[WRC] News & Rumours 2019

[AnttiL]

Basically last three rounds could all be on tarmac or at least all tarmac rallies (except Monte) are on the last half of the season. It would be interesting for the championship because there would be no road sweeping issues.

[SubaruNorway]

Japan was not very well attended in the past, why are they so desperate to have low attended events that probably half as many watch online as the last one?

[Rallyper]

Would be too much tarmac to be WRC, in my world...

[Tauri_J]

Really?

Motorsport is very popular in Japan.

[AnttiL]

Japan was not very well attended in the past, why are they so desperate to have low attended events that probably half as many watch online as the last one?

Marketing wise Japan is an important region. It also has a lot of car manufacturers.

[AnttiL]

Would be too much tarmac to be WRC, in my world...

Right now we have Monte (snow/tarmac), Corsica, Germany and Spain (gravel/tarmac). Two full tarmac rallies and two half tarmac rallies. In the future we would have Monte (snow/tarmac), Japan and Spain (now without gravel stages). Still too much tarmac?

[SubaruNorway]

Within the first 15min of this one I've maybe seen one fan that looks like he's been hired in as well.
A few at a junction and some in the SSS but looks like a ghost rally when you watch it back now.
At 14min
https://youtu.be/liRjisEUp_g

[rallyfiend]

Within the first 15min of this one I've maybe seen one fan that looks like he's been hired in as well.
A few at a junction and some in the SSS but looks like a ghost rally when you watch it back now.
At 14min
https://youtu.be/liRjisEUp_g

You need to understand the Japanese culture... They don't just go an stand in the middle of a stage. That would be naughty. They go only to the designated spectator locations.

I was lucky enough to go one year to Obihiro, and I can assure you the whole city was right behind the event. One of the best ceremonial starts I've ever been to. Amazing crowds.

And don't forget, this time it will be on the main island, just a couple of hours from Tokyo...

[T16]

Japan was not very well attended in the past, why are they so desperate to have low attended events that probably half as many watch online as the last one?

You have probably hit the nail on the head within your question.... they aren’t bothered about people spectating on the events, they want online and TV ratings. This is what brings the dollars in.
Having the last round attracting a large online audience puts the promotors in a good position for generating higher profile sponsors going forward.
It’s shit, but that’s how it is.

[mknight]

Afaik on previous rally Japan quite a lot of stages were even officially closed to the public. Also as mentioned it was far away from any population centers.