 1/6 GR BP Ultimate Acropolis Rally
28 - 31/8 NZ Rally of New Zealand
19 - 21/9 AUS Rally Australia
24 - 26/10 J Rally Japan
28 - 30/11 GB Wales Rally GB

2008 FIA Junior Rally Championship
24 - 27/4 HKJ Jordan Rally WRC
16 - 18/5 I Rallye d'Italia-Sardegna
13 - 15/6 TR Rally of Turkey
31/7 - 3/8 FIN Neste Oil Rally Finland
15 - 17/8 D ADAC Rallye Deutschland
2 - 5/10 E Rally de España

[koko0703]

1. Maybe not the best idea but I can live with it. About Friday, the championship leader should be the first on the road since it doesn't seem to be that big of a deal when you see likes of Macus or Loeb.

2. With 12 events calender, the longer competitive distance is always welcome. Rallying needs some emphasis on endurance part since it is heading toward becoming a short sprint.

3. If manufacturers and teams are O.K., I personally welcome the idea.

[Livewireshock]

Decisions where make:

A number of regulation changes will be incorporated into the 2008 and 2009 World Rally Championships.

From 1 January 2008:
- To provide for more equal competition, the running order for each Day will be based on the event classification.
- To aid public understanding, the term “Leg” will be replaced by “Day”.
- The regulations will provide for a 10 minute final service prior to the finish podium. It is intended to create the opportunity for the Service Park to be an attraction until the finish of the event.

From 1 January 2009:
- To increase the challenge of the events and to increase media opportunities, events will be allowed to run mixed surfaces, on the condition that a surface will be used on two consecutive days.
- To create more flexibility, the total length of the special stages will be increased from 360km to 400km.

So will this mean that a Thursday night superspecial, as what commonly occurs, be counted as "Day 1", separate to Friday's stages? Or will the two day's stages be counted as a "Day 1" (hmmm, much easier for the public to fathom NOT).

That would mean that the Championship leader could only be sweeping the stage at the head of the field for possibly a single stage on some rallies. Come Friday morning, the Super Special winner then gets to sweep the stages.

Ergo: Expect odd results & performances for any such super specials next year.

[Daniel]

Day 1 has always been the first proper day of competition. IE the Friday.