[WRC] News & Rumours (part V) 2017

[Watson]

I've got a feeling that they are dreaming or in the fantasy land again. John has multiple times ridiculed the idea of a WRC event in the States. Another thing is that studs aren't allowed in North America. So it would be a studless winter rally.

They are thinking about Chile, North-America, Kenya, NZ, South Korea, China, Japan, India, Turkey and Russia.

NZ, Japan and Turkey had pretty healthy entry lists last time they were part of WRC. But how much potential do the other events have?

Aren't most of the new and 'old-new' supposed places gravel rallys? I like the idea of introducing another winter rally but I think there are too few aspalt events aready. Japan would have some twisty tarmac mountain places in store, but the last time it was held it was a gravel rally as well. Also I'd like to see the round of Italy going back to San Remo instead of Sardegna.

I would like Kenya back as I was really disappointed when they took this challenging event out of the calendar. I do have a feeling that if it returns it might be a bit too polished compared to when it was last held.

So here you have my opinion which is probably just adding to the confusion. Sorry for that. I'd be in favour of having more rallys but not at the expense of the length of the single events. But where do you get the money from? I guess there hope is that a more global calendar would attract a bigger number of sponsors and fan attention. It's anyone's guess if the maths on it are going to work out.