Why WRC isn't popular as F1?

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.

Group B or maybe an A B mixhttp://pspinsidetheconcept.blog.play...rd_extreme.jpg

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

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Originally Posted by theugsquirrel

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

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

;)

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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..

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Originally Posted by 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?

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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Originally Posted by 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 ...

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:)

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Originally Posted by pino

There isn't spectacle = wrong !

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

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Originally Posted by Francis44

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

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:rotflmao:

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Originally Posted by Francis44

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

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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! :) :) :)

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

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

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Originally Posted by Motorsportfun

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! :) :) :)

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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).

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..

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.

I agree..

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Originally Posted by Barreis

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

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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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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

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

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Originally Posted by 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..

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

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.

Unbelievable..

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Originally Posted by DexDexter

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

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

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Originally Posted by anthonyvop

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

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

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Originally Posted by 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.

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

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Originally Posted by anthonyvop

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

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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.

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

Define "show"

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Originally Posted by 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..

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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.

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Originally Posted by jonkka

Define "show"

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Something ultra popular that attracts people..

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Originally Posted by 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..

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btw, have u ever been to a rally?

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Originally Posted by Barreis

Something ultra popular that attracts people..

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

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Originally Posted by Tomi

btw, have u ever been to a rally?

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

There are not enought manufacturesin the WRC!

Lots of drivers but no drives.

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Originally Posted by Barreis

Something ultra popular that attracts people..

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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.

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..