Why WRC isn't popular as F1?

[Barreis]

Reasons:
1.No Colin McRae for years,
2.Wrong people leading WRC,
3. No Ferrari as a leading sport's car brand..
Please make Your comments..

[N.O.T]

nice....

[jimakos]

I agree with what you wrote Barreis!
One more reason I want to add is that WRC isn't live at least in my country!
So,I can't watch live WRC!
In the opposite F1 for years now is live in tv!
What about that?

[tolis]

No more live stages in Eurosport...
No such speeds...
Here in Greece, personally, I can't watch the every day's highlights, because no greek channel has the right to broadcast them...

[jimakos]

No more live stages in Eurosport...
No such speeds...
Here in Greece, personally, I can't watch the every day's highlights, because no greek channel has the right to broadcast them...

Total agree!
Neither I can see anything live from WRC!
That's a condition has to change... :mad:

[Tomi]

Why should it be? In some countries it is more popular than in others, first of all WRC is a spectator sport, when again F1 is a tv sport.

[Barreis]

I don't like F1 (except Monaco GP and Australian GP 'cos of road circuit) but every weekend when is F1 I watch qualifing and race.. So why our sport can not be popular as F1?

[tolis]

Off course, it has to change, but I don't think so, especially in Greece...
Very few are now interested in WRC and another reason is that there is no Makinen,no Sainz, no Mc Rae, no Burns,no Gronholm,no Impreza....but only Loeb, Hirvonen...and a bit of Latvala.

[jimakos]

Off course, it has to change, but I don't think so, especially in Greece...
Very few are now interested in WRC and another reason is that there is no Makinen,no Sainz, no Mc Rae, no Burns,no Gronholm,no Impreza....but only Loeb, Hirvonen...and a bit of Latvala.

Yes mate nobody in this country interested in WRC!
And now they took Acropolis,what we have to do?
Stop interested for WRC?
I'm wondering if is so expensive to take a channel the rights of WRC and if can't show us live rallies at least some reports of this spectacular sport...

[Tomi]

i think you guys have a very short time view of WRC, why cry about drivers from the past, you should be happy when it comes new ones to replace guys that drives on old merits.

[Barreis]

I don't have anything against names.. But we must have in our minds truth that 1997/8 rally was on the same level as F1 in media and now it's low profile.. I can see it when I talk with my friends.. They don't care about rally anymore..

[jimakos]

i think you guys have a very short time view of WRC, why cry about drivers from the past, you should be happy when it comes new ones to replace guys that drives on old merits.

I'm not crying for nobody!!
I'm a fan of Mikko Hirvonen and not too old to know these old drivers!
I also want new drivers come to WRC if they worth because it's monotone looking the same and the same every year.Loeb,Loeb,Loeb...

[tolis]

We want drivers with talent in WRC, no drivers with money, driving a WRC car and finishing behind a S2000... The best is to have many good drivers fighting for the win!!! We will never stop being interested in the WRC!!!

[Tomi]

I'm not crying for nobody!!
I'm a fan of Mikko Hirvonen and not too old to know these old drivers!
I also want new drivers come to WRC if they worth because it's monotone looking the same and the same every year.Loeb,Loeb,Loeb...

I can tell you a secret, if you promise not to tell anyone, sooner or later also Loebs rally carrer will end.

[tolis]

I can tell you a secret, if you promise not to tell anyone, sooner or later also Loebs rally carrer will end.
OK, it will end and then who will take the wins? Hirvonen-Latvala, Latvala-Hirvonen...And maybe Catalunya goes to Sordo...

[Priorat]

Because to really enjoy WRC you have to wake up early, walk a lot, wait a long time, get cold, or get wet or hot or dusty...

To enjoy F1 you just have to seat on your armchair...

[jimakos]

OK, it will end and then who will take the wins? Hirvonen-Latvala, Latvala-Hirvonen...And maybe Catalunya goes to Sordo...

100% right opinion!
What after Loeb's end?
There aren't many drivers in a high level to go for the title...

[Wim_Impreza]

100% right opinion!
What after Loeb's end?
There aren't many drivers in a high level to go for the title...

Maybe Matthew Wilson has a chance to drive for the title? :p

[Doon]

Because to really enjoy WRC you have to wake up early, walk a lot, wait a long time, get cold, or get wet or hot or dusty...

To enjoy F1 you just have to seat on your armchair...

Spot on! I've always said this to none rally fans. Rallying is not very exciting on TV for most (for me it is!), but anyone who sees it live loves it.....

...the problem? The effort you have to make to see a rally. Especially now the route is more compact. In the 80's & 90's rallying was far more popular because it was more accessible. e.g in the UK everyone who wants to see the WRC (bar Ireland/N.Ireland) must travel to Wales. In the 90's the rally would passt down through many cities, towns and villages, enabelling a large population of people to travel 10/20/30 miles to see the rally, now the epicentre is Cardiff! i'm a hardened fan so, the 160miles i travel from the north of Wales is acceptable.... but for an avarage part-time fan (with the stage entry fees) its just too much hassle!

Many people say that the effort required is why rallying has never been popular in the US because the people are typically lazy, not being harsh, but in a sporting sense the average American can go to a NASCAR race and have everything to hand and relax!

I see watching a rally as an adventure, and thats how it should be sold. However, in the UK and around the world there are plenty of adventerous people that WRC would suit in terms of motorsport....Climbers, Mountainbikers, Hikers, Campers, Fell runners (lol), etc etc....but who wants to pay £20 per stage to watch? Yes, it is a World Championship and Yes, they are seeing the greatest drivers on earth, but i think the whole spectator system needs a re-think, because no matter what anyone says, the spectators are the most important part of top level rallying....they buy the cars to keep the teams running!!!

[Barreis]

4.Car brands are not interested to invest in WRC..
That means no good value for the money..

[Juha_Koo]

Rallying has always been raw. It's easier to bring those VIPs to a classy track restaurant than to transport them with buses to "crappy VIP park" set up on some muddy field.

And as said above, it takes effort to follow rally. I love planning etc. but many people don't. They just want to see action easily. F1 is also great for TV - and what's even more important: it's easy to cover. Rally again... A lot harder.

I'm not one of those who cries and whines about the current situation of WRC. I still love every rally. The pure exitement and rally fever are still there for me. The only thing I would like to change in the modern WRC is the rally template. Normally three stages in the morning and then those three again in the afternoon. Every time there is exeption to this, things get really interesting. (Finland, upcoming Australia, Norway 2007, etc.) Luckily Simon Long has said that they'll try to get rid of that template.

[JFL]

I guess its different from country to country. www.motorsport.no (http://www.motorsport.no) just had a vote for :"What championship do you wanna see on TV?" And here are the results..

EM i rallycross(ERC) (40.5%)

Formel 1 (14.2%)

MotoGP (8.8%)

Rally VM(WRC) (31.1%)

STCC (5.4%)

[Tomi]

I guess its different from country to country. www.motorsport.no (http://www.motorsport.no) just had a vote for :"What championship do you wanna see on TV?" And here are the results..

EM i rallycross(ERC) (40.5%)

Formel 1 (14.2%)

MotoGP (8.8%)

Rally VM(WRC) (31.1%)

STCC (5.4%)

not a big surprise, norway has had 1 reasonable driver in both rally and rallycross, i guess it explaines the result.

[lcd]

I think the WRC Is a wild by nature kind of motorsports , while the F1,
Is more trendy and shinny, If you know what I mean...
Maybe that's why more people are attracted there.
So I guess, It's a matter of promotion mostly, and not
a matter of quality; both of them offer high excitement!

[cosmicpanda]

F1 has far more investment and is more glamorous. Difficult to be glamorous in a muddy paddock with cars based on those used by the ordinary working class.

I think the cloverleaf idea works well in countries like Jordan where there aren't many people likely to come and see the rally, and those that do will want to go to as many stages as possible. However, it's terrible for more traditional events where more people are likely to be able to come out to the stages.

Makes me think that perhaps the superspecial idea has been pushed too far. They bring rallying to the cityfolk, and would be an ideal place to entertain VIPs if they're in a glamorous stadium, kind of thing. But having a route that spends some time in outlying towns is a better way to bring rallying to a diverse variety of spectators.

Now that the internet is so widespread, it shouldn't harm the fans at home, either.

[Tomi]

Rallying has always been raw. It's easier to bring those VIPs to a classy track restaurant than to transport them with buses to "crappy VIP park" set up on some muddy field.

And as said above, it takes effort to follow rally. I love planning etc. but many people don't. They just want to see action easily. F1 is also great for TV - and what's even more important: it's easy to cover. Rally again... A lot harder.

I'm not one of those who cries and whines about the current situation of WRC. I still love every rally. The pure exitement and rally fever are still there for me. The only thing I would like to change in the modern WRC is the rally template. Normally three stages in the morning and then those three again in the afternoon. Every time there is exeption to this, things get really interesting. (Finland, upcoming Australia, Norway 2007, etc.) Luckily Simon Long has said that they'll try to get rid of that template.

Very good post, its easy to agree on every point, rally is much more than super drivers and game consult drivers at service park, the worst vision would be if rally would be watered to become a mainstream sport that everyone likes, its very good as it is today, very little to correct.

[jimakos]

I think the WRC Is a wild by nature kind of motorsports , while the F1,
Is more trendy and shinny, If you know what I mean...
Maybe that's why more people are attracted there.
So I guess, It's a matter of promotion mostly, and not
a matter of quality; both of them offer high excitement!

Total agree with you LCD!
At least in our country we can't compare the promotion of WRC and F1... :)

[bluuford]

I think that those super specials held on the city streets are way to go. The stadium 8-ths are quite boring and are maybe ok when the service park is near to the stadium and then there might be SS before the finish Ramp for example :-) So, when you want to see rally finish then you can enjoy some driving as well.
But city sss are very nice for two reasons.

1. People who are lazy enough can go and see the cars with very little effort. And might get excited enough to go and see real stages.

2. It is good promotion for the rally when the first stage is held on the streets of major city and people on that city are informed vi various channels (information about closed roads, neighbors call you to spectate on their balcony, you can hear the sound of the car etc.).

3. Less "non-rally people" on stages. Less troubles :-)

4. More variety on the stage.

[Barreis]

No women/girls.. That's bad.. Where're women/girls there's glamour.. That's what rally needs for popularity.. To much male sweat around our sport..

[lcd]

...To much male sweat around our sport..
:D

[A.F.F.]

Everything F1 offers is media sexy. Long legs, short skirts, oversized budgets, best sponsors, yachts, Ferrari....

WRC has tried to imitate it with larger motorhomes, rally HQs has turned to more sophistigated, heck, we even have gridgirls ;) But WRC will never get the same interest as F1 and I don't think it even should.

[lcd]

... But WRC will never get the same interest as F1 and I don't think it even should.

Couldn't agree more there...

[N.O.T]

But WRC will never get the same interest as F1 and I don't think it even should.

i wouldn;t mind getting the same interest as long as that doesn;t lead in changing the nature of the sport.

[A.F.F.]

i wouldn;t mind getting the same interest as long as that doesn;t lead in changing the nature of the sport.

But it has already changed it.

We have lost the endurance factor, we have lost the night stages etc. WRC cannot afford to loose any more what made it so appealing in the first place since it just cannot compete with F1 with popularity.

[tmx]

WRCars were one of the thing introduce to make WRC more like F1, I think now we realize it's a bad thing to make WRC too elitist and to compete with F1, it can be healthy separately. Good thing they are trying to regain the rally elements.

[Barreis]

WRCars were one of the thing introduce to make WRC more like F1, I think now we realize it's a bad thing to make WRC too elitist and to compete with F1, it can be healthy separately. Good thing they are trying to regain the rally elements.

Manufacturers realised that our sport has bad value for the money invested in it. That's why they're out of business. I don't remember when I saw last time big sponsor on works Subaru squad.. Sponsors don't see it ineresting and they're analysing market all the time.. Same as manufacturers..

[N.O.T]

But it has already changed it.

We have lost the endurance factor, we have lost the night stages etc. WRC cannot afford to loose any more what made it so appealing in the first place since it just cannot compete with F1 with popularity.

to be honest i don;t care much about the endurance factor ...it would be nice to have an endurance event like safari but i prefer the rallies to be as fast as possible. Night stages are not completely lost.

Rallying is not a tv sport and thats why you can never expect it to be as popular as a tv sport. TV is big money nowadays. Thats the only reason and not because we don;t have Mcrae, celebrity kids, red ballons and spacemen.

[BDunnell]

But it has already changed it.

We have lost the endurance factor, we have lost the night stages etc. WRC cannot afford to loose any more what made it so appealing in the first place since it just cannot compete with F1 with popularity.

Exactly. The WRC should cut its cloth accordingly and stop attempting to turn itself into something it isn't. I couldn't give a toss about the championship as it is now — nor, to be honest, the IRC — and this is a big part of it. The lack of strong national championships is also, surely, a major contributory factor.

[Barreis]

Italy has great championship with paid drivers.. :) Also MC rally and San Remo rally are removed from the calendar.. Manufacturers want show and that's why they are out of this and some B teams (with some reach guys (with talent)) are in.. All the money (until this season) went to pocket of Mr Wilson (and Mr Richards).. Mr Quesnell learnt very well: GIVEEEEE MEEEE ALLLLL YOUUUU GOTTTTT!!!!

[AndyRAC]

WRC was doing relatively okay until the mid -90's. Then people got involved who thought they could make it 'sexy' 'popular' , etc That meant Live TV and everything that goes with it. Selling the sport's soul to the 'devil', i;e TV. Ultra-compact routes, no night stages, etc For a few years it looked okay, up to 7 Manufacturers with up to 4 factory cars each, but one by one they all left, and nothing was done.
Reality needs to be faced, this isn't F1, never has been, never will be. Just accept it's a 'niche' sport that occasionally becomes popular - I mean take our own RallyGB - it used to go nationwide, and Joe Public could follow it, good TV/Radio/Papers coverage. So what happens, they move it to a 'corner' of Wales - that's really clever - limiting the amount of exposure.
Just be grateful that sponsors like Red Bull, Stobart, Abu Dhabi are in the WRC - they're obviously fans of the sport - because otherwise they would go to another more popular media friendly sport.

[macksrallye]

It's not spectaular anymore. F1 is fast, really fast, & thats what has always been the thing that brought in the spectators for them. Rally used to be about extremeties, all surfaces, all times of day, all types of cars & drivers trying their best to finish stages as quick as possible. Now its basically a sprint race with no real "spectacle".

It is a niche sport so the organisers need to find a way to give the supporters they have the coverage they want. Something that was tried at Rally South Australia recently was internet coverage. Basically what they did was go out and about the stages during the day interviewing competitors & taking footage to show in a review of the day followed by coverage of the live super special stage that night or the podium celebrations at the end of the event. I think this has some merit.

[Saabaru]

Group B or maybe an A B mixhttp://pspinsidetheconcept.blog.playersrepublic.fr/images/medium_ford_extreme.jpg

[ShiftingGears]

There isn't spectacle. It's run by idiots.

[pino]

There isn't spectacle. It's run by idiots.

There isn't spectacle = wrong !
It's run by idiots : right !

;)

[Barreis]

WRC was doing relatively okay until the mid -90's. Then people got involved who thought they could make it 'sexy' 'popular' , etc That meant Live TV and everything that goes with it. Selling the sport's soul to the 'devil', i;e TV. Ultra-compact routes, no night stages, etc For a few years it looked okay, up to 7 Manufacturers with up to 4 factory cars each, but one by one they all left, and nothing was done.
Reality needs to be faced, this isn't F1, never has been, never will be. Just accept it's a 'niche' sport that occasionally becomes popular - I mean take our own RallyGB - it used to go nationwide, and Joe Public could follow it, good TV/Radio/Papers coverage. So what happens, they move it to a 'corner' of Wales - that's really clever - limiting the amount of exposure.
Just be grateful that sponsors like Red Bull, Stobart, Abu Dhabi are in the WRC - they're obviously fans of the sport - because otherwise they would go to another more popular media friendly sport.

But then drivers were paid (very good).. Now only two/three drivers are paid in WRC.. Don't forget C.McRae rally game when everybody started to think more and being attracted by our sport.. That moment when FIA declared 2 drivers/team (not 3 by then) gave guys like Mr Wilson or Mr Richards a chance to exploit priveteers. In mid 90's ford escort group A costed 300 000 DM (that was about 150 000 euros; now focus WRC costs 500 000 GBP+VAT and that's about 750 000 euros).. Then Mr David Whitehead from MSD came and told on TV: transmission and electronic diffs for Hyundai Accent WRC costs 250 000 GBP.. Man, sequential gearbox came from the motorbike and how much does it cost there?! Just to put more money in their pocket.. Few monts after that Hyundai quit and what does MSD work now?! Same as Prodrive but 'cos of economical crises.. Back to basics: Ken Block made for WRC this year in public more than our drivers all over the world..

[Tomi]

I don't like F1 (except Monaco GP and Australian GP 'cos of road circuit) but every weekend when is F1 I watch qualifing and race.. So why our sport can not be popular as F1?

Times changes, 1986 in Hungary one had to go to the embassy in Budapest to get the F1 results.

[CABAIO E'LONA]

I Think tahat... the WRC is more popular than F1, F1 is more selective,

in Argentina about a million people attended the rally ...

[koko0703]

1. No iconic team like Ferrari.... For those people who have never seen rallying Ford doesn't just sounds as attractive as Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, etc.
2. No iconic event like Monaco GP.... I honestly think Finland is awsome but can general public tell the difference between Finland and other gravel rally? I don't think so. IMO only Safari can be as iconic as Monaco GP but it's gone.
3. Public exposure... Formula One promotes the brand itself but WRC is more targeted for a particular model in relative sense. Of course WRC will generate brand image but not as much as F1 does. You probably don't see Focus WRC in the ad for Mustang.
4. Biggest of all, less TV coverage.

[Francis44]

Because rally drivers dont date pop singers like Lewis Hamilton :rolleyes: !!!!

[sal]

Bernie and Max. Add to that David Richards, Simon Long and Mr Chandler and I think you have most of the reasons...

[Barreis]

I Think tahat... the WRC is more popular than F1, F1 is more selective,

in Argentina about a million people attended the rally ...

:)

[ShiftingGears]

There isn't spectacle = wrong !

Compared to Group A or B, there isn't.

[jimakos]

Because rally drivers dont date pop singers like Lewis Hamilton :rolleyes: !!!!


:rotflmao:

[Motorsportfun]

Because rally drivers dont date pop singers like Lewis Hamilton :rolleyes: !!!!

right, hell right! :D

anyway... here you see my tv-plan below.

LIVE broadcasting on Thursday's SHAKEDOWN, which will be "competitive" to decide the Starting List for the SS. It will be used like a qualifying session...

LIVE broadcasting of a SS during Leg 1 and Leg 2 (maybe Leg 3 if on Saturday).

LIVE broadcasting of the LATEST SS, possibly no longer than 15 km, 1 hour before the start-time of F.1!

HOW they have to be broadcasted:

> with animated graphics (like in the USA did, or like the G-Force in F1, but NOT the 2D maps and GPS... itz OOOOLD! (wake up Bernie... it's 3D time...))

> with Native HD cameras, on stage, from helicopter and on-board too. Or, at least, the maximum SD (like BrawnGP new cameras introduced from Valencia... good images to be upscale to half-HD).

Look at what did ATP (like BBC in Britain or YLE in Finland):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZx6GN65fNU

Easy and NOT INVASIVE graphic (so more view for spectators), spectacular cameras (they used also Jimmy-Jib LIVE!).

Imagine it with on-board, in 16:9 aspect ratio and with cool graphics about telemetry (WRC has a sponsor called "Magneti Marelli"............why dont they collaborate with them?!?!?)... AWESOME! :) :) :)

[jimakos]

Excellent thoughts mate!!
Only with something strong WRC will rise again...

[Barreis]

Just to copy/paste what Eurosport is doing with IRC..

[seb_sh]

right, hell right! :D

anyway... here you see my tv-plan below.

LIVE broadcasting on Thursday's SHAKEDOWN, which will be "competitive" to decide the Starting List for the SS. It will be used like a qualifying session...

LIVE broadcasting of a SS during Leg 1 and Leg 2 (maybe Leg 3 if on Saturday).

LIVE broadcasting of the LATEST SS, possibly no longer than 15 km, 1 hour before the start-time of F.1!

HOW they have to be broadcasted:

> with animated graphics (like in the USA did, or like the G-Force in F1, but NOT the 2D maps and GPS... itz OOOOLD! (wake up Bernie... it's 3D time...))

> with Native HD cameras, on stage, from helicopter and on-board too. Or, at least, the maximum SD (like BrawnGP new cameras introduced from Valencia... good images to be upscale to half-HD).

Look at what did ATP (like BBC in Britain or YLE in Finland):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZx6GN65fNU

Easy and NOT INVASIVE graphic (so more view for spectators), spectacular cameras (they used also Jimmy-Jib LIVE!).

Imagine it with on-board, in 16:9 aspect ratio and with cool graphics about telemetry (WRC has a sponsor called "Magneti Marelli"............why dont they collaborate with them?!?!?)... AWESOME! :) :) :)

That sounds good, it's similar to my own ideas how WRC could be promoted for live TV without altering the sport like they tried in the past few years. That and 3 car teams, more manufacturer, cheaper cars, more privateers and WRC would be awesome.

The live stages broadcast by Eurosport from IRC were good but could have been better, esp if they used more roadside cameras and showed the cars more instead of the drivers being interviewed (keep the interview sound but show the cars on stage).

[Barreis]

They don't do the live stages 'cos nobody buys that program and all that 'cos TV sponsors are not interested for this kind of sport.. No big name for public that will atract crowds like C.McRae (Makkinen was 4 times world champ but the tractor driver was never popular as C.McRae).. It's easier for Eurosport cos' they don't sell it to the other TV's and sponsors know that at least few million people will watch anything they make.. WRC can only show some kind of live show on an official web page wrc.com..

[Anderton]

Wasn't there a new contract signed at the beginning of this season for a new broadcaster? I remember hearing something about a new broadcaster trying to bring more tv channels to show rallying, and just try to make it a more attractive sport.
At the end of the day it's all down to tv coverage.

[Barreis]

I agree..

[Motorsportfun]

Just to copy/paste what Eurosport is doing with IRC..

Eurosport NEVER used Jimmy-Jib cameras, Eurosport NEVER used good graphics (for the timing I'd really like to see the actuals one, as they have tenths of second and are more serious and less "rough"!)

:D

[Motorsportfun]

Wasn't there a new contract signed at the beginning of this season for a new broadcaster? I remember hearing something about a new broadcaster trying to bring more tv channels to show rallying, and just try to make it a more attractive sport.
At the end of the day it's all down to tv coverage.

In the contract were written that they will rise the sport.

Up till now they did:

long-term contract with Finland (and they are working for more with some organizers... think to Poland Cyprus - dont remember that they did a ceremonial start with a Eurovision singer, mixed surface, etc, -, Acropolis, etc.), in order to have a stability on the calendar.

get the show nearer than in the past for spectators. I'm thinking to the Acropolis "test" of the Service Park, with cars coming from back to the service in front of spectators. Just 1 mt away!!!

and they signed a big contract with DISCOVERY HD in the USA! Itz a big strike, I think! :D

[Barreis]

Don't be frustrated.. We're just debatin'.. Discovery chanell is the only good thing in past few yers that WRC did good..

[DexDexter]

Reasons:
1.No Colin McRae for years,
2.Wrong people leading WRC,
3. No Ferrari as a leading sport's car brand..
Please make Your comments..

1. Cars don't race each other
2.Doesn't fit TV at all.
3.FIA

[sal]

SL reckoning that 4 manufacturers is enogh for the WRC as thats all that can be televised wont help. Can't remember Bernie and Max lobbying car makers not to compete in F1.

[Barreis]

Unbelievable..

[anthonyvop]

1. Cars don't race each other
2.Doesn't fit TV at all.
3.FIA
I agree with the first 2 but your #3 doesn't explain why other series like the IRC and Rally America aren't popular.

[jimakos]

I agree with the first 2 but your #3 doesn't explain why other series like the IRC and Rally America aren't popular.

Correct.
Wrc isn't popular because of FIA.
Something else makes it less popular than F1...

[BDunnell]

1. No iconic team like Ferrari.... For those people who have never seen rallying Ford doesn't just sounds as attractive as Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, etc.
2. No iconic event like Monaco GP.... I honestly think Finland is awsome but can general public tell the difference between Finland and other gravel rally? I don't think so. IMO only Safari can be as iconic as Monaco GP but it's gone.
3. Public exposure... Formula One promotes the brand itself but WRC is more targeted for a particular model in relative sense. Of course WRC will generate brand image but not as much as F1 does. You probably don't see Focus WRC in the ad for Mustang.
4. Biggest of all, less TV coverage.

But those are the problems that have always existed in relation to the WRC. Others have added to them over recent years.

[BDunnell]

I agree with the first 2 but your #3 doesn't explain why other series like the IRC and Rally America aren't popular.

The basic problem with those, surely is 'people don't care'. This is in part because as rallying has declined, the popularity of other motorsports, led by F1 in the UK and the rest of Europe, has gone up. Public interest is directed towards them instead.

[Barreis]

I'm just watchin' Top Gear show and it's show and that's why it's popular.. Nowadays no show in our sport..

[jonkka]

Define "show"

[BDunnell]

I'm just watchin' Top Gear show and it's show and that's why it's popular.. Nowadays no show in our sport..

I don't think there is any comparison to be made here, frankly. What can the WRC learn from a less-than-serious TV show? The last thing the WRC needs is to be made more gimmicky.

[Barreis]

Define "show"

Something ultra popular that attracts people..

[Tomi]

I'm just watchin' Top Gear show and it's show and that's why it's popular.. Nowadays no show in our sport..

btw, have u ever been to a rally?

[jonkka]

Something ultra popular that attracts people..

Ah - then it's simple, free beer and full frontal nudity.

[Barreis]

btw, have u ever been to a rally?

Drove also.. Maybe some people doesn't want that our sport be healthy and extremlly popular..

[Langdale Forest]

There are not enought manufacturesin the WRC!

Lots of drivers but no drives.

[Josti]

Something ultra popular that attracts people..

I don´t know where you´ve been in the last couple of years, but the WRC management tried something which they thought would make it "ultra populair", but to no surprise it didn't work, because rallying is not something you can drastically change in to a 'media sexy' sport (to put it in AFF's words) like F1. Hell, not even on the long run... luckily.

[Barreis]

That's why it's no manufacturers and this two are exploiting rich sons to the maximum.. GIVEEEE MEEE ALLL YOUUU GOTTTT!!! Manufacturers also want sponsorships and sponsors are not interested that much if You're not the winner.. P.Solberg was the winner but without winns Mr Holywood stood beside..

[Barreis]

Just saw Misano Motor GP qualifing on DSF with lot's of beautiful girls, etc. Life is imidietlly nicer and picture on TV (S. bravia) is better.. That's TV show! :)

[BDunnell]

Just saw Misano Motor GP qualifing on DSF with lot's of beautiful girls, etc. Life is imidietlly nicer and picture on TV (S. bravia) is better.. That's TV show! :)

I think that sort of thing is always deeply naff and contrived. It belongs in the past — a tacky version of 'glamour'.

[Sulland]

I agree with Max saying that the internet have done and will do more for WRC, so lets see what the plans for ISC is for 2010.

But IRC and Eurosport have shown tha live coverage on rally also can be very exiting, so lets see if WRC will learn, and further develop live coverage.

[Barreis]

What Eurosport show is the only future of WRC sport.. It's shame that Eurosport doesn't have rights to promote WRC..

[Tom206wrc]

Well, IF Michael Schumacher is back in F1 in 2010 like strongest latest rumours stated it, I predict a very hard and one of the poorest mediatization for WRC ever, especially when FIA scheduled 9 events of F1 the same week-end of rally !!!! :mad: :mad: ;(

[AndyRAC]

Well, IF Michael Schumacher is back in F1 in 2010 like strongest latest rumours stated it, I predict a very hard and one of the poorest mediatization for WRC ever, especially when FIA scheduled 9 events of F1 the same week-end of rally !!!! :mad: :mad: ;(

A particularly ridiculous situation. How on earth is that helping an already struggling series?

[Helstar]

9 events in the same weekends ?! OMG ! *facepalm*

[WRCfan]

So the poor old WRC get to play second fiddle to the F1 as far as TV highlights go...great.

Now its not going to be 11pm on TV but more like 1am....crap....

[racer69]

Perhaps an idea could be to let the rallies select what days they want to run on (rather than mandate they finish on a Sunday)? Can't be any worse than clashing with 9 of the F1 rounds can it?

For instance Rally Australia used to start on Saturday and finish on Tuesday

[AndyRAC]

Perhaps an idea could be to let the rallies select what days they want to run on (rather than mandate they finish on a Sunday)? Can't be any worse than clashing with 9 of the F1 rounds can it?

For instance Rally Australia used to start on Saturday and finish on Tuesday

A lot of rounds used to run mid week, but following the wish to standardise, and follow F1, it became Fri-Sun.

[ShiftingGears]

I think that sort of thing is always deeply naff and contrived. It belongs in the past — a tacky version of 'glamour'.

Absolutely.

[Motorsportfun]

9 events in the same weekends ?! OMG ! *facepalm*

I said, and repeated, that Ari Vatanen was quite better for FIA presidency. But they voted for the Frenchman... :dozey:

[jonkka]

Perhaps an idea could be to let the rallies select what days they want to run on (rather than mandate they finish on a Sunday)? Can't be any worse than clashing with 9 of the F1 rounds can it?

Well, from my humble personal point of view that would be much worse. If WRC event co-incides with F1 event on same weekend, it doesn't bother me a bit because I couldn't care less about the roundabout-racing.

And on other hand, I still need to appear at work during office hours between Monday and Friday so it would make following WRC event that much more difficult if it would take place during that period. It's terrible enough to try discreetly follow Friday's action while pretending to work.

So, yes, it would be much worse for me if WRC events would move away from weekends.