Dave Richards - Antichrist or something else?

[Daniel]

Now I know the name Dave Richards isn't held in particularly high regard on this forum and I can't for the life of me think why?

I was at Prodrive yesterday and I was compelled to ask him a question.

I asked him what (if anything) he'd change about the WRC to make it better for him and for everyone else and quite bluntly he said "I'd get complete commercial control over the WRC from the FIA"

Right now I suspect 95% of the people reading this point are probably pretty darn unhappy to hear that. I don't know why though. People seem to think that Dave Richards is all about cutting costs and getting rid of splits and rally radio and so on to make himself more money. Well here's a surprise for all of you people who don't know. Dave Richards owns the ISC, the ISC is a business, the ISC is not a charity and they don't owe any of us anything. Therefore if their business is not as profitable they have no alternative but to cut costs for things which are not essential to the business. The WRC managed for ages without splits and crappy music inbetween hearning hour old news about the rally and that's why these things have been cut.

Now on the other hand if the WRC was going along well and it was as exciting as it was earlier this decade when you had Peugeot, Ford, Subaru and Mitsubishi who each went into just about every rally being a possible victor then different TV companies would be fighting each other over the rights and the ISC could have no problems turning over a huge profit and could afford to spend money on things like splits and WRR.

So is it not reasonable to assume that what is good for the ISC is good for the fans and the way things are going (although not as bad as everyone seems to think) isn't as good as it could be for us and for Mr Richards.

I personally think that if Dave Richards had more control over the WRC then we'd see something we were more happy with and we'd see something that more manufacturers would be wanting to invest in.

Thoughts? :p

Edit - Make that WELL reasoned thoughts. Not just mindless twaddle please :)

[noel157]

ISC and WRC radio etc and Richard's ownership has been discussed many times here so no surprises there.
If he had commercial control of the WRC? Hasn't he already got some degree of commercial control? A year or 2 back when he bought ISC wasn't there a load of PR stuff about how he wanted to bring WRC exposure to Joe Public? ITV and Robbie Head etc? Soon as there was an absence of a british driver ITV dumped it over to one of their obscure satellite channels and it all died a death. Even Eurosport had problems getting broadcasting rights.

It's a bit simplistic and, to some extent, of little worth of Richards (or you) saying that he would improve the WRC if he had more control. Really depends what he would do. Any clues?

[bowler]

World Rally radio is not owned by David Richards, and is not part of ISC

[Daniel]

I thought he did provide some funding though. Could be wrong :)

[bowler]

I thought he did provide some funding though. Could be wrong :)

yes, you could be wrong

[Daniel]

I'm most probably wrong :mark: But anyhoo :p

[AndyRAC]

Difficult one this, at first when he took over the rights of ISC, I had high hopes. He was talking a good game; using technology to provide coverage of this fantastic sport, even hinting that you could take part in a WRC event from the comfort of your home via the WRC game online. Personally I think he got carried away in trying to make it too much like F1; i;e everything shiny and professional, an event every 2 weeks, service park like the F1 paddock, every event the same format. All these sound great, but this is rallying, it's meant to be slightly muddy and frayed at the edges. Just look at the WRC now, a pale imitation of itself, central servicing, 9-5 hours, boring format - same stages used. I'd now have to say I'm no longer the biggest DR fan.

[Daniel]

Difficult one this, at first when he took over the rights of ISC, I had high hopes. He was talking a good game; using technology to provide coverage of this fantastic sport, even hinting that you could take part in a WRC event from the comfort of your home via the WRC game online. Personally I think he got carried away in trying to make it too much like F1; i;e everything shiny and professional, an event every 2 weeks, service park like the F1 paddock, every event the same format. All these sound great, but this is rallying, it's meant to be slightly muddy and frayed at the edges. Just look at the WRC now, a pale imitation of itself, central servicing, 9-5 hours, boring format - same stages used. I'd now have to say I'm no longer the biggest DR fan.

But did DR cause the degradation of the sport or was he just a passenger? The FIA has real control of the sport. The biggest problem with the WRC in the past 10 years had been Citroen and Peugeot coming in and putting more money into their campaigns than Subaru, Ford, Mitsubishi and co have been able to put in. It's only been fairly recently that FOrd could even consider challenging for the manufacturers title.

[LotusElise]

I think it's fair to criticise the FIA more than Richards. It was they who brought in Superally, excessive stage reuse and centralised servicing. Any decisions that DR does make have to be approved by the FIA Rallies Commission, who can veto at any time. Although I prefer not to speak ill of the dead, the late Shekhar Mehta was one of the most enthusiastic "modernisers" or the WRC.
One thing I do feel that DR has tripped up on is his focus on TV coverage. Coverage should be to entertain, inform and encourage the viewer, so their needs should be considered above the supposed needs of production companies. TV audiences lapped up the more remote and fantastical stages the WRC used to visit, such as Sisteron, El Condor and pretty much anywhere on the Safari.

[COD]

I think in Daniels first post there is a hint of what is wrong. FIA has kept too much control over things to themselves instead of letting DR and ISC do what they wanted to do.

We don't know would giving "total" control of WRC to ISC have been good or bad. However, the FIA's decision must have based on not wanting to make DR as powerfull in WRC as Bernie is on F1

[Mihai]

About David Richards' popularity among WRC fans, you should read a grafitti message on the rock wall on the centre-right of this picture:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4828/dedicationsd1.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dedicationsd1.jpg)

PS: The picture is from SWRT media!

[Daniel]

About David Richards' popularity among WRC fans, you should read a grafitti message on the rock wall on the centre-right of this picture:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/4828/dedicationsd1.th.jpg (http://img248.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dedicationsd1.jpg)

PS: The picture is from SWRT media!
DR's popularity among WRC fans is not in doubt. I'm simply stating that maybe it's not quite as justified as some may think

[Mr.Sidewayz]

But did DR cause the degradation of the sport or was he just a passenger? The FIA has real control of the sport. The biggest problem with the WRC in the past 10 years had been Citroen and Peugeot coming in and putting more money into their campaigns than Subaru, Ford, Mitsubishi and co have been able to put in. It's only been fairly recently that FOrd could even consider challenging for the manufacturers title.

Is it possible for the FIA or limit the budget for each 'works team'? So instead of Subaru putting in 50 million and citroen puttin in 70 million they all have the same yearly amount to spend?

[Daniel]

Is it possible for the FIA or limit the budget for each 'works team'? So instead of Subaru putting in 50 million and citroen puttin in 70 million they all have the same yearly amount to spend?
Not really. They can limit testing and so on but they can't stop manufacturers from spending what they want to.

[Corny]

Is it possible to have a limit on people working for the team? (I mean the whole team, also in Paris/Barburry)

[noel157]

Is it possible to have a limit on people working for the team? (I mean the whole team, also in Paris/Barburry)

Budget limits or employee limits are not practicable. Can't be policed and how do you control sub-contracting etc? Obviously there are limits on people working on cars in service but can't really see anything like this happening. As things stand at present no team is going to be told how much they can spend or how many people make up that team.

To be honest I can't see Dave Richards making a lot of difference. He should perhaps get his rally team in order before venturing into other areas of the sport. Let's hope Subaru can at least get on the podium before the end of the season. The FIA is blamed for most things, rightly or wrongly, but they are getting better at things. Until there is a total revamp of the WRC via S2000 or some other way nothing will change over the next few years other than the usual gestures such as limited testing, small technical changes etc.

[ste898]

Dave Richards is the MAN that has destroyed the WRC and made into the circus it is now.........just to line his own pockets.
The man is a insult to rallying!!!

[Daniel]

Dave Richards is the MAN that has destroyed the WRC and made into the circus it is now.........just to line his own pockets.
The man is a insult to rallying!!!
Excellent logic Ste. By making the WRC unfun to watch this guy who owns the TV rights to the WRC which means he makes more money if the WRC is more popular has earnt more money.

Come back when your powers of reasoning are better tuned.....

[ste898]

Excellent logic Ste. By making the WRC unfun to watch this guy who owns the TV rights to the WRC which means he makes more money if the WRC is more popular has earnt more money.

Come back when your powers of reasoning are better tuned.....

I think you need to get your head out of the sand and see what's really happening to WRC rallying!!!!!!!

[cut the b.s.]

Dave Richards is the MAN that has destroyed the WRC and made into the circus it is now.........just to line his own pockets.
The man is a insult to rallying!!!

Thank you for your insightful, well thought out, calm, logical thinking, does your Daddy know your up late on the computer? ;-)

[cut the b.s.]

Excellent logic Ste. By making the WRC unfun to watch this guy who owns the TV rights to the WRC which means he makes more money if the WRC is more popular has earnt more money.

Come back when your powers of reasoning are better tuned.....

I think you sum things up well here Daniel, what ever people think of DR try to remember that a successful and popular WRC is what he needs, I dont like the way WRC has become of late but I'm sure DR is doing his best.

[ste898]

So you dont agree?

[N.O.T]

I think that If rRichards wants to invest in the WRC then i say go ahead and give him total control of the commercial rights...but he has to resign from his position at the oversized carts sponsor circus and commit himself to WRC....then i would trust him because the success of the WRC would be his only chance to make money

[wrc_flipper]

Very good day at Prodrive on Sunday and also had a chat with Mr Richards and David Lapworth, Charlie the technician and also her mum! Some pics on
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=7109&l=689dc&id=647561114

Back to the subject.

I have the following comments and suggestions for the WRC.
If ISC wants commercial control over then FIA then isn’t this is a good thing?!
The FIA to me seem to very Jurassic in the approach to any Motorsports – just look at the website to see that it’s not updated very often and lacks detail. Bernie Ecclestone runs F1 and very well too. Giving ISC or whoever takes the rains in 2009 more control has got to be good.
The FIA do have a roll in safety, organization and ensuring completeness in the sport. If they are haggling over everything from TV to T-Shirts then it’s a waste of time.

The TV coverage in the UK is okay, getting a major channel to cover 48+ days a year of any event in primtime slots does not happen, and what if its on ITV4 at least its coverage and by 2012 unless you like watching snow you would have a good chance of getting ITV4. Personally the £24 from amazon for a freeview box was well spent!

I do have a problem with WRC+ and associated cost and lack of content – radio is a great medium for the sport along with live spits. Daily roundups also are quite good to keep you intouch with the action from the day.

But it all costs money – and the only way is to cap the spending of teams and put in cost cutting in the technologies involved in manufacturing the cars. Capping spending will even out the field and allow manufactures to come back and keep in the sport. Spending millions on a team is not practical or viable for most if not all motor manufactures.

Rant over – looking forward to Finland and the rest of the season.

Flip

[Daniel]

I think you need to get your head out of the sand and see what's really happening to WRC rallying!!!!!!!
I think you need to explain the reasoning behind your posts rather than just making bold statements.

Be right back. I'm going to slit my wrists and ride the wave of prosperity that it will inevitably bring!

Oh wait.... I'm dead now!

[L5->R5/CR]

Excellent logic Ste. By making the WRC unfun to watch this guy who owns the TV rights to the WRC which means he makes more money if the WRC is more popular has earnt more money.

Come back when your powers of reasoning are better tuned.....



Perhaps the bigger issue that isn't being looked at is how David Richards pursues making money.


Of course making the WRC bad for TV is bad for ISC but, making the WRC good for non-WRC fans can be good for ISC. This is the biggest issue that must be considered and hasn't been discussed.

What has happened to the WRC is a sanitizing that has created a WRC that is more simple, "easier" and should have been more approachable to Joe Six Pack. This would be good for ISC, more viewers, more supporters, more commercial interests would make ISC more money. That is part of the issue.


Remember, the FIA makes a lot of the ill-concieved decisions in the name of commercial concerns and viability in hopes of making the sport more modern and successful (the commercial success of F1 doesn't help dissuade these notions either). DR, being the commercial interest voice to the WRC (the teams are the ones saying they need more value for the budgets to exist) has a very crucial roll to place in this fiasco.

This is the factor that needs to be considered.

If DR had complete control I have no doubts that he would make the WRC more successful as a business, but that doesn't mean he would make changes for the betterment of the sport...

[sollitt]

If DR had complete control I have no doubts that he would make the WRC more successful as a business, but that doesn't mean he would make changes for the betterment of the sport...

This is very true. In fact, I'd suggest every national body grapples with this in respect of their national championships.

Commercial success is great, even necessary to a large degree in order to secure the sport's existence. But at what point do we draw a line in the sand to protect the sport's integrity?

As a sport we need to take ownership or we will see the commercial interests fragment the sport to a point where it is no longer recognizable. Some would say we're already there.

I have the utmost respect for DR as a top competitor, team owner/manager, businessman. But I wouldn't hand the sport over to him hollis bollis.
The FIA is the sport's administrator and it's representation. That's where control must lie.

[koko0703]

If DR had complete control I have no doubts that he would make the WRC more successful as a business, but that doesn't mean he would make changes for the betterment of the sport...

I agree completely!!! But to a certain extend, WRC needs commercial success to atract new sponsors and more importantly car manufacturers. I think the problem right now is that WRC is copying Formula One although two sports are fundamentally different. For WRC to be commercially successful and entertainable for rally fans, WRC can't follow Formula One all the way but has to find its own way to promote the sports. I would suggests WRC should go opposite to be contrast with Formula One; not to glamorous fancy way but to wilder outdoor-type image. Afterall you can't promote mud-covered car as glamorous!!!

[AndyRAC]

I have the utmost respect for DR as a top competitor, team owner/manager, businessman. But I wouldn't hand the sport over to him hollis bollis.
The FIA is the sport's administrator and it's representation. That's where control must lie.

I agree with you, but the way he has gone about trying to make money has really annoyed me. Selling the soul of the sport to the highest bidder, trying to maKe it a mini-F1. A lot of the traditions of the sport were kicked aside in the rush to make money; Night stages, remote servicing, mixed surface events, identikit events, compact routes. During this years Monte didn't he complain about the service area being a bit tatty?

[Daniel]

I agree with you, but the way he has gone about trying to make money has really annoyed me. Selling the soul of the sport to the highest bidder, trying to maKe it a mini-F1. A lot of the traditions of the sport were kicked aside in the rush to make money; Night stages, remote servicing, mixed surface events, identikit events, compact routes. During this years Monte didn't he complain about the service area being a bit tatty?
How many of those things are actually DR's fault?

[wrc_flipper]

.... During this years Monte didn't he complain about the service area being a bit tatty?

Well it was in a grotty old industrial estate that did smell! - When you think of Monte, you do think of the casinos, water front etc. If you are taking people (sponcers or whoever) around then that was not the best look.

[AndyRAC]

How many of those things are actually DR's fault?

Didn't he encourage the F1A to make the changes, so that it would be easier for T.V to film and put out in a short space of time, hence the compact routes and early finishes to the days - no Night stages! The thinking was if it was easier to make and get on T.V it would be broadcast the same day, meaning more viewers, rather than delayed coverage after the event when people knew the result.
Regarding the Monte, yes I heard it was a bit smelly, which isn't ideal but Rallying shouldn't try to promote itself as a glamourus sport, I always thought it was trying to market itself as an Xtreme sport.

[Brother John]

I know only the name Dave Richards and if he has to run a business the ISC, it´s normal that they want to make profit!
Don´t blame a man that you don´t know for the hole wrc.
We have all or own opinion, that´s ok but the most imported thing is the sport. A sport need competition and that is the only thing that the F.I.A. must work on.
For me the positiv note in Daniels post is that Mr. Richards is maybe more realistic than we think.
F.I.A. should not work for profit and have commercial control but work for the sport.
I don´t mis the radio, I don´t need the split times, just give me the stage results.
If you want to blame someone don´t look at 1 person!

[jparker]

I agree completely!!! But to a certain extend, WRC needs commercial success to atract new sponsors and more importantly car manufacturers .......

Well, lets figure out what "commercial success" means. Is it only DR making money, or allowing car makers to get something in return too? Car makers suffer from two things, high expense to run WRC program and luck of exposure to promote their sponsors. FIA need to fix the first one, DV has to promise to fix the second one.
From what I've seen in the last couple of years, the media coverage has gone from poor to "nobody cares about it except people in this forum". Rally folks in US have better TV coverage then WRC?!?!?! So, DR wants successful championship so he can make money? Well, make it so Mr. Richards, you hold the media rights, so its up to you to provide that.
FIA doesn't let you do what you would like to? I don't know, maybe so, but if you don't tell us what are these things, then we don't know.

[L5->R5/CR]

How many of those things are actually DR's fault?



As was mentioned, the FIA made the changes, but they made the changes to correct a "problem" using DRs solutions.

[Lousada]

Dave Richards owns the ISC,

It was my understanding Richards owns 40% of ISC, and the rest is owned by Apax. Which would be the reason why he doesn't have complete control over the commercial rights of the WRC, which are all held by ISC. At least I can't imagine more companies owning parts of the commerical rights?

[RS]

The TV coverage in the UK is okay, getting a major channel to cover 48+ days a year of any event in primtime slots does not happen, and what if its on ITV4 at least its coverage...

But it did happen. When Channel 4 had the broadcasting rights it was on at one time between 7pm and 9pm on every evening of every event. Then ISC decided to move the coverage to ITV, and now look where it's ended up - on a non-terrestrial channel, which although most people can get in the UK now simply does not pull the same number of viewers, so the value goes down for the manufacturers and sponsors.

My impression is that Richards is out of touch with reality, he's a great bull$hitter and a likeable chap who obviously has rallying close to his heart, but the push to make the sport more TV friendly has made it boring and actually backfired quite badly.

But anyhow, now he can go and play with his F1 'team'

[AndyRAC]

But it did happen. When Channel 4 had the broadcasting rights it was on at one time between 7pm and 9pm on every evening of every event. Then ISC decided to move the coverage to ITV, and now look where it's ended up - on a non-terrestrial channel, which although most people can get in the UK now simply does not pull the same number of viewers, so the value goes down for the manufacturers and sponsors.

My impression is that Richards is out of touch with reality, he's a great bull$hitter and a likeable chap who obviously has rallying close to his heart, but the push to make the sport more TV friendly has made it boring and actually backfired quite badly.

But anyhow, now he can go and play with his F1 'team'

Regarding the Channel 4 coverage, at first it was good but after a few months it got pushed back to midnight, then they couldn't guarantee regular coverage. ITV took it over it wasn't too bad, okay not perfect, then the grumbles about no top British driver appeared and we knew what that meant, i;e we're thinking of pulling the coverage as nobody is watching it. When were there any adverts for it? Now it's on ITV4, even fewer know about it, worse still, there is no coverage in the papers or on national radio. Is this progress, all part of DR's grand plan?

[Tomi]

My impression is that Richards is out of touch with reality, he's a great bull$hitter and a likeable chap who obviously has rallying close to his heart, but the push to make the sport more TV friendly has made it boring and actually backfired quite badly.

But anyhow, now he can go and play with his F1 'team'

same as my toughts.

[BDunnell]

I don't see either Richards or the FIA as being an 'antichrist' figure, but they have both made some serious mistakes — the most serious being based on the notion that the WRC can be transformed into a sport to rival F1. It can't. Had both parties been more realistic about the potential appeal of rallying, they might not have been tempted into such major changes to the format of the rallies themselves. This is my biggest problem with the sport today.

[AndyRAC]

I don't see either Richards or the FIA as being an 'antichrist' figure, but they have both made some serious mistakes — the most serious being based on the notion that the WRC can be transformed into a sport to rival F1. It can't. Had both parties been more realistic about the potential appeal of rallying, they might not have been tempted into such major changes to the format of the rallies themselves. This is my biggest problem with the sport today.

Agree completely, mistakenly they're thinking is/was if it works in F1 it'll work for WRC. Look at the shiny service parks -trying to make it like the pit & paddock, just one example of they're thinking.
Go back 10 years to 1997, there was only Subaru, Mitsubishi, Ford; with the occaisional entry from Toyota, plus Seat, Peugeot 2L cars. In my opinion that was better than what we have now, plus the events hadn't changed beyond recognition. The media coverage was a lot better then, over here in UK there was regular radio updates on 5 Live, plus 30 minute highlights a week after the event. I'd actually prefer to go back to that if it meant Rallying improved. What's all this nonsense about stages in the dark being 'too dangerous', what is going on?

[Josti]

It's like David Richards is aiming for almost the complete opposite of own experiences in his active years in rallying :\

I know times change, but especially he should know better.

[A.F.F.]

I do think DR is an antichrist.

And I don't think he is consentrating much on WRC. He probably knows better but don't bother with lot F1 on his mind :mark:

[JAM]

We should look at David Richards activities on the last years and see what happened. A succes with Subaru on WRC, lack of sucess in F1 with BAR (really bad this one), success with Ferrari on FIA GT and ALMS, sucess with Aston Martin, lack of sucess during 3 years with Subaru on WRC (2005-2007) and lack of sucess with ISC.

Let's put the things on this way: David Richards is a man that really knows about motorsport but sometimes fail and his big interest is money because he is a business man. Look at his bid to enter in 2008 F1.... a very big bid. What's next? Try to sell is position and earn money.

DR is a business man and some business are hard to manage without "know how", as is the case of ISC. Maybe some business are more profitable than others and DR put more attention on the ones that assure more profit. WRC with the reduction of manufacturers saw is profits reducing... and ISC didn't make many thing to invert the situation.. It was obvious that this will falldown. To have a bif business a man should invest money adn i think that ISC started with the investment early covered, now we have the need of new investment and DR don't want to do that.

Let's follow with attention what the new owner of ISC will do with WRC image and after that we discuss again this matter.

[jso1985]

I think DR made the mistake with trying to make WRC a copy of F1, both are different sport in their souls so they can't be copied from each other.

Otherwise he did good IMO, (taking count the UK is not the world) TV coverage has improved a lot since he owns the commercial rights, at least here, maybe he's doing a good job only in some places.

[BDunnell]

I think DR made the mistake with trying to make WRC a copy of F1, both are different sport in their souls so they can't be copied from each other.

Otherwise he did good IMO, (taking count the UK is not the world) TV coverage has improved a lot since he owns the commercial rights, at least here, maybe he's doing a good job only in some places.

The quantity of TV coverage has generally increased. In some countries, it has then decreased again. Whether it's improved I'm unsure.

[BDunnell]

Let's follow with attention what the new owner of ISC will do with WRC image and after that we discuss again this matter.

But do they have any power to do anything about what's wrong with the sport itself?

[Tumbo]

looking at the situation from a logical point of view we had the 2001 and 2002 WRC seasons which were incredibly popular as the fans in F1 waned of Schumacher winning his 4th and 5th titles. The WRC had retained its old character still visiting Monte/Safari/Australia/San Remo etc etc and in 2001 at least the title fight went down to the final rally. 2003 comes along with the promise of ISC updating the package that they had acquired x? yrs previously and DR saying that he would fight to put WRC on the map against F1 etc etc. What we've seen since then is a steady decline in the essence of rallying and a move toward off-road F1. From all that i've read and seen happen over the last 4 yrs blame does rest primarily with the FIA; but DR has to take some of the blame. The whole notion of repetitive loops, shorter stages etc was mooted to increase TV audiences; ISC had a lot to do with those proposals.

DR isn't the anti-christ, he obviously isn't the one who caused the situation we have currently, but he must take some responsibility for his involvement - regardless of what he says he wants, he's claimed an awful lot in the past 4yrs about where he sees rally going and what he hopes to achieve through incentives and schemes HE claimed to have introduced. Personally as much as I like what he did with Prodrive I wouldn't trust him on this one. End of the day he's after lining his own pockets - the quick buck will prevail over the interests of the sport as suggested earlier.

Note also that a cynic might note the decline in F1 and the rise in WRC resulted in a subsequent rise in F1 and WRc declining as it moved toward a more F1 slanted format -whoever said conspiracy theories weren't fun :D

[AndyRAC]

Although it might not be popular, maybe it's time to admit that WRC isn't a 'Division 1' World Sport. Therefore FIA and ISC should cut their cloth accordingly. It's a major niche sport, incredibly popular in many countries; Finland, Portugal, Greece, Spain,etc. I want a WRC with many manufacturers, drivers, spectators, media coverage; maybe we were spoiled from 1998-2002, helped by the domination of F1 by Schumacher. As for Britain, it's fallen completely off the radar, in fact one of thr car monthly magazines has an article on the current plight of WRC.
So while I wouldn't call him the Antichrist, he hasn't helped the sport, having visions of grandeur, and selling the soul of the sport.

[JAM]

But do they have any power to do anything about what's wrong with the sport itself?

Television has a big value, even if the sport is not to atractive TV could improve the image of the sport. Look at F1 between 2002-2005, no spectacle but the TV was there and never had a crisis because the lack of spectacle.

The WRC is not in good shape, but we have a lot of WRC cars that are something to look at. It's a good basis to start working on the TV side.

[Daniel]

Television has a big value, even if the sport is not to atractive TV could improve the image of the sport. Look at F1 between 2002-2005, no spectacle but the TV was there and never had a crisis because the lack of spectacle.

The WRC is not in good shape, but we have a lot of WRC cars that are something to look at. It's a good basis to start working on the TV side.
The thing is F1 is simple. You sit on the couch and see the whole race live. With the WRC that's not possible. So you can know the result hours before a highlights program is on the air. That's one problem the WRC has that F1 doesn't :) But the TV coverage does need some work ;)

[AndyRAC]

Television has a big value, even if the sport is not to atractive TV could improve the image of the sport. Look at F1 between 2002-2005, no spectacle but the TV was there and never had a crisis because the lack of spectacle.

The WRC is not in good shape, but we have a lot of WRC cars that are something to look at. It's a good basis to start working on the TV side.

There might many WRCars, but how many are being driven properly at 100%? Only a few to be brutally honest. Too many people are preoccupied with TV coverage, Rallying can't be shown in it's proper state by TV, so just accept it ain't going to happen, instead concentrate on making the highlights better. Personally internet/radio is the way to go for WRC, not TV. Go back to the 70-80's, when WRC was great, yet there was no technology like the internet/mobile phones, I'd say more people followed the WRC then. With all the modern advantages of todays technology TV shouldn't be the be all/end all.

[A.F.F.]

How com I see better footage from Italian, Belgian etc. national rallyes every week ??? I mean seriously, better footage than WRC. Something is wrong with the picture.

[SubaruNorway]

I think the main thing to that is the lousy onboard cameras, like the bumper and roof cam with terrible quality. It's been like that for the past years, like when i buy the review dvd and check out the onboards i am always disapointed, the last realy god one was Petter in oninpuhja way back in 2004.

[BDunnell]

Note also that a cynic might note the decline in F1 and the rise in WRC resulted in a subsequent rise in F1 and WRc declining as it moved toward a more F1 slanted format -whoever said conspiracy theories weren't fun :D

I seriously wonder what the FIA could do with rallycross if it was bothered. They would probably be able to make more of a fist of it than they and ISC have collectively managed to do with rallying.

[BDunnell]

Although it might not be popular, maybe it's time to admit that WRC isn't a 'Division 1' World Sport. Therefore FIA and ISC should cut their cloth accordingly. It's a major niche sport, incredibly popular in many countries; Finland, Portugal, Greece, Spain,etc. I want a WRC with many manufacturers, drivers, spectators, media coverage; maybe we were spoiled from 1998-2002, helped by the domination of F1 by Schumacher. As for Britain, it's fallen completely off the radar, in fact one of thr car monthly magazines has an article on the current plight of WRC.

Something that's admittedly not helped by the lack of top-line British drivers.

[BDunnell]

There might many WRCars, but how many are being driven properly at 100%? Only a few to be brutally honest.

To me, it's the way in which every front-running car appears as if on rails most of the time, and can be driven flat-out constantly if need be, that helps make the sport more boring than it was when I was growing up. In the '80s, I think you could really tell if someone was trying hard. This isn't so much the case any more.

I'm not saying that the WRC should become a series of regularity or reliability runs, but the element of having to occasionally take things a bit steadier is a big part of the sport for me, and of its challenge.


Go back to the 70-80's, when WRC was great, yet there was no technology like the internet/mobile phones, I'd say more people followed the WRC then.

As much as I'd like to agree with that statement, I'm not sure whether it's actually true.

[jso1985]

The quantity of TV coverage has generally increased. In some countries, it has then decreased again. Whether it's improved I'm unsure.

I stand corrected!, it has increased not improved

[AndyRAC]

Going slightly off thread, I thought DR's intentions were to have WRC and F1 on alternate weekends. So what has happened this weekend? Hungarian GP and the 'Crown Jewel' of WRC - 1000 Lakes (Rally Finland). Though we know were all the top F1A brass will be at. Couldn't make it any more plainer that WRC is an afterthought, like the naughty child.

[A.F.F.]

When Bernie says:"jump", DR asks: "how high?". :rolleyes:

[AndyRAC]

When Bernie says:"jump", DR asks: "how high?". :rolleyes:

Too true!! Couldn't be more right!!