[WRC] News & rumours (part III)

[Barreis]

It wouldn't be that bad if Loeb didn't win 9 titles in the row. Now it's needed time that sport can become interesting to the large crowd again. Also Eurosport would be much better choice but better offer means more money, so that's it.

[RAS007]

It wouldn't be that bad if Loeb didn't win 9 titles in the row. Now it's needed time that sport can become interesting to the large crowd again.

Couldn't agree more. After Gronholm retired, Loeb basically sleepwalked his way to 5 titles in a row, with practically no competition. Apart from anything else, that is just a total bore.

[giù tutto!]

Well, I can't see how Formula 1, Rally Cross, Drag Racing, NASCAR, WRC or national level rallying meets the terms of modern standard ecology and fuel efficiency at the moment. It’s a hypocrite to think that we’re doing green motorsport, which will attract plenty of people.
The highest level of the sport have to be the best on every area; drivers, cars, rallies. No compromises.

And it’s not Loeb's fault if the others are so bad. It’s just a result of the existing system. The last decent resistor was Marcus Gronholm who had skills, balls and charisma. The battles between them were epic.

[wrc1600]

And it’s not Loeb's fault if the others are so bad. It’s just a result of the existing system. The last decent resistor was Marcus Gronholm who had skills, balls and charisma. The battles between them were epic.

Well said.

[OldF]

I listened to Colin Clark’s interview of Jost Capito (http://www.wrc.com/en/wrc/media/podc...114--80--.html) and first I must say that Jost has to improve his math skills. 100 s difference over 300 km is not 1/10 of a second but 3/10 of a second. The shootout would be of course exiting but for me it’s still the traditional solution.

David Richard would concentrate on internet but I don’t see the difference between internet or traditional TV channels if the material is there. I can watch a program traditionally from TV or via internet when it’s broadcasted. The difference is that If I can’t watch a program when it’s live, I can watch it later via internet. Of course internet would give the opportunity to add some specials for hard core fans without steeling the time from TV channels prime time.

[MJW]

I thought the report in today's 28/5/14 issue of Motorsport News quoting Yves Matton about WRC was interesting. Basicallyatton aays costs in WRC are out of control, and FIA should ensure that at the next generation (2017) cars that FIA must not let what happened in S1600 and S2000 when ceiling costs went out of contol. He quoted things like special lightweight glass etc. I got the impression thst Yves wants R5 to be the wrc class. What I also found interesting was that Yves wants to halve costs of the rallies themselves. Yves suggests a Thursday morning shakedown, thursday evening ceremonial start and msybe a few stages. Long friday and saturdsy, and if there has to br stages on a sunday limit this to 40kms. Yves says this will be a big saving on hotel costs for teams and coupled with cheaper cars could make the investment required attractive for more manufactureres. I agree with him.

[Mirek]

They can start with not bringing a whole town with them...

In the future they can also use stock fuel. If it's from single supplier there is no need to be afraid of uncertain quality. Stock fuel with bigger restrictor makes no change of car appearance.

[AndyRAC]

Costs - as always is the biggest issue. Well keep to a sensible budget regarding cars....and spend less on 'other things' - but we all know that will not happen. It's a World Championship - it is going to cost. However, it has to give value for money - and a return on investment.

As for the routes - they have to be different; a WRC event has to be an 'EVENT'...it has to be special. 40km on a Sunday is almost a waste of time.

[rallyfun]

I didn't expect that hotel costs these days are the biggest problem for teams.

[MJW]

I didn't expect that hotel costs these days are the biggest problem for teams.

I am not saying that hotel cost is the biggest problem but consider its €200 per room per night, based on a team on 80 staff, say 10 on single room status, with 30 twin rooms, include the pre event test and recce, WRC rallies are 10 days long for the professionals. Do the maths.