BRC to be two wheel drive only in 2012

[Mirek]

The two-wheel-drive Sunbeam Lotuses, Escorts, Asconas, Mantas, 037s and so on seemed to manage to do so.

Yes, but those were RWD. You don't have modern FIA homologated RWD cars useful on gravel.

[HaCo]

I think and hope that a good competition will automatically bring nice passages, if everybody is pushing, it should be good to watch, also in 2WD.
There is almost no use in having a top class with only 2-3 contenders (like in Belgium). It's fun to watch because it are monsters of cars, but it has much less to do with competition and sport.
That's how I see it.

[urabus-denoS2000]

Fair enough but the concept of 2wd wasn't boring. Certainly they sounded brilliant, especially in the forests. By comparison I think these 4wd N4 cars are seriously boring as they are so quiet and hardly look like they're going quickly. Now along comes a S2000 car that sounds awesome and it looks quicker, meanwhile its setting similar times.

This is true for F2 cars , but name one attractive modern FWD car besides S1600 . Trust me , I have seen ALL of them many times in action and I just can't imagine they would make crowds and collect media and sponsors . Ony cars remotely attractive are the Clio R3 and the very rare Civic R3 ...

[urabus-denoS2000]

I think and hope that a good competition will automatically bring nice passages, if everybody is pushing, it should be good to watch, also in 2WD.
There is almost no use in having a top class with only 2-3 contenders (like in Belgium). It's fun to watch because it are monsters of cars, but it has much less to do with competition and sport.
That's how I see it.

I guarantee you that your championship wouldn't be nearly as developed if Snijers would drive a 207 R3T , Melissa a Megane N4 and Tsjoen a DS3 R3 instead of WRCs...

[Martin Liddle]

The UK have gone in this direction once before, in the 90s or something, where F2 kit cars was top class - and that was not a huge success if I remember correct.

I don't think your memory is correct. It was a successful era with close competition between several works teams. It only ended when one manufacturer lobbied hard for a 4WD formula (becuase they happened to have such a car and it wasn't very competitive at WRC level) and then withdrew from rallying before the next season.

[Bobcat]

I would love WRC cars in the BRC, but in reality I think we should go back to proper group N as what we have now must be nothing like it!

They should be your normal impreza/evo/anything else 4wd, toughened up for rallying and that is all! That way the drivers gain experience and costs would surely be reduced.

+1

[Bruce D]

This is true for F2 cars , but name one attractive modern FWD car besides S1600 . Trust me , I have seen ALL of them many times in action and I just can't imagine they would make crowds and collect media and sponsors . Ony cars remotely attractive are the Clio R3 and the very rare Civic R3 ...

Very good point, and I hardly think a S1600 car is very spectacular either to be honest. And unfortunately the likelihood is that they will be 1600cc machines not 2000cc machines cos thats the general way manufacturers are going. Actually a 1600cc turbo FWD machine could be interesting but controlling the wheelspin from the torque could be a major issue. Which would mean fancy diffs and traction control, and there goes the cost already.

[BDunnell]

Very good point, and I hardly think a S1600 car is very spectacular either to be honest. And unfortunately the likelihood is that they will be 1600cc machines not 2000cc machines cos thats the general way manufacturers are going. Actually a 1600cc turbo FWD machine could be interesting but controlling the wheelspin from the torque could be a major issue. Which would mean fancy diffs and traction control, and there goes the cost already.

And therein lies the problem — and why the course the British championship is taking is probably by far the most sensible one open to it, given the complete financial inaccessibility of WRC cars to teams running in national championships. Jean Todt has performed very well so far at the FIA, and I very much hope he carries on in this manner — not least by addressing this important topic. National championships need to be able to run top-line equipment.

[Daniel]

Well I remember the Formula 2 years been very good, although they got too expensive with the kit cars. Maybe it's not a bad move.

I think for this reason alone it's something that at least needs to be tried and who knows, it may work very well.

[Spud]

Im just seeing this update in my email and I ask myself what kind of lunacy is this??? What is modern rallying without at least 4WD?? I know the proponents of this new system will say that the costs will be severely reduced but are they really??? The fact is folks, that motorsport at BRC level or any other 'high' level is bound to be expensive. Racing costs money. When the championship reverts to 2WD in 2012 manufacturers and teams will spend the maximum their budgets allow in order to capitalise on the rules. Lets face it folks, the 'big' teams are almost always going to win because they command greater resources.....if you havent got alot of money, then you havent got enough. Simple. I think its a bad idea, could someone explain this utter rubbish to me????