2016 BRC (British Rally Championship)

[Jack4688`]

I watched the first half of it on 4OD last night and the final straw was that 'character' Elfyn Evans running into shot and going "aghhhhhh" as he pretended to tackle Colin Clark and got into his car..... Pathetic.

It wasn't bad up until Jon Desbollock's first appearance - he said something completely unremarkable then added on "as if that wasn't enough........ they've got to tackle the first two stages..................... in the dark". I actually sat there at my computer saying "as if WHAT wasn't enough?"

I suppose that shithead is a good fit for BRC's current media strategy: over-hype. over-hype, then over-hype some more

[AndyRAC]

You mention 'over hype' yet it's not having a huge effect. Apart from dedicated rally forums, most motorsport forums have had very little comment/ interest in the BRC. Even Autocar/ Evo, etc haven't mentioned it. The promoters surely have tried to get them interested?

As as its the first year of a 'new era', you can let them off. But, next year you'd hope the events are more media savvy.

[Simmi]

I watched the first half of it on 4OD last night and the final straw was that 'character' Elfyn Evans running into shot and going "aghhhhhh" as he pretended to tackle Colin Clark and got into his car..... Pathetic.

Wow maybe lighten up just a touch Jack - you'll feel better.




I think for the BRC in year one the biggest group of people they needed to target were the competitors themselves. Without entrants they weren't going to have a championship. I guess it was a case of 'build it and they will come' when the series returned. That doesn't always work out but thankfully it has.

Some over-hyping is fair criticism but credit where it's due they've done a good job on social media to drum up interest and get that momentum moving. But let's not kid ourselves, they were pushing on an open door when it came to speaking to already converted rally fans - desperate for the BRC to return to former glory.

Like Andy said you've then got that wider promotion which I think they should really concentrate on in year two. Although it is concerning that, if publications don't see this rejuvenated series as a worthy story now, what's to say they will next year?

Rallies need more investment and better promotion long-term. A lot of things look nice on the surface but need strengthening behind the scenes. It's a good start most definitely but I think there's some big steps to take before the BRC will truly be a force again.

[Munkvy]

I don't get why the BRC have so far made nothing of their You Tube channel... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzM...Pb2VJTaicvdAVQ Why are there no onboards on there at least? Even the dying old dog that was the old BRC put highlights up on their YT channel.

They may well have given up the right to broadcast their own championship though in whatever deal they've done with BT and C4. Very short sighted if so.

It is very disappointing if you are on the other side of the world and have no other way of seeing how it went. I have been re-watching a lot of the 90's footage from the BRC which was simple and not actually bad most of the time, so was hoping to find stuff on this year, but so far all I have found is the few local channels that have put up highlights.

I have just found the Dmack channel, so will go have a look at that after work.

[Jack4688`]

Luckily for us the NZRC youtube channel has all the broadcasts from each rally uploaded, though with quite a big delay. Is it still shown on regional/national TV like it was 10 or so years ago?

[MrJan]

I don't get why the BRC have so far made nothing of their You Tube channel... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzM...Pb2VJTaicvdAVQ Why are there no onboards on there at least? Even the dying old dog that was the old BRC put highlights up on their YT channel.

They may well have given up the right to broadcast their own championship though in whatever deal they've done with BT and C4. Very short sighted if so.

Like you say, they might have given up the full rights in order to get TV coverage. Why not write to them and ask though? It's worth asking the question as it may be that they simply haven't appreciated the demand for online...although they seem keen to promote other videos on their FB page.

[Jack4688`]

Wow maybe lighten up just a touch Jack - you'll feel better.

I think having a virus over the weekend made me more irritable Still, contrived joviality gets on my tits. Just needs a sensible, stable and knowledgeable commentator like Richard Nichols or Mark James.

I think for the BRC in year one the biggest group of people they needed to target were the competitors themselves. Without entrants they weren't going to have a championship. I guess it was a case of 'build it and they will come' when the series returned. That doesn't always work out but thankfully it has.

Some over-hyping is fair criticism but credit where it's due they've done a good job on social media to drum up interest and get that momentum moving. But let's not kid ourselves, they were pushing on an open door when it came to speaking to already converted rally fans - desperate for the BRC to return to former glory.

Like Andy said you've then got that wider promotion which I think they should really concentrate on in year two. Although it is concerning that, if publications don't see this rejuvenated series as a worthy story now, what's to say they will next year?

Rallies need more investment and better promotion long-term. A lot of things look nice on the surface but need strengthening behind the scenes. It's a good start most definitely but I think there's some big steps to take before the BRC will truly be a force again.

All good points, they've done well with what they've got and considering everyone (competitors mainly) isn't flush with cash these days.

I've got bored of using twitter and cancelled my subscription to Motorsport News because I can get all the news I read in there from this forum. When you choose not to immerse yourself in all the media you can appreciate the BRC for what it is. So maybe if I were the casual motorsports fan that media push they had in the months leading up to the start of the season would have caught my interest in the BRC.

If only the TV coverage was on at a more sociable hour, the casual viewer would have a chance at becoming a dedicated viewer. Maybe even that is too much to expect from year one?

[John Williams]

Like you say, they might have given up the full rights in order to get TV coverage. Why not write to them and ask though? It's worth asking the question as it may be that they simply haven't appreciated the demand for online...although they seem keen to promote other videos on their FB page.

All teams and independent media were asked to hold back their in-car and stage footage until after the UK TV broadcasts. This request was well observed and, only now, is this footage starting to appear.

[Munkvy]

Luckily for us the NZRC youtube channel has all the broadcasts from each rally uploaded, though with quite a big delay. Is it still shown on regional/national TV like it was 10 or so years ago?

Sure do, it's broadcast on TV3 generally within a couple of weeks of it occurring. But that is sadly about the most exposure it gets in NZ, I haven't seen much of it on the news.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Even Autocar/ Evo, etc haven't mentioned it. The promoters surely have tried to get them interested?

I dont read these but they are the most popular magazines for 'petrolheads' ... if the BRC doesnt even appear here then the masses will never get to know about it.