British & Irish Rally calendars 2023

[HKSjbg]

I agree - particularly when the leading contenders are running on different stages at the same time.
A well edited summary at the end of each leg that tells the story of who gained/lost time where, when and why appeals much more to me.
The old BBC reports on the Lombard RAC Rally are hard to beat. A good mix of in-car and external shots with crew interviews where there was time to ask sensible questions and wait for sensible answers really told the story as it was developing. The current obsession of everything needing to be live just doesn't work for me.

Mark James-era of WRC coverage and Steve Rider-era coverage of the BRC were always a good watch too. It’s very hard to pinpoint exactly what is was they did so well though!

[Fast Eddie WRC]

I agree - particularly when the leading contenders are running on different stages at the same time.
A well edited summary at the end of each leg that tells the story of who gained/lost time where, when and why appeals much more to me.
The old BBC reports on the Lombard RAC Rally are hard to beat. A good mix of in-car and external shots with crew interviews where there was time to ask sensible questions and wait for sensible answers really told the story as it was developing. The current obsession of everything needing to be live just doesn't work for me.

Of course the way it was done in the old days always seems better, but that's because it was !

But seriously, going back to just watching end of day summaries when you know everything is reported/shown live, takes some real determination nowadays.

And remember when they showed a live tv stage from the RAC Rally how amazing it was...

[AndyRAC]

A high quality highlights show is a must; and while I'm in a minority in 2023 you do need some live coverage, providing it's done well.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

A high quality highlights show is a must; and while I'm in a minority in 2023 you do need some live coverage, providing it's done well.

Sad thing is that the BRC isn't doing either. But that's mainly due to the product, which now has no real excitement or story of a rally or Championship battle.

[the sniper]

Mark James-era of WRC coverage and Steve Rider-era coverage of the BRC were always a good watch too. It’s very hard to pinpoint exactly what is was they did so well though!

The slickest BRC coverage in recent years was 2016, hidden on Elfyn Evans' own You Tube channel, voiced (and produced?) by Mark James... If only they were longer with more onboards and covered everyone else. https://www.youtube.com/@elfynevans2124/videos

[AndyRAC]

The slickest BRC coverage in recent years was 2016, hidden on Elfyn Evans' own You Tube channel, voiced (and produced?) by Mark James... If only they were longer with more onboards and covered everyone else. https://www.youtube.com/@elfynevans2124/videos

I recall BBC Wales doing their own highlights coverage of RallyGB for a few years around 2009-10; it was far better than the official WRC product.

[Sal yet again]

Problem is whoever is behind the media/social media side of things for the BRC at present doesnt appear to think there is any need for such things. Basically unless its sound bites referring to "whips" and the like then its hard to see what their strategy is, maybe with so few registered competitors then there is no money for "proper" coverage? Looking at the Trackrod provisional entry the BRC field currently comprises of 9 confirmed entries and one reserve. Fourmaux isnt amongst those entries at present..

[Destra quattro]

Problem is whoever is behind the media/social media side of things for the BRC at present doesnt appear to think there is any need for such things. Basically unless its sound bites referring to "whips" and the like then its hard to see what their strategy is, maybe with so few registered competitors then there is no money for "proper" coverage? Looking at the Trackrod provisional entry the BRC field currently comprises of 9 confirmed entries and one reserve. Fourmaux isnt amongst those entries at present..

Only 5 starting this weekend..but hey it will be a new name on the winners list joining the greats of the past ..so all will be positive...

[Sal yet again]

Shame to read that Paul Bird BSB boss and former top national rally driver has passed away. Controversial character at times but a quick man none the less.

[HKSjbg]

I was just reading that story on motorsport.com. Mad how many BSB titles have won, I knew he ran one of the top teams, didn’t realise they were that good.

He was one of the last guys still driving a Focus WRC in this country IIRC