WRC mainclass from 2027

[WRCStan]

I in general wonder what manufacturers get out of motorsport in detail, but since some series are very active in this regard, there must be a ROI somewhere to be had.

One of two things: brand recall and associated emotions from the audience, or selling cars into the sport.

The values associated with WRC aren't in tune with where EU/western politicians and regs are. Which is partly why there are no EU brands doing Rally1.

And as there is nothing in common with the needs of special stage rallying and western regs on what a road passenger car should be, have and do... there's no justification for this link with manufacturers anymore which is why it is, and should be, decoupling.

Funnily enough Liberty have turned the image of F1 around from being a boys club with grid girls to an inclusive sport and it has worked to attract manufacturers. Maybe if, IF, rally cars did look nothing like road passenger cars and some other magical stuff happened around the WRC image, then it could work to attract manufacturers.

[Ferranis]

One of two things: brand recall and associated emotions from the audience, or selling cars into the sport.

The values associated with WRC aren't in tune with where EU/western politicians and regs are. Which is partly why there are no EU brands doing Rally1.

And as there is nothing in common with the needs of special stage rallying and western regs on what a road passenger car should be, have and do... there's no justification for this link with manufacturers anymore which is why it is, and should be, decoupling.

Funnily enough Liberty have turned the image of F1 around from being a boys club with grid girls to an inclusive sport and it has worked to attract manufacturers. Maybe if, IF, rally cars did look nothing like road passenger cars and some other magical stuff happened around the WRC image, then it could work to attract manufacturers.

Thank you and this really is a conundrum.

Maybe it would help for WRC to go the "safety" route then for road relevance. Where else is a better place to develop all those electronic helpers like ABS than on public roads in race speed

Stupid idea probably though

[WRCStan]

Here

"an international motorsport series dedicated to electric vehicles competing under real road conditions.

The competition features unmodified, road-legal electric vehicles (including prototypes) approved for daily use and homologated for public roads within the EU.

The series encourages manufacturers to push the boundaries of sustainable automotive technology, making it a real-world testing ground for next-generation mobility solutions.

Competitors are not allowed to make any modifications that would impede these cars from their intended daily use.

Participants race on public roads over 300 to 800 kilometres of varied terrain. Checkpoints are set up where teams are evaluated on their time, speed and energy use."



It's the ultimate rally series for makes, it just suffers with entertainment appeal and publicity.

[WRCStan]

Regular readers saying 'here he goes again'. I've been banging this drum since before even the FIA got with the beat.

Should it remain to be manufacturer driven class?
...
please just shut down talk of costs being too high for manufacturer brands. Bored of it. They don't think this way, it's either a necessary marketing strategy or it's not.
...
allow any entrants to enter cars constructed by any constructor
...
new manufacturers aren't coming without either the wider rules, organisation or structure changing. It's not just a formula thing.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Something has alienated Manufacturers from WRC / Rally 1 with no new ones joining since Toyota 10 years ago (and both Volkswagen and Citroen leaving).

But Rally2 has continued to have Manufacturers and new cars built in this same period (Fabia RS, GR Yaris, Lancia Integrale, plus Citroen, Ford and Hyundai still developing their old cars).

What does this tell you ?

[Ferranis]

Yes and no, we have manufacturers building cars, but not manufacturer teams in WRC2 that pay for everything (to my knowledge not many? None?).

The building cars part seems to be profitable, the runnings teams not so much. Last part compounts in Rally1

[deephouse]

It's the combination of many things why manufacturers does make those cars and not run them. More or less they do it at the start when they freshly build the car and then with competing they are boosting sales and when the numbers are right, they don't bother anymore. Also it's the coverage. WRC2 is barely mentioned. If they do run proper marketing and coverage for that category, those brands with not so many budget could easily compete there. Also if there would be like 5-6 brands with official entries, imagine how bad would that be on a image of WRC, since there is only 2 teams and a a half in main category. It could be completely overshadowed. For small brands like Lancia it the perfect to compete there. Also maybe Proton, M-Sport. Skoda could step up, they have unfinished business in the WRC and I think they could do very well. Imagine having battles with Toyota. I clearly see Skoda being on VW level. Hyundai sadly isn't nowhere near and I think it never will be.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Tanak testing the Toyota WRC27 prototype in Finland now...

https://rallyjournal.com/wow-ott-tan...ng-in-finland/