[WRC] News & rumours (part II)

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Originally Posted by tommeke_B

It would be a good idea to scrap Alsace and put Corsica in... Also financially for the teams, they could run Corsica first, and 2 weeks later Sardinia... But as long as the region of Alsace will pay their Loeb-show, I think the rally will stay in.

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Well, i have been thinking abou this but have not been brave enough to put this idea here. This calendar with 14 roudns looks nice, but I have one more and very crazy idea.
1. Alscae +France = 1 round. All fully on tarmac. Maybe little bit longer event, lets say 4 days. 2 Days in France, 2 days in Germany. In one year starts form France, the second year starts in Germany (then there is no problem, who is going to get weekend and who is going to get work days.
2. This is comoletely crazy idea. Mixed event Corsica+Sardegna. Two days in Corsica (full tarmac), one day travelling and then two days in Sardegna (Full gravel), During this one day mechanics can convert the cars to gravel setup and teams can use it for short travel and promotional activities.
So, then we can cover four current events with two events and additional cost would be pretty minimal.
Maybe to use tha same one day for travelling and promotional activities in France-Germany event as well?
We are in one EU anyway, why not to create something new based on the calssics we have? We just need to think without borders.

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Originally Posted by bluuford

Well, i have been thinking abou this but have not been brave enough to put this idea here. This calendar with 14 roudns looks nice, but I have one more and very crazy idea.
1. Alscae +France = 1 round. All fully on tarmac. Maybe little bit longer event, lets say 4 days. 2 Days in France, 2 days in Germany. In one year starts form France, the second year starts in Germany (then there is no problem, who is going to get weekend and who is going to get work days.
2. This is comoletely crazy idea. Mixed event Corsica+Sardegna. Two days in Corsica (full tarmac), one day travelling and then two days in Sardegna (Full gravel), During this one day mechanics can convert the cars to gravel setup and teams can use it for short travel and promotional activities.
So, then we can cover four current events with two events and additional cost would be pretty minimal.
Maybe to use tha same one day for travelling and promotional activities in France-Germany event as well?
We are in one EU anyway, why not to create something new based on the calssics we have? We just need to think without borders.

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As always with combined events, certainly across country borders is who's going to pay for them? Most events get considerable funding from tourism or government bodies, and they're unlikely to tip in even half the amount of money that they normally would if the exposure is not only split, but also split with another country that they are competing against for exposure and tourist dollars.

Not to mention the political ramifications. What ASN do they run under? Who is the top dog? Lots of sponsors may not run in both countries etc...

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Originally Posted by rallyfiend

As always with combined events, certainly across country borders is who's going to pay for them? Most events get considerable funding from tourism or government bodies, and they're unlikely to tip in even half the amount of money that they normally would if the exposure is not only split, but also split with another country that they are competing against for exposure and tourist dollars.

Not to mention the political ramifications. What ASN do they run under? Who is the top dog? Lots of sponsors may not run in both countries etc...

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This is all about tho think out from the frames and borders we are used to. Every problem has its solution. Why not to promote two islands togehter, making them even more attractive? When I go to holiday, I look the amount of available opportunities. Two islands can give me much more opposrtunities than one. What ASN? ask from Sweden and Norway. Maybe one ASN in one year, the other in second year? I do not know many restrictions in EU regarding different reglementations for sponsors. There are some problems indeed, but if you like to live interesting life, then it is never easy.

Rally Ireland ran with a cross border initiative. Equal funding from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. If its for the greater good of the respective regions pride and predujdice comes in second place. If the FIA want to cut costs in the sport this is the most sensible way of doing it but as always politics always gets in the way of a good plan.

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Originally Posted by Gherid_lacksGPS

Well, we most definitely have the roads, that's not the issue. Fan base and current exposure levels are the finicky components. The grass roots peeps and organizers would LOVE to host an event. Love him or hate him, KB has probably been one of the best things for rally in the US. Competitive? Hardly. Love for the the sport, dumps in the money and gets people to take interest? Few are better. Duplessis and Sarasin - wtf happened to that kid? - are, from a pure rally pedigree, superior drivers. They just don't have the resources, and thus the experiences that comes with it.

Honestly, stage rally may never make it "big time" in the states. But I would not be surprised one bit if, in a fews years to come, rallycross becomes HUGE. It seems to appeal to the "US demographic" of racing fans.

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What roads? The fia sent Nicky grist over a few years ago to check out events for a possible wrc and it was his opinion that our roads were no good, that for starters they wouldn't hold up to a dozen wrc going over them. Events like 100 acre wood are way to wide open. On top of that mosts American rallies are based out of small towns that lack the facilities and infrastructure to support the teams. They are an entirely different level. I found that out visiting the irc round in San remo last year where the small privateer teams running the national championship had more support and larger pits than our factory Subaru driver.

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Originally Posted by garais22

Gardemeister: Rally is in my blood, but I want new challenge (some photos from tests)
Lidojošais soms Gardemeisters kļūst par RE Autoclub pilotu (FOTO) - Go4speed

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Or, rally is in my blood but raid is the only thing they pay me novadays :mark:

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Originally Posted by A.F.F.

Or, rally is in my blood but raid is the only thing they pay me novadays :mark:

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Can you blame him? If they are paying him, it's a damn sight better than many in the WRC. I find it sad that both the sons of Blomqvist & Sainz have gone down the path of circuit racing, rather than Rallying, but can you blame them? Simply more opportunities for a career.

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Originally Posted by AndyRAC

Can you blame him? If they are paying him, it's a damn sight better than many in the WRC. I find it sad that both the sons of Blomqvist & Sainz have gone down the path of circuit racing, rather than Rallying, but can you blame them? Simply more opportunities for a career.

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I am sure I remember Sainz Jr saying there would be too much pressure on him to be as succesful as his father in rallying, something which certainly isn't guaranteed by any means. And thats the reason why he is racing rather than rallying. But yes you are right, there are waaay more opportunities in circuit racing with F1's 12 teams and WRC's 2. (excluding Mini of course!)

Both Janne Tuohino and Kristian Sohlberg have had something going on for a while now... Maybe some news soon.

Sohlberg has been giving hints here and there at least since NORF last year. Lately he's been concentrating on Twitter and today (Thursday) there should be something happening Twitter