WRC2 / WRC3 News & Rumours 2022

[WRCStan]

I agree that the way that it is the WRC2 and WRC3 are a bit anticlimactic and some system to force direct competition would be better. Also doing some WRC2 or WRC3 only rounds (i mean beside the main WRC of course) so they can each get more coverage would be good. The counterarguments i got once were about costs and allowing drivers to drive their preferred or home events with the current system, while if you force it you could mess that up for them.

I would propose something like this: you can choose 4 of the first 8 rounds, then there are 3 fixed rounds that everyone has to do. In the first part of the season you would have indirect competition like now but it would build up some interest and give more people a chance to win rallies. Then in the final 3 rounds you are guarenteed direct competition and you see who is the best in a direct fight.

Sporting reasons aside, the extra rounds won't happen. Chances of finding a WRC quality event that will want to host them are zero. Promoter would have no interest in giving them coverage, there's only two serious teams. They're either championships worthy of their own promotional charge or they'll remain the bolt on cups they currently are that no serious commercial decision or business case can be made on.

[seb_sh]

Sporting reasons aside, the extra rounds won't happen. Chances of finding a WRC quality event that will want to host them are zero. Promoter would have no interest in giving them coverage, there's only two serious teams. They're either championships worthy of their own promotional charge or they'll remain the bolt on cups they currently are that no serious commercial decision or business case can be made on.

Perhaps i was not clear, I'm not a native speaker. I meant rallies from the WRC calendar where only WRC2 or 3 participates together with the main WRC as opposed to all rallies are WRC, WRC2 and WRC3 together. So for example Ypres would be WRC and WRC3 and then Spain would be WRC and WRC2. That way there's potentially more screen time for the one supporting category on certain rallies.

[AnttiL]

Perhaps i was not clear, I'm not a native speaker. I meant rallies from the WRC calendar where only WRC2 or 3 participates together with the main WRC as opposed to all rallies are WRC, WRC2 and WRC3 together. So for example Ypres would be WRC and WRC3 and then Spain would be WRC and WRC2. That way there's potentially more screen time for the one supporting category on certain rallies.

I have been saying this for years

[Eli]

Perhaps i was not clear, I'm not a native speaker. I meant rallies from the WRC calendar where only WRC2 or 3 participates together with the main WRC as opposed to all rallies are WRC, WRC2 and WRC3 together. So for example Ypres would be WRC and WRC3 and then Spain would be WRC and WRC2. That way there's potentially more screen time for the one supporting category on certain rallies.

So like they did back when they had P-WRC & J-WRC ( & S-WRC I think) back in 2007(ish).

[Fast Eddie WRC]

New Chris Ingram interview - good for those who dont know his background and what he's been through. Also his future plans and ambition:

https://youtu.be/k2Rslwn09qA

After saying here that he hasnt had a crash for 5 years (and couldnt afford to), Ingram has gone off twice in Greece. Talk about tempting fate...


But he did it in style !

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=779914349921805

[lmmjvss]

Fully agree, and a lot of the NZ entrants wouldn't be doing any other round yet are in it because it comes free with entering the rally. Class doesn't make a championship.

Structurally, and also considering "WRC Rally1" wants to go more ex-Europe, I'd go further and draw WRC2 and ERC into one FIA title. AFAIK, WRC is the only world championship with tiers of world champions, not even Formula 2 is one. "FIA Rally2 Championship" is worth exploring. Start it in Europe and perhaps expand to rounds in ME and Africa in future if successful. Give the calendars independence to flex on demand and maybe even deviate if it works. Makes sense at least if it is idealistic, and there's a lot more issues at heart.

Hmmm now THATS interesting mate! Tho MotoGP has this "Moto2" and "Moto3" structure, which seems to work just fine. But they are all required to run the full season. Rallying is different because of the budgets

[mknight]

I don't know if there was some technical problem for Rossel before rolling, but without a technical problem it looks like he even topped Mikkelsens mistake.

With the roll he now completely lost all chances for title. It seems he saved tires for PS push, which was a bit hopeless since he had to open the road.

Katjo needs 34 points from 2 starts (or 3 - scratching 10 points from Estonia). So for example 2nd and 3rd with some PS points.

Lindholm also has a chance but would need at worst 2nd with full PS points in Catalunya (since Toksport doesn't go overseas), sounds unlikely.

[mousti]

Lindholm driver outside the WRC with TGS, maybe there is a slight chance he does Japan?

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[Danny0405]

In WRC-2, the current standings for the title:
1) Mikkelsen (109 points, 7 rounds, worst: 0; best possible: 109)
2) Lindholm (89 points, 5 rounds; best possible: 117)
4) Kajto (76 points, 4 rounds, worst: 10)

Rossel 3rd but cannot win the title anymore, even mathematically so it’s a Skoda battle now. I don’t even know if Citroen will send him in Catalunya with no more title hopes (think Camilli has better win probabilities for example)

If no issue for him, we can imagine that Kajto will finish at least 2nd in NZ and Japan (only Paddon should be able to match him in NZ in terms of speed and let’s see Japan entry list but there should be, in the best-case scenario, only one other WRC-2 big entry IMO as I assume Lindholm won’t be there). Also a question mark if he will do Catalunya to improve his Estonia worst result.
Well, Kajto has clearly the upper hand because if he does two 21-point rallies in NZ and Japan (2nd overall + PS win where the overall winner will probably not push) or globally 42 points in these 2 rallyes, he will win the title whatever is Lindholm result, even a 28-point win, in Catalunya (which is possible considering what he did last year there).
I think it would need a miracle for Mikkelsen to retain the title and the track is narrow for Lindholm who will have also to manage the Junior title in Catalunya (where being steady would be enough) so it’s something like Kajto 85% Lindholm 10% Mikkelsen 5% now.

But as Sainz learnt in 1998, it is never finished before the end and a mechanical failure or a silly mistake is always possible.

[Danny0405]

Lindholm driver outside the WRC with TGS, maybe there is a slight chance he does Japan?

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I’m quite skeptical they can organize and fund it in so few time (as before Suninen’s DSQ in Finland and Lindholm’s win here, the latter’s title hopes were really low) without the help of Skoda brand.

And as Rossel is now out of contention mathematically, I don’t see Skoda brand making any move in the title fight now.
Paradoxically, Lindholm’s best hope would be to be hired by Hyundai or M-Sport; but as he is a Skoda test driver this season, not sure he has the possibility to make that type of move.