WRC, start calendar 2010 in the winter!

[Brother John]

ICS want to move the wrc calendar to the winter, After Ford now also Citroen signaled green light for the idea of a calendar conversion.
„In August 2010 we should start a new start in the winter season" say ISC boss Simon Long.
With the common meeting this week in Paris, this took never place before in this form, is valid it likewise to clarify whether there is a trunk WM in case of a conversion in the first half year 2010, or no WM-runs until August take place?

http://www.rallye-magazin.de/r/wm/d/n/d/2009/02/17/wrc-ab-in-den-winter/index.html

[MJW]

I remain unconvinced about the winter calendar improving things, afterall its not too long ago (2005) that DR and ISC wanted WRGB moved to september as "rally cars didnt look good covered in mud and shrouded in fog on tv" now they say "rallying works best in mud and wet". Frankly I dont care when the rallies run, but having a winter start in August 2010 would be good if it allows the newer cheaper wrc / s2000 or S2t to start rather than drag this out to 2011. There are many good drivers waiting for factory drives to come along from WRC & IRC( Petter, PG, Atko, Meeke etc) Anything to get away from the rich kids rallying we now have is a positive step.

[bluuford]

Its great idea.. that gives manufacturers more than one year to prepare according to the new rules. Now they need to finalize those rules very quickly.
Looking the current economical situation, I think that it is good idea to note make any kind of season at the beginning of 2010. That helps the current manufacturers to focus on developing new cars and others to collect sponsor money and ISC to generate great media ideas.

[J4MIE]

Ok, but I don't like the idea of a 6-7 event "season" in first part of 2010 which will result.

[Brother John]

Maybe Season 2010 starts in Finland?!? :D

[J4MIE]

Maybe Season 2010 starts in Finland?!? :D

I guess it would be 2010/11, with 2010 being Jan-June.

[Viking]

I guess it will be 6-7 event 2010 season with wrc cars and then 2010/2011 (2011) season with S2000(+) cars.

[pino]

I say let's do what is needed in order to enlive the WRC because right now is amost dead :( WRC needs more Cars, more Drivers, more Events, more Everything ! :D

[AndyRAC]

No thanks, another gimmick. I've never quite understood the thinking. In the winter months there is supposedley less competition, so people will watch the WRC on TV. Wrong - people don't watch because it's rubbish!! Why not leave it Jan - Nov/Dec.

[sal]

So the idea of GP one weekend and rally the next on mainstream tv has bitten the dust and the WRC is packed off to the winter months when it cant detract from the Golden Goose that is F1. Have to agree with previous comments thats it's a gimmick and one that is bound to fail.

The rot runs much deeper than this. Repeated stages,central servicing with drivers dissapearing into the corporate motor homes and been sheilded from the fans by countless PR people. Erosion of the sports legacy by constant meddling and hapless rule changes the list goes on...

[Lousada]

The wrc already has most of it's top rallies in the 'winter' months, they'd only change the start and end points of the championship.

[driveace]

I agree with all your comments SAL ,rallying is boring because the followers cant get near their "superstars",and its all repeat stages.Bring back the old 3 day 2 night rallies of yesteryear,They are sprint events now !

[Viking]

The wrc already has most of it's top rallies in the 'winter' months, they'd only change the start and end points of the championship.

+1
I have no problem with it, Finland as season kick off would be ok :up:

[bluuford]

I agree with all your comments SAL ,rallying is boring because the followers cant get near their "superstars",and its all repeat stages.Bring back the old 3 day 2 night rallies of yesteryear,They are sprint events now !

I think that Cyprus has done something special for rally. Mixed surface, some long and demanding stages and only one stage repeated on gravel (all tarmac stages are repeated). I am really looking forward to this event.

[grugsticles]

I think that Cyprus has done something special for rally. Mixed surface, some long and demanding stages and only one stage repeated on gravel (all tarmac stages are repeated). I am really looking forward to this event.
Depending on how many tarmac stages vs gravel stages there are Id proably put my money on Hirvonen's 1st pass stage speed vs Loab's to win.
That is assuming that Loab doesnt just blitz everyone by 1minute or more on the tarmac.

As for the change in season start, hmm im not convincedtheres any real reason to do it. The more I think about it the more reasons I can think of for being against it. Having said that, Im not really all that fussed about the season results anyway as we all know whos going to win.

[bluuford]

well.. if loeb takes one minute advantage after first day and he wants to win, then he has to be first on the road all the time.. only one small stage is repeated. And remember.. they are using gravel setup and tires on tarmac. that is very spectacular! At leas Dani was.. while testing

[Sulland]

More winter rallies is ok by me, but it might turn into specialist drivers on bothe calendars. And that has as with everything else positives and negatives !

[modri dirkac]

The best thing will be more rallies in winter time (different surfaces), not more winter rallies! :rolleyes: