Quote Originally Posted by tommeke_B View Post
Maybe we must question, what's wrong with rallying not being the most popular sport, and not most covered in newspaper? Also, could events (especially WRC ones) still handle much more spectators and keep it safe at the same time? Remember what happened in the 80s when rallying became too popular... Times have changed but I think the same still applies.
Sorry, but I think this is a ridiculous statement. Rallying exists solely because of spectator interest. On the one hand because the sport is heavily financed by sponsors and on the other hand because city councils only allow permits for rallies because of the public interest. I do not think many rallies would continue if spectators were banned.

Anyway I think rallying as a sport is too complex to be appealing to the general public. Rallying has a relatively small but very dedicated audience, there aren't so many sport disciplines that make so many people travel to see it live (be it inside a country or around the world).
It is a big mistake to think the 'general public' is stupid. They can understand rallying perfectly well, it is not that complicated after all. It is not about knowing about it, it is about caring about it. For example, I know of the existence of Volleyball, I know the basic rules, I know it is very popular, but I simply do not care about it so I won't follow it. Ultimately it is the promotors job to get people to start caring about rallying.