This is bad! While I agree the sport should visit america more it should have a spread of events all around the world, hence it being the "World" Rally Championship!Quote:
Originally Posted by Red bull
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This is bad! While I agree the sport should visit america more it should have a spread of events all around the world, hence it being the "World" Rally Championship!Quote:
Originally Posted by Red bull
Well, quite. It is a difficult 'balancing act' — how best to maintain the sport in its traditional markets, something Jean Todt is clearly aware of, while also trying to expand it elsewhere, and at the same time attempting to keep costs down. At a time when there isn't that much for anyone, even the diehard enthusiasts, to get excited about, goodness knows how growth can be achieved. Going back to America is unquestionably a good idea, but how could a World Championship not visit Asia/Australasia at all?Quote:
Originally Posted by Allyc85
I'm bored of the constant updates the Irally App has on the politics and other BS with north one sport...Its all we ever seem to hear on there now!Quote:
Originally Posted by J.Lindstroem
I don't see any validity in taking the show to America at all. All this talk about the size of the market is a red herring.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
However I wouldn't shed tears if the championship narrowed it's geographic focus. An all Europe WRC is fine as long as in doing so the manufacturers open up more opportunities for top competitors.
In reality the WRC has never taken a foothold in Asia and, in terms of local usefulness, both RNZ and Rally Australia have had their day. There is now such a disconnect between these events and their local scenes & competitors that not only do they not add value but they are actually a burden to the regional sport.
Would you say the same about F1? Everyone involved with F1, including those of more traditional mind regarding the venues it should frequent, seems to be of the view that a return to the USA is vital.Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
In which case, it would cease factually to be a World Championship.Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
Surely exactly the same could be said of Rally GB?Quote:
Originally Posted by sollitt
Not at all. In most sports, world championships are played out each year at single venues. The key is to make the championship more accessable to world players, not a thinly contested world travelling circus.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
Actually, I think under the FIA statutes it only needs to hit 3 continents to be considered for the World Championship status. Hence why, from memory not that long ago, the JWRC was downgraded for a season.Quote:
Originally Posted by BDunnell
As for Rally GB, well, the less said about that the better.
Going to Wales was, I@m sure, great financially for the MSA, but she's a shadow of her once self,.
As far as I'm aware, to qualify for a World Championship - a series should visit 4/5 continents...but waivers are given in extremis.
As has already been said, it's a difficult balancing act; spreading/ growing the WRC, whole keeping costs down. We keep getting told that China, India, Brazil, Russia, etc are huge markets for the WRC - but are they? Is there the interest in the WRC? Are we going to find 5 men and a dog spectating....?
Personally, I would consolidate and get the WRC back to some kind of strength before expanding, i;e walk before you run. I've said it many times, but it's worth repeating, this isn't F1 - making the WRC a success is a lot harder to do.
As for RallyGB - it is now run purely for the benefit of the WRC. If the FiA dropped it for whatever reason, I seriously doubt it would run. Which wouldn't have been the case with the old RAC Rally. Whereas the Monte & 1000 Lakes would run, as they are almost bigger than the sport, a bit like Le Mans.
While I would love to see an event here, I don't see the USA putting on a great event. We have too many lawyers with their hands in everything, we don't have the wrc fan base and to be honest I don't think we have the caliber of roads. The best we have yet to produce is ken block? I can only imagine the heyday N.O.T would have commenting on an event here. Maybe I am being cynical...
that would be the best day in the modern history of the sport... i am a huge fan of a US round in the WRC...Quote:
Originally Posted by TyPat107
Block wasn't produced by the US... block created himself into an icon to earn money and have a chin transplant... the absence of a WRC round in the US helped Blocks reputation.
Getting treated like a little scared doggy from a polar bear from the true rally drivers in a home round would deflate his fake bubble of him being a rally driver.