WRC mainclass from 2027

**Franky** · Today, 07:27

Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

So Raid is in and Rally is out.

Just out of interest. How known raid actually is? I have never followed it myself, so know the obvious Dakar and Baja. Also that there's one event in Turkey and one that used to run Western Siberia/Kazakhstan/Mongolia area or sth like that. But the only media coverage you'd get in Estonia would be of Dakar.

**deephouse** · Today, 10:12

Even that non-sense with those SUV's will end someday. Right now, brands are following that, because it's forced popular variation of a car, but we all know it's practicaly only because SUV's can be selled for way more for the same amount of production costs. And the rally raid have status of world championship, it's cheap and there is a Dakar, probably one of the most recognizable race in the world. If you look at each brand, almost all do have one, maybe two ''regural cars'' and 17 SUV's in their palette And even those two are somehow raised very high, look strange and offer very little for very big chunk of money. Brands are just following stupid agenda.

**Kenneth** · Today, 12:38

Or, maybe, brands are selling SUV or SUV crossovers because people buys them? What tf even mean "agenda" in this case?

Also brands like Dakar not only because it's a way to show their SUVs and pickups, but also because it's very easy to enter. They can choose any powertrain they want - electric, ICE, hybrid, fuel cells, whatever they want, not just 1.6 i4/3. It doesn't matter if they have eligible base model as the cars are built on spafeframe. And not just for brands, everyone can build car in their garage, put any badge they want and go to Dakar.

And viewers don't care that they are space frame, well almost nobody knows that. They don't care that the cars looks totally different than Hilux/Raptor/Amarok/whatever looks completely different. They don't care that Dacia runs prototype that looks like nothing in anything in their line and uses engine from Nissan GT-R.

And maybe that's where rallying should take inspiration from.

**WRCStan** · Today, 17:10

Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1

I spoke to a member of the Chinese media that attended Saudi... Chinese manufacturers are no longer interested in the WRC. Hybrid? ICE? What are the promoters trying to show/portray? Given that is last years news... but also what will the de-spec'd WRC class of now turning into a Rally2 offer?

The Chinese are more interested in Rally Raid. To show off their technology, be Hybrid or Electric but also how strong their cars; mechanical parts (suspension, drivetrain, engines etc).

So Raid is in and Rally is out.

Sad but true. What does the WRC offer the Chinese?

Who when where are the Chinese marques who were interested in WRC, and those now competing in Rally Raid?

What does WRC offer anyone.

**deephouse** · Today, 17:47

It was published some time ago that there is interest from there. But the last thing we got was that Lynk&Co will go rallying.. Probably meant Rally Raid and not rallying.

**Kenneth** · Today, 19:19

We'll see. But yeah, I'm afraid Chinese manus won't be very interested in rallying until there will be more freedom in powertrain choice.

Altrough Lynk&Co and MG have TCR cars, so maaybe we can see them in rallying.