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ad a) Promoter doesnt want to make different order, he wants to have the latest one winner of the rally. More and more you can see that power stage podium doesnt reflects power stage results, nobody takes care about it. All is focused to podium of whole rally...Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
ad b) Promoter never understand sense of start order selection. They always ignore it in ERC and for next year they even cancelled it. So its introduction to WRC doesnt have a big chance...
You might be disappointed when you find that what attracts the teams may be completely different to what the hardcore fans expect.Quote:
Originally Posted by bomber21
Anyway I agree with Pluto. First mus be a clear goal. Everything else only defines the way to achieve it. It makes no sense to taylor a route when you don't know its destination.
With the ERC calendar confirmation it was also confirmed that Rally Estonia will be back in WRC in 2025
Where did you found this confirmation?Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
https://rallyestonia.com/en/spectato...endar-in-2025/Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
As correctly PLuto said, there's a big question to answer before developing the format or other things: what do they want?
If the answer is Manufacturers: talk to the current ones, ask what do they want in the future and ask the interested ones to ask them the same question. Once you have this answer, you can develop the whole project.
If the answer is a true and fancy global championship, ask what do the following wants: Manufacturers, Event Promoters, Global Partners (past, current and interested), TV broadcasters and of course the FIA eventually if that's acceptable for their view of the sport. Once you did this, you can go forward and draw a project.
That said, I am gonna get a sh@@storm, but here we go:
In my opinion, I would go for a championship from 2027 onwards with current Rally 1 cars (just less carbon fiber and using some parts from the road cars) on only synth-fuels. No hybrid and less prototypes cars would keep Rally1 cars extremely spectacular and muscular/noisy on the stages, while lowering a bit the costs of building and running those cars.
At the same time, the FIA should make a real due diligence on the finances of the teams and understand where we can eventually cut on costs and, finally, set up a clear budget cup of, let's say, 60-70 Millions.
Once you have the cars, the Promoter's duty is to work on help current teams finding sponsors (i.e. find some and "introduce" them to the teams) and partners (i.e. proper support to the championship growth), so bringing a sponsorship like DHL with no actual cash, but in exchange just some freight available for the flyaway rallies, similar to the terms of agreement with WTCC promoters.
TV, a VERY big problem.
Furthermore, in order to add more value-for-money investments for the stakeholders, it's time for them to change their "Media Mix" distribution model! Asian broadcasters are completely disappeared, same in the Americas. They're talking about bringing the WRC to Chattanooga, but if they do, who is gonna watch it and where?
For this, I would go for a 2-stage TV rights package (Saturday afternoon and Power Stage) for free-to-air networks, then a "medium" package with the World Feed stages (5-6 per event) and a full one like on TNT or Cosmote with the whole content of Rally TV.
In order the "TV product" to be more catchy: new opening titles (F1 style, it must be a real "heroes anthem"), new graphics, new camera angles and use better the heli shots to be more impressive (it's just following the action, with no shots like: jumping over a mountain and going down to zoom to the start line in a more acrobatic way, etc). The first shots are extremely important to catch viewers... and yeah, sending pre-recorded action with music it's so 00's. Just get over it.
Also, I'm sad to say it, but we need fresh faces (I would keep all the way Colin Clark, extremely entertaining man)!
Finally, the "free" content on Social media: it's incredible that we have a very-bad-produced Shakedown live feed, diluted amongst magazines, drivers, event pages, rather than uniquely on the WRC official page. For this, I would raise the production level to a World Feed, broadcasted uniquely from the WRC official pages (Facebook, YouTube and adding Twitch, which can bring thousands of euros per live to be reinvested in promoting their contents on social media). I would also add the warm-up / daily-wrap up / post-rally LIVE broadcasts, plus the press conferences (with the same backdrop for every event to give more value to the global sponsorships).
Now, calendar and format.
As previously said, I would compact the event to 2.5 days:
FRIDAY: Shakedown-Quali in the morning, afternoon with Opening Ceremony in city centers (with ledwalls and pumping music), then a couple of stages before Prime-Time TV World Feed for a big Superspecial (like Acropolis or Japan in their respective stadiums or Cagliari for Sardinia in front of 40-50k people)
SATURDAY: a loop of stages in the morning, ending with a similar-to-WPS "Super Stage" (potentially giving another naming-rights to a big sponsor like Wolf) with hospitalities, maxiscreens, food courts, merchandise on small arenas to show tons of spectators (I am thinking about Loelle in Sardinia with the kart-cross circuit, in which building all this stuff around). Finally, wrapping-up the day with another Live TV Superspecial.
SUNDAY: keeping it like it is, with rally-ending Wolf Power Stage.
A more compact format would mean less costs for competitive mileage, less accomodation costs for the teams competing AND THUS, the chance to let them "digest" some more events around the globe, with some logistic support (see above about DHL).
There's tons of work to do to achieve this, but this would let the WRC being popular once again and gain some new fans willing to spend into TV-Merchandise-Tickets once the "80's" fans won't be attending anymore.
I have seen that press release too, but only after my post. We will see what will happen next year...Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
This is not completely true. We can see it in ERC, where they were pushing for 4-day format to cut the costs. But in fact, everything is so hectic, there is very short time between test and scrutineering etc. So it can means teams need to be fully ready (with more people) for longer time. And still we can see that lot of competitors is coming to the area previous weekend for adaptation to the region to be mentally and phisically ready...Quote:
Originally Posted by typhoon
Eh..?!Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
It clearly says:
Quote:
Rally Estonia will be the fourth round of the 2024 ERC season on 5-7 July 2024
Rally Estonia will be back in the WRC calendar in the year 2025
We will see what wil happen... ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by TypeR
I actually really like the idea 1. Should prevent at least most of the crews cruising around on Sunday.Quote:
Originally Posted by bluuford
Cool story..Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
Enlighten us maybe..?
,,Oh, I can't..''
I see and I'd agree with that if true, I'm out of ERC events since some years now and I can't see what's going on first-hand. But definitely seeing Sardinia and Acropolis this year, as well as keeping an eye on the rest of the issues, there's so much room for improvement in all the remaining areas I wrote down. But WRC Promoter seems more keen to get the 1M from each promoter and share dividends, rather than improving the situation and actually cash much more money, which would mean a championship in a better shape for everyone.Quote:
Originally Posted by PLuto
I think that this is the biggest issue. Everybody is concerned only in their own needs. FIA, promoter, manufacturers, teams, competitors, organisers. Everybody is proposing what will suits them the best (or what will bring them more money) but there is not so many of them who wants to see and make anything in gloval improvement of the championship...Quote:
Originally Posted by typhoon
1. I would remove one spot from calendar and make sure that all continents are included.
-4x gravel
-4x tarmac
-2x mixed (gravel/tarmac)
-1x snow
-1x full mixed (snow/tarmac/gravel)
2. Maybe introduce qualifying stage on a shakedown basis.
3. Shorten distance between stages (that means stages are run closer to each other, so people could spectate more action).
4. Each event to held super special stage in the base of rally (more people could saw direct action, show, sponsors, key people)
5. Classes:
-WRC (Rally1)
-WRC2 (Rally2)
-WRC Junior (Rally3)
-WRC Masters (open class for all previous rally cars), here I would maybe limit entries if there would be too much crews applied... it would be quite a spectacle if Akio could show up in old Celica or Loeb in his winning Xsara.
6. Events could simultneously run for continental or even national championship. That way you could cover enough entries in the likes of Kenya and finales like Australia (I mean that would be only case if there were not enough entries for each event).
7. Coverage
-If they want to engage new fans they could at least give something to them. Every year there is less and less coverage in all aspects. Some stages could be brought to the tv back for free or some channels. Magazines and highlights. For hardcore fans paying service in likes of behind the scenes, all live coverage, cameras in a service park, maps... (like it is now). Official WRC news could be DirtFish crew. They know how to make really good and engaging content.
8. About cars, well I don't know. I would personaly love more brands and more seats available.. But first try to keep all three in the game and then search for more.
Rally Estonia confirmed for 2025. Will run as an ERC event next season.
About Msport situation
https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/what-...-driver-plans/
Based on this it seems it’s Fourmaux and Loubet and Munster with some outings
solberg again no seatQuote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
My bet is Yaris rally2 for himQuote:
Originally Posted by 1988senna
According DH - Moteurs (de Wilde)
M-Sport with Fourmaux + nordic driver (Lindholm or...) + Munster
Hyundai with Mikkelsen and Sordo sharing 3rd car
Loubet in GR Yaris Rally2
Skoda back to official own program. Toksport "lost" the program.
----
I heard Gryazin in C3 Rally2 with DG too.
And what about Lappi?Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
How do Toksport lose Skoda? Something fishy about the manufacturers championship, either the 2+2 thing, or 2 or 2, or something else. The only thing suggesting otherwise is Toyota's insistence it won't have works Rally2 team.
I doubt a little about all this, but this sparked to me that,Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
I think Loubet if he wants to be competitive and show his speed should go back to rally2, like solberg and Greensmith did and show his speed, if he has any, and Yaris would be best for it i think, even tho we havent had a chance to see it competing yet, but i think it will be fast
I believe we have different source but same thing about Gryazin - Citroen C3 rally2 in WRC2. But I heard about PH Sport as team driving this operation with Citroen factory backing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira
Lefebvre probably as a teammate for Loubet in a (AEC/Burton Racing) Yaris and Pajari in a Printsport Yaris. So it will be interesting to see who Skoda will choose for their factory team.. Mikkelsen seems now to close the deal for sure with Hyundai.. Maybe it'll be Oliver if he doesnt get a Rally1 seat. And than you have a big pool of drivers like Ingram, Bulacia, Cais, Greensmith etc..
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Why would Citroen (Team France) back Gryazin and abandon Loubet and Lefebvre to a most probably not French run GR Yaris?
Gryazin and Rossel whit Citroën. Ran by Belgian DG sportQuote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
wow the WRC2 silly season is on fire, it seems Toyota coming might shake things up quite a bit. If those moves happen they will be a surprise to me but after the Rovanpera rumour came true I'll take a wait and see aproach.
So if we go by that, are the 5 Yaris Toyota said will have ready at the start be for: Lefebvre, Loubet, Pajari and the two japanese young drivers?
About the Mikkelsen thing, how does that fit in with Neuville, Tanak full season and Lappi part season? something doesn't make sense to me...
Mikkelsen will probably only do 6 events with Hyundai Rally1.Quote:
Originally Posted by seb_sh
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That would still mean at least a part time 4th Hyundai or Sordo out and Lappi sharing with Mikkelsen. The latter doesn't really sound sensible.Quote:
Originally Posted by mousti
hmm thinking about it, it could be that Sordo will have a "good bye" rally in Portugal, that leaves 6 + 6 for Mikkelsen and Lappi. Even if Sordo does 2-3 rallies that leaves 5-6 for Mikkelsen and Lappi each. That could be how they plan to maximise road position.
,,Suninen has entered the chat..''
Top tier gossip NGL.
I really hope Mikkelsen to Hyundai is true. Also it will be fun if Škoda just obliterates Toyota in rally2
It did sound like something new is going on for Mikkelsen and Eriksen next year, at least from what i heard
So Suninen ditched to Hyundai rally2 program again or to Msport?
And Mikkelsen Sordo sharing both the 3rd car with Lappi? That doesn’t make sense for me too unless there is 4 cars out on some events
Mikkelsen in Rally1 is gooood!
6 rallies, can he do the others in Škoda i wrc2?
Is he "full" factorydriver, or some kind of freelance?
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Agreed, Mikkelsen and Lappi sharing to get a cleaning advantage doesn't sound to sensible.Quote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
But maybe the fourth Hyundai story from earlier in the year is true after all.
ok that makes a lot of sense now if Sordo makes only one event but i would call it hardly sharing from Sordos point on view :D
great news, finally he and his loyal fans here got the chance and im really eager to see what he can do then.
Well, yeah, was thinking about a 2-rally program for Sordo to end his career at*«*home*» (just depending on the driver, I thought he could do Monte or Safari in addition to Portugal).
Because almost 6 months without driving, I’m sure Sordo can be that competitive in Portugal.
But on a general perspective, Portugal makes sense on a performance point of view also as he is on a 3-podium streak there (and 2nd ahead of Lappi last year).