[WRC] News & Rumours 2021

[the sniper]

What a shame. The ‘RAC Rally’ used to be a major event on the sporting calendar. Even normal people were aware it was happening and there was good coverage on the BBC. What went so wrong?

Seems rather fitting that it went down on David Richards watch...

[Andre Oliveira]

Juho Hänninen in Yaris WRC at Arctic

Number 69 now free (Kalle?)

[pantealex]

Juho Hänninen in Yaris WRC at Arctic

Number 69 now free (Kalle?)

I hope it´s Kalle also but last time Juho did drive Yaris it was #69

[Rallyper]

UK rally on decline.

Also Rally Sweden company is questionable moneywise. News from yesterday says the Swedish Automobil Association (SBF) board i split about making Svenska Rallyt AB in bankrupcy.

There are two sides fighting... Let´s see what to come. (sorry for my bad english)

[dimviii]

Why Suninen’s co-driver is leaving for team management

A "sad" Jarmo Lehtinen explains his exit from M-Sport for a new role at Toyota

https://dirtfish.com/rally/wrc/why-s...am-management/

[cali]

UK rally on decline.

Also Rally Sweden company is questionable moneywise. News from yesterday says the Swedish Automobil Association (SBF) board i split about making Svenska Rallyt AB in bankrupcy.

There are two sides fighting... Let´s see what to come. (sorry for my bad english)

Ooh so this thing doesn't only happen on developing countries like Estonia like we had last year but also in Sweden. Can you share more of this?

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[EstWRC]

this silence about new calendar or any news about first two rounds makes me nervous

[abcrally]

this silence about new calendar or any news about first two rounds makes me nervous

My money are on that WRC season starts in Rovaniemi at the end of February.

[Whinlatter]

What a shame. The ‘RAC Rally’ used to be a major event on the sporting calendar. Even normal people were aware it was happening and there was good coverage on the BBC. What went so wrong?

Money, basically. The cost of running a WRC round is high and Motorsport UK cannot attract a sponsor who is prepared to pay enough money to cover the costs. Wales government reduced the amount they were willing to pay and MSUK felt it wasn't enough. In Covid times with the economy under pressure it seems that no one feels this is a good use of money, despite the economic benefits that hosting an event can bring to the area. Media coverage is low because football dominates the sporting landscape far more than it used to in the 1990s. F1 and to a lesser extent rugby, golf and cricket have good coverage but everything else is marginalised. Even with Elfyn being in with a chance of the title last year there was limited coverage because there just isn't enough mainstream interest.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

We have the best private and recently-winning team in rallying (M-Sport).

In 2020 a British driver was fighting for the WDC (Elfyn Evans).

And we had the 2019 ERC Champion (Chris Ingram).

All were giving the sport the best publicity and yet MSUK could do nothing to boost the image and sponsorship.