[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

[AnttiL]

The drivers FIA Cup was an international rally competition with the highest value. It was not called "world rally championship" but it was a world rally championship. So they should have considered Alen and Munari as champions in my opinion.

It still doesn't make it a World Championship. Just as WRC2 isn't a world championship. And so weren't FIA Ladies Cup and FIA Group N Cup. But what about Kenneth Eriksson, he's a Group A World Champion from 1986?

However, I agree that Alen should have been invited, even if as the only non-champion.

[Norm75]

It still doesn't make it a World Championship. Just as WRC2 isn't a world championship. And so weren't FIA Ladies Cup and FIA Group N Cup. But what about Kenneth Eriksson, he's a Group A World Champion from 1986?

However, I agree that Alen should have been invited, even if as the only non-champion.

I would argue that the pre 73 drivers cup is a lot more relevant than wrc2 or 86 group a champ, as it was the pre cursor to the wdc and for drivers at the pinnacle of the sport.

[AnttiL]

I would argue that the pre 73 drivers cup is a lot more relevant than wrc2 or 86 group a champ, as it was the pre cursor to the wdc and for drivers at the pinnacle of the sport.

It's pre 1979 cup. Before 1973 there weren't even manufacturer's championships.

Rallying was a different sport back then. It was a competition for the best car. Teams didn't have drivers doing full WRC seasons, instead selecting the best events they could win in and the best specialist drivers for the job. Meanwhile, drivers would participate in other series and/or special events like London-Mexico in addition to doing a few WRC rallies, unlike now where it's rare if a WRC driver does an ERC event for example. No one was concentrating on getting the highest overall points because there was no proper title for it. In that sense, it was a secondary trophy. In fact, although the drivers title started in 1979, it remained in the old way for quite long with usually only 3-4 drivers doing enough WRC events to be considered title contenders. It wasn't until the WRC car era that we started having all teams and all drivers taking part in all events for a proper title fight between 10 drivers.

[BigWorm]

Looks like they've taken the easy way and only included world champions (same goes for their list in F1 - only champions except James Hunt for some reason apparently). Nothing wrong with that, to become champion it takes some serious talent and dedication. But take nothing away from drivers like Alen, Hirvonen and Märtin who all contributed to battles in the championship. FIA could have made the Hall of Fame much more interesting.

[dupanton]

Looks like they've taken the easy way and only included world champions (same goes for their list in F1 - only champions except James Hunt for some reason apparently). Nothing wrong with that, to become champion it takes some serious talent and dedication. But take nothing away from drivers like Alen, Hirvonen and Märtin who all contributed to battles in the championship. FIA could have made the Hall of Fame much more interesting.

Hunt was F1 world champion in 76

[BigWorm]

Hunt was F1 world champion in 76

Yes but he isn't included the list strangely

EDIT: they've included him now

[EstWRC]

i just took a little nap and woke up with great news.

Estonian government will fund Rally Estonia with 1 million euros and this means this years Rally Estonia will be WRC candidate/test event.

[Rallyper]

i just took a little nap and woke up with great news.

Estonian government will fund Rally Estonia with 1 million euros and this means this years Rally Estonia will be WRC candidate/test event.

It wasn´t just a Dream? You kind of dreamt on...?

If it happens Three WRC rallies within car distance…!!

[AnttiL]

With Japan and Kenya set to be added for 2020 and talks of Croatia and Poland again, it will be a tough job for Estonia. Best of luck!

[Norm75]

It's pre 1979 cup. Before 1973 there weren't even manufacturer's championships.

Rallying was a different sport back then. It was a competition for the best car. Teams didn't have drivers doing full WRC seasons, instead selecting the best events they could win in and the best specialist drivers for the job. Meanwhile, drivers would participate in other series and/or special events like London-Mexico in addition to doing a few WRC rallies, unlike now where it's rare if a WRC driver does an ERC event for example. No one was concentrating on getting the highest overall points because there was no proper title for it. In that sense, it was a secondary trophy. In fact, although the drivers title started in 1979, it remained in the old way for quite long with usually only 3-4 drivers doing enough WRC events to be considered title contenders. It wasn't until the WRC car era that we started having all teams and all drivers taking part in all events for a proper title fight between 10 drivers.

Even in wrc car era, it was a good five or so years before there were at least ten drivers doing the full season. Which either devalues the championship titles of the likes of sainz, kankkunen, McRae et al, or makes Alens drivers cup title just as relevant as the world champions that succeeded him.
Depends if your cup is half empty, or half full.