Rally Discussion and Bar Talk Thread

**flat_right** · 22nd April 2026, 10:32

Originally Posted by PLuto

Boullier is of course only "head" of the main investor. And I am afraid it will be only an investment and all current people will stay on their positions. So I am afraid there will not be so much changes...

I wouldn’t be so pessimistic. I think the bigger issue than the “current people” has been the lack of decision making, which is directly tied to the promoter and how they view the series. If they can’t make clear decisions, then the people working on the series can’t do much to improve it either. And I’ve always liked Boullier. For me he has seemed a analytically minded, ambitious and goal oriented person. And as it's an investment, there need to be some changes with plans how to improve the series and generate revenue.

**EstWRC** · 22nd April 2026, 11:01

Originally Posted by PLuto

Boullier is of course only "head" of the main investor. And I am afraid it will be only an investment and all current people will stay on their positions. So I am afraid there will not be so much changes...

this!!!!

they need a whole new blank sheet

**rallyfiend** · 22nd April 2026, 12:56

Originally Posted by Doon

It was interesting hearing the comments of current and former drivers in the Diftfish video about the how the next promoter can improve the WRC.

One of the comments which i keep hearing is the need to create a buzz about the drivers and personalities. This is a deep rooted issue, and i believe the demise of the WRC has coincided with two major issues which are intertwined. Cost at the top, and the lack of local / specialist drivers.

The cost issue is apparently being fixed. If it were my choice, I'd make an immediate shift to Rally 2 cars.

The local hero element may partially be remedied by cost reduction too. However, i feel that there's an even more obvious reason why we have less local drivers competing on their home events. They simply aren't fast enough anymore. I believe this is owing to the advantage they have lost from local knowledge and national events allowing them to practice the stages more often than WRC regulars. They can of course still apply their local knowledge, but this has all but been neutralised by WRC regulars analysing hours of in-car footage. I have no idea how this can be remedied, but the days of local heroes are gone which is sad for the fans, and ultimately means less entries.

You can't market drivers that are unmarketable.....

**rallyfiend** · 22nd April 2026, 13:02

Originally Posted by EstWRC

this!!!!

they need a whole new blank sheet

Liberty didn't come in and immediately replace everyone from 'Bernie's' company at F1. They did it more by growing the number of people involved for a start.

It's no different any acquisition. They will learn the business and gradually replace people as they feel necessary. This is the way business's work.

**EstWRC** · 22nd April 2026, 13:55

Originally Posted by rallyfiend

Liberty didn't come in and immediately replace everyone from 'Bernie's' company at F1. They did it more by growing the number of people involved for a start.

It's no different any acquisition. They will learn the business and gradually replace people as they feel necessary. This is the way business's work.

Cmon man I didn’t mean they would fire everyone everywhere at once

**WRCStan** · 22nd April 2026, 15:34

Originally Posted by flat_right

I think the bigger issue than the “current people” has been the lack of decision making, which is directly tied to the promoter and how they view the series.

What's an example decision they didn't make? Not following you here.

**flat_right** · 23rd April 2026, 08:10

Originally Posted by WRCStan

What's an example decision they didn't make? Not following you here.

For example we haven't seen the final version of 2027 regs. Monte is about 270 days away.

**WRCStan** · 23rd April 2026, 15:32

Originally Posted by flat_right

For example we haven't seen the final version of 2027 regs. Monte is about 270 days away.

Not on the promoter to decide, write or publish. Best they can do is propose ideas.

**WRCStan** · 23rd April 2026, 15:52

Originally Posted by typhoon

I know this topic is mainly focused on the technical part of WRC27 category, but since the discussion expanded to teams and where/how the WRC should go with the new Promoter, I'd like to paste a comment I really liked in the comment section of the Dirtfish article, which IMHO would be great to introduce people and all those "Average Joe" that doesn't have a really clue about rallying.

What do you think about this idea? I think it would be very refreshing for the sport, even though I would add some money prizes, like it was years ago the Golden Stage Rally in Cyprus (IRC era) to spice things up even more.

Too many spices, solves no problem and won't mean a thing for average joes. The same idea was mooted by VW's boss when they arrived.

It's also odd and asks why push or bother for the first few days if you're not into constructor points.

**WRCStan** · Today, 18:35

How a Ford Kuga shows where WRC and motorsport is going wrong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DkHFw1_p3qw

I think Jon's on the path to seeing why WRC27 is both necessary and inevitable. But not sure why he thinks the WRC and motorsport is going wrong? Maybe the title should be How a Ford Kuga shows why WRC and motorsport is going wrong.