Flyover map:
https://vimeo.com/1107383745?fl=pl&fe=sh
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Flyover map:
https://vimeo.com/1107383745?fl=pl&fe=sh
Oh, my - and this is the decisive championship round for the next 10 years? In the early season it would be nice; diversity is necessary; but temperatures would be an issue outside Nov-Feb window.
Cleaning and punctures will be an issue.
I wonder whether road cleaning will actually be an issue.
Does the road actually have a hard base to provide extra grip for later runners? If it's just sand then it might be an advantage being 1st or 2nd on the road
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/what-...di-test-event/
I wonder what they learned from the test event earlier this year ?
Plus there's virtually no videos of it, just a couple of clips like this...
https://youtube.com/shorts/iGa_8Fblk...C7OwBysr-UvKPt
Does anyone else feel a bit underwhelmed about the WRCs final round being in Saudi Arabia? I always feel that an established, historic, well supported (by fans, not money) event should at least open and close the WRC.
This year more than ever, the WRC really has kicked itself in the balls. Let’s not kid ourselves that the majority of WRC fans are European based, as are all of the teams. Just imagine a showdown in Wales, with a Welshman with a chance of winning. Honestly, I can’t see how elfyn can match Ogier in SA, but in wales he would have a great chance. I hope I’m wrong.
However, the only real loser here is the WRC as whole. The championship is dying. 2/3 manufacturer teams. Two work champions leaving at the end of the season, one who hasn’t even reached his peak. But worst of all, a part-time multiple world champion is probably going to win…..again.
I really, really hope Evans can put up a fight, he’s an amazing driver and deserves a championship. It would be so much better if going into the final stage, say Clogaenog, with a chance of victory, then crossing the line exactly where McRae did in 95, winning the championship for wales for the first time ever in front of thousands of boo or hat rally fans. What a story that would be. Instead, someone will win in a stage nobody has ever heard of, infront of a few wealth blokes. Sad :(
Yes it feels very underwhelming, dare I say more than Monza back in 2020 or at the very least 2021...even if say the Final round would've been in Corsica/Catalunya/Austraila/Wales of Course/Ireland/Ypres for crying out loud and still it would be a lot less underwherlming than Saudi Arabia...Quote:
Originally Posted by Doon
Underwhelming and in a country where the normal type of end of season parties will be at odds with the strict culture it does all smack of brown envelopes being accepted by the outgoing promoter. And its not just for one year.
I'll take it for what it is and appreciate something new and different as a challenge to the best drivers on the planet. And being the season finale makes it all the more exciting.
My only real issue is the possibility of it being a lottery for punctures. Hopefully it wont be plus drivers can drive accordingly to avoid them.
Underwhelmed at Saudi? No, it's not had chance to prove underwhelming. And in previous years final rounds have been in Australia or Japan, or (championships won at) at earlier rounds in various places.Quote:
Originally Posted by Doon
Underwhelmed with WRC? Yes, for a few seasons now. If Saudi isn't entertaining, it'll likely be more the state of the sport, but I'm going to go into this event with a positive mind as usual else its not worth being a fan. I think the reality is a Wales rally this year wouldn't have had as many Rally1s as Saudi, and if Elfyn or Seb had a retirement on the first corner than it could have been just as drab.
Imagine headlines if both title contenders retire and Rovanpera steal the show 🙈