Thought that with all the announcements we'll might as well have a thread for it, so for starters, here's what we have so far, courtesy of dirtfish: https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/what-...lendar-so-far/
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Thought that with all the announcements we'll might as well have a thread for it, so for starters, here's what we have so far, courtesy of dirtfish: https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/what-...lendar-so-far/
Weird that no mention of Estonia for 2025 in dirtfish article.
It was announced like in november that its on the calendar for 25.
it was, by Mr.Aava himself but since that its been really quiet, so im not that sure actually if it will be in the calendarQuote:
Originally Posted by Tauri_J
Well they did mention Latvia was for this year only:"Latvia is in a near-identical situation to Poland: it has also been elevated from the ERC after a long stint at continental level, where it was known as Rally Liepāja, and was announced as an addition to the WRC calendar only for 2024. But that’s as far as its WRC stay is locked in for as it stands." so it's only reasonable Estonia will comeback in 2025.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tauri_J
Well its like 1 and half years away and before that they have ERC. So no need for major announcements/advertising etc before 24' edition is concludedQuote:
Originally Posted by EstWRC
I just realized the Central European Rally hasn't got a contract for next year, does this mean we'll get to see Rallye Deutschland back in the calendar? or do they not have the funds to run it by themselves like they did for 17 years?
I guess no. Is there any positive news or optimism about Germany is general?Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
I follow news about calendar rather regularly and didn't see anything about potential of Rally Deutschland coming back. If Central Europe will lose spot in calendar, Ireland seems to be most realistic replacement.Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
Funny how only asphalt events are always hanging on thread. But when it comes to random european gravel events, it's not a problem at all. I think that China should be on calendar as soon as possible. Their rising in automotive industry could be crucial. Or Malaysia (that could bring interest of maybe Proton). No they are rather focusing on USA (americans doesn't really care about this sport) and Saudi. Stupid money.
Maybe you're not paying enough attention to the rallying scene in the US. Similar things were said about F1 20 years ago, now they can't get enough of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
What's special about this? You can find bigger and better entry lists in tiny European countries. The typical American rally entry list is usually dominated by old Imprezas from the 90's.Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/8...ft-rally-2024/
Show me the Chinese entry lists then we'll have the conversation.Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
I wasn't the one who proposed China, but here you go. Looks marginally better and definitely bigger I'd say. And this is their second rally after 2 or 3 years of stoppage because of covid.Quote:
Originally Posted by WRCStan
https://www.ewrc-results.com/entries...-longyou-2023/
If you overlook the national/regional thing you can add another 23 to the Snodrift numbers = 43, versus 57 on snow in WRC Sweden, it's not bad. 100 Acre wood last week was 58. Olympus and Oregon get 70 odd, which is more likely comparable in stature to that FIA APRC round, which BTW, is also full of 90s cars.Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
But this is a pointless numberwang game. Safari this weekend proves you don't need a packed local entry list to get the WRC there. USA has a team organising an event and is talking with the promotor and FIA. That's what matters. Grassroots motorsport such as sprints are popular there, no point comparing it with Europe, and it's a popular WRC subscriber market. You cannot say nobody is interested in rally there - base point.
I don't know about the Chinese scene, but I will bet though that Chinese manufacturers would want an electric series for the global stage, but by the time that happens the tariffs and trade (cold) wars will have killed any slim chance.
Wales lost spot similar way to Corsica and Deutschland and Poland/Latvia/Estonia are cannibalizing each other.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
I don't think having local WRC rally will significantly spike up interest in both China and USA. Even in F1 Netflix series was bigger difference maker than race in Austin itself. It makes more sense for me to build interest in Mexico or Argentina than trying to be noticed in crowded US sports market. There were also few attempts to conquer China and it always failed.
Does France still run an event in Corsica? And I’m aware Wales have the new asphalt rally but is the event from 2019 dead at this point? Deutschland’s rallye is as good as dead as well? But each have their reasons for not being run at this point in time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Backa
China might be a dead end, but a rally in the US, I hope we’ll get to see, and then we’ll have better understanding of it’s impact on american rallying and interest in the WRC in the states.
The Rally GB event doesn’t run anymore. The was always other events using the forests at different times anyway.
I'm sorry for being that honest, but entries etc are not key factor for hosting a WRC event. The 1 Million euros WRC calendar fee does. All the rest is just chit-chat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Backa
As for the USA event, let's keep in mind Americans wants "extreme" and epic events. I can see it would work very well and if Ford will keep being involved (hopefully more extensively than it is now) that would work brilliantly.
Everyone knows that. But that won't stop us from talking about how Saudi Arabia, a country with no rallies, doesn't deserve a spot on the calendar. Otherwise one just smiles and accepts silently anything they shovel at this sport.Quote:
Originally Posted by typhoon
Was the WRC Olympus Rally in the 80's extreme and epic? Is any of their national event even on par with random European national rallies? Hell, even their beloved NASCAR is the most boring motorsport I can think of and the opposite of what I would imagine when hearing "extreme" and "epic".Quote:
Originally Posted by typhoon
I agree through tv, but I wouldn't say that stood here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bldWv4fbnaYQuote:
Originally Posted by focus206
Depends what you're looking for. For people thirsty for wheel-to-wheel action and seeing as much event as possible when attending live, rally would be one of most boring motorsports to follow.Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
You can't compare how a WRC rally was organized and arranged in the 80s and today. Look at Australia with the "jumps arena" in Bannister North, or the "purposely-built" Monte Lerno. In the USA they'll do a great job on this side, other than being super entertaining all around (service, fan areas, etc).Quote:
Originally Posted by focus206
At NASCAR events you can play all day and never get bored, they worked hard on making interesting also on TV in recent years, with real-time distance, animations, etc.
It's gonna be held hopefully in 2026 and by then they'll be able to put up an epic spectacle.
I'd pay good money for a superspecial in Atlanta Mercedes stadium...
Guys what about that idea. It's only thought, so no need to kill me instantly. What about if there were linked ralies. I mean, two on same continents or at least logisticaly most close. Way shorter, close on dates, maybe two week separation. Paraguay+Argentina, USA+Mexico, Finland+Sweden, New Zealand+Japan, Kenya+Saudi Arabia, Croatia+Italy and so on... That way they could include one or two more on calendar since there is so much interest of joining but not enough places.
In theory ok, but if the events are really close in time and location -> surely they will eat from each other a bit?
Atleast that is what few Estonians said in 22 Secto Rally. That they think rally Estonia suffers from being so close to Finland. People will choose either.
If rally Estonia would be completely different characterics of Finland, they would have plenty of visit. Why then Sweden and Finland don't clash being so close to each other? Or Spain (when there was on calendar) with Portugal, Italy with Croatia. They simply don't bring something different to the viewers. Finland will never be replaced, it's the mecca for rallying.Quote:
Originally Posted by masa90
Yeah but Sweden is in February and Finland in august.
Similar approach exists to some extent, Poland-Latvia-Finland this year, Sardegna-Cyprus-Greece-Turkey in 2000s. It's good for teams logistics, but for hosts having another WRC rally two weeks earlier or later hurts their attendance and profitability. I guess for Finns, Estonians, Latvians and Poles it can be okayish due to solid rally fanbases there but in other places in the world it could be too costly for organizers to accept.Quote:
Originally Posted by deephouse
Anyway, I doubt there is any interests to grow calendar to more than 14 spots. Maybe if there will be some unexpected popularity boom, then we will see it but for now, even 14 rounds calendar can't materialize despite some attempts in last decade.
14 rounds is asking for trouble. The sport can't sustain it; with only 2.5 Manufacturer teams in the top class even 12 is the absolute limit. The WEC doesn't have that many rounds, and they've got plenty of manufacturer teams.
Teams are in WEC for Le Mans, not for WEC.
That’s why WEC can’t sustain more rounds. Few people care about the other rounds.
Maybe Spa…..
WEC has different characteristics, they want lower classes teams to be present on all rounds while WRC is fine with WRC2 drivers usually take part in only 7 rounds.
WRC survived even seasons like 2009-2011 and 2021 with 12-13 rounds so 14 doesn't seem unsustainable. It also depends how many rounds will be European, travelling outside Europe increase costs.
The nice thing about those seasons (2009-2011) was we got some new/old rallies back, and I am glad we got some new events in 2021, but I really do hope that for the sake of variety we'll get new/old events back next year (excluding Saudi Arabia, no offense, although I'm sure as a rally it would be a challenge).Quote:
Originally Posted by Backa
You're a newcomer on here - and pretty clueless. 14 rounds currently is unsustainable.......Those in charge of the WRC are deluded thinking that many rounds can work with so few world teams.Quote:
Originally Posted by Backa
"WRC Promoter had been working towards a 14-event schedule for 2024, but event director Simon Larkin has cited the need to bring more Rally1 cars into the championship as the reason for sticking with 13.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
“Our plan is to stay with 13, and the reason to stay with 13 is that we believe it’s in the best interest of the championship that we, together with the manufacturers, are taking the best steps to increase the number of cars in the P1 (Priority 1 – manufacturer drivers) field,” Larkin told DirtFish."
So 14 could be doable, especially if 14th round would be in Europe but they consider 13 better for now.
Those in charge of WRC put ~13 round calendar for decades and sustain it even after 2008 crisis so calling 12 "absolute limit" and comparisions to much different WEC series are actually clueless.
doubt. in f1 you have 34 cities fighting for a place on the 23 race calendar for 2025-26-27. is the same in wrc, with countries "fighting to join the calendar" or is it more like in rallycross, where they were going to dubai, south africa, hong kong because the traditional places were not seeing the value (and ticket sell) in the sport anymore? i understand paraguay may join because argentina will not have government money anymore. chile is also low on cash. not sure why estonia left wrc but i imagine is because of not having enough $ too. what is the situation in wrc? more like f1 (event promoters see value) or rallycross (event promoters dont see value so the series goes after saudi/chinese money)?
Him being new to the forum has nothing to do with the topic.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
https://rallyjournal.com/wrc-project...s-running-out/
To no surprise to anyone.
Motorsport Ireland statement released today confirming that Ireland is no longer being considered to host a round of the FIA World Rally Championship in 2025. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by Eli
Basically not enough time for the economic assessment to be done in order to provide the funding. :(
https://www.motorsportireland.com/Pu...Statement.aspx
Public money for motorsport is a hard sell in some countries.......I've already seen the predictable comments from angry fans; however, do they know how much the hosting fee is? I'd guess they don't......
They’re probably the same ones that believe the insanely high economic impact claims…. and blaming the government for wanting a long time to check it all in much more detail.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Same people that have no clue about politics then complain about politicians.
15 million for the 3 years is what was requiredQuote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC