Yesterday's Autocar.....

I love rallying all over the planet. But case in point - I go to local SCCA AutoCrosses here in memphis and all the old guys still talk about the old MK2 Escorts and Fiats (RWD) Munari, Mikkola, Vatanen....now most of these guys are rusty old country boys with good upbringing, college, and good jobs. Just a generation away from trailer park and poverty. But the very fact that these guys know of these relatively obscure drivers and cars (to americans anyway) says something for RWD action.

I have been saying this for years, why not have a class for RWD cars. This might bring BMW, Porsche, Aston Martin, and the occasional Ferarri back to the stages. (Lifting the mandate that manufacturers contest the entire damned calendar might not hurt either.)

AWD has proved its point, its faster, but at the end of the day its a circus, and a good circus has memorable attractions.

RallyCat909

The reason there is not alternative classes introduced is because then WRC might become more popular the FIA (Ferrari International Assistance) can't have any of that. Eh Mr Mosley......

A RWD class would be fantastic but WRC is the little niggling pain in the a$$ sidekick to the F1 championship in the eyes of the FIA.

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Originally Posted by WRCfan

The reason there is not alternative classes introduced is because then WRC might become more popular the FIA (Ferrari International Assistance) can't have any of that. Eh Mr Mosley......

A RWD class would be fantastic but WRC is the little niggling pain in the a$$ sidekick to the F1 championship in the eyes of the FIA.

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I think you are probably right - what in my view is unforgivable - there are 3 FIA World Championships, yet the FIA seem to be only interested in one of them, to the detriment of the others.
I'd allow another class, and allow Manufacturers not to do the full Championship - I don't have a problem with them dipping in and out of the WRC - it needs all the help it can get, and adds variety.

Has the FIA's interest in F1 really been in its best interest?

Perhaps if WRC was to become as famous as F1 then the FIA would pay it more attention.

The WRC has massive appeal to the public, much more in my opinion because:

- The public can relate to the cars, you can buy a Citroen C4, Impreza, Focus.
- The drivers can be acessed (sp) by fans and spectators, they are often very friendly too
- Variety amongst the rallies - snow, tarmac, gravel, mud and so on...

Although with the way the two are presented the WRC has a more down to earth feel about it. F1 is hyped up so much, the drivers are almost impossible to get anywhere near, you can kiss goodbye to ever purchasing a road-going version of the F1 cars so it is harder for fans to be close to the sport thus it has this "idolised" image for people. Kind of hard to explain my thinking here although hopefully I make some sense.

WRCfan