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Bring simpler, slower cars and get rid of the safety issues related to the excessive speed modern cars have, then bring back classic stages (and don't cut them down), and finally proper rallys and not glorified rallysprints.
Simple but we've been saying that for ages and no one has ever listened, and if they have they must still be laughing at us.
The formula with one service in central of the rally only brought bigger and bigger trailers (and more expensive) just to be static at one place.
The old form made it impossible to use those big ones. So back to the old form af rallying with at least 3-4 different serviceplaces. And then the GT3 as a complement. :) :)
But let's not get rid of a talent like Loeb unless he genuinely decides — misguidedly, in my view — that anything other than the current breed of cars isn't for him. I re-read an interview with Hannu Mikkola recently in which he said that the challenge now isn't so much driving WRC cars but to find the absolute limit in WRC cars and do it safely. Loeb is clearly far better at this than anyone, and deserves great respect accordingly, as dull as the spectacle has become.
Juha Kankkunen had some visions on how should it be made in his 50th birthday interview for Finnish motorsports monthly Vauhdin Maailma (VM).
Most notable he was sure that even six rounds would be enough or six to eight rounds. That could mean (if the budgets are kept on the level they are now) that teams could run two or three times as many cars as they do now. More seats means more chances for up and coming talents. Smaller calendar could also interest more manufactures, perhaps.
Also - if there would be lesser amount of rounds in the calendar teams could prepare and recce for single race for two weeks or so - similar as were done in the past. That would also give better chances to learn the route for new drivers.
I don't have the article in front of me, so I don't quote more, but there are some other ideas as well. Generally, Juha does make a point. He also mentioned that he hasn't drove his last NORF yet, so I hope he'll find budget for this year's NORF or soon in the coming years,
Would you be ready for 6-8 rounds championships? And in a dream universe - Monte, Sweden, Corsica, Argentina, Finland, GB - perhaps Australia and Portugal as well. Rrrright.
I think it was 1991 when I was part of a group of journalists invited by Ford to Rally Finland (Thousand Lakes). At that time there was of course no centralized servicing. I remember John Taylor explaining the service format to us and showing all the different service vehicles needed for the rally. True, they didn`t have any semitrailers in those days, but something like 8 midsize service lorries, combined with 8 Mitsubishi Pajeros and a number of "chase cars" operating as mobile service units after more or less each stage of the rally. The whole service apparatus, and the number of mechanics and personell involved was much, much bigger than it is today. And it cost huge amounts of money!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rallyper
So just bring back the "good old days" - and we will experience that costs actually prohibits any rally driving on world championship level at all...
I've seen many times drivers wanting to have less events in the name of cost cuts, funnily though never seen anyone willing to cut their own salary same time to have even more cost cuts as there would be less events ...Quote:
Originally Posted by Hartusvuori
I would think that wouldn't happen - there would have to be a limit on the number of mechanics and vans/trucks. We can't go back to those days, however, what we have now is not working - so something in the middle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Iskald
As for Juha's idea of 6-8 Rallies - I can't see that happening. I'd say 10 is the absolute minimum, but I know were he is coming from.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Of course, it will never happen. But the arguments in this thread gives an impression that many want rallying back to the "stone ages", with traditional events spanning more days, longer distances and extended geography. Which are all going to raise costs hugely. Rally GB (RAC Rally) used to be four days continously rallying through most of England and Wales. It was a real adventure for those taking part, but it simply isn`t possible to run such events any longer. And therefore ět won`t happen.
There are traditionalists in all sports. Cross country skiing is a big sport in my country. There are still many who can`t stomach a 50 km event run in loops of 7,5 km and with all skiers starting together. In the "good all days", the skiers just disappeared into the forest for a 25 km loop and was on their own for nearly 90 minutes before they came back. Sure, that was better than seeing the skiers into a stadium for every 20 minutes....
This is modern days rallying, guys, just accept it. Cloverleaf is not that bad!
In what sense has the cloverleaf format brought any of the hoped-for benefits in terms of media (especially TV) coverage and increased public interest?Quote:
Originally Posted by Iskald
Surely that's because there's only 5 guys actually being paid to drive the cars and I doubt they're earning anything close to F1 money. For the amount of risk they take they shouldn't have to take a pay cut to cover the FIAs incompetency!Quote:
Originally Posted by DonJippo