So, the FIA has just released the press package for the '09 season. Here's the changes:
In terms of broadcasting the coverage will be expanded to a 1-hr highlight show from its usual 30-min show.
Tire cutting is now permitted once more.
On each day the start of each stage will be done by the championship leader and work itself down.
Volkswagen will be joining with the WRC-spec Golf.
Hyundai will be returning with a WRC-spec Elantra.
Honda will be joining for the first time by following Suzuki's example and entering a WRC-Spec Honda Civic.
Toyota will be returning to the WRC in a WRC-Spec *sigh* Scion xA
In a surprising move, Lotus will be entering about 4 rallys in the WRC calendar with a wrc-spec Lotus Europa for evaluation purposes.
Mitsubishi will be returning with a Evo XI
Nissan will be joining with a Versa.
BMW will also be entering a few rallys in order to gauge the performance of a performance spec 1-series hatch.
Full Version: 2009 WRC Changes
Lawl @ Scion.
So WRC is now the new "it" thing after the Nurburgring lap times ?
Don't knock it.
More competition always equals more fun for us, the spectators.
More competition always equals more fun for us, the spectators.
I was kinda thinking it was looking a lot like the WTCC, what with every car, save a handful being a Focus (seems from the WTCC i have watched its a shit load of BMWs and Vectras.) this should liven things up a bit.
...this is so out-to-lunch that I don't believe it. Honestly phix, 8 new manufacturers??? Also, the Scion xA doesn't exist anymore and isn't sold outside of North America anyway.
It is sold outside N. America. We got it in the ME, and I know other markets got it with a different name (Ist?). Anyway it's cool that Toyota is at least present now. Also you know Phix made up the part about the Elantra in rallying 
I'm glad the Evo's back.
Lotus in rallying? Sexiest rally car since the Stratos?
I'm glad the Evo's back.Lotus in rallying? Sexiest rally car since the Stratos?
QUOTE(moethepaki @ Aug 12 2008, 05:46 AM) 
Also you know Phix made up the part about the Elantra in rallying
Maybe that isn't all that I've made up?
Figures that there isn't a source. I've heard rumors about the Golf WRC (I'm not much into the sport, so I don't hear much), and the EVO looks likely. I guess everything else would be b/s.
QUOTE(moethepaki @ Aug 12 2008, 04:18 PM)
and the EVO looks likely. I guess everything else would be b/s.
Except that he said it will be an Evo XI.
Why Moe? Why would you do this to us?
You had me excited about the WRC Civic 
I almost bought it...
QUOTE(Dr. Strangelove @ Aug 13 2008, 06:30 AM)
Why Moe? Why would you do this to us?
What did I do, it was...
^ him!
wow that's pretty nice... I can finally watch rallying again.
Here's what's really going to happen. An interesting read if you're a rally fan, if you can't be assed to read it all I've summarised at the bottom.
So in summary:
- A 2 year calendar of 24 events on rotation to produce a 12 event season - sounds like a good idea, we get to see more different rallies, including, Poland, Russia, Bulgaria, Jordan, and the manufacturers have a cheaper season.
- We could see some events spanning less or more than the traditional 3 days (excluding the SS Stage on Thursday evenings).
- As of 2011 all Super 2000 & Group N cars will be built with a WRC-spec kit, which can be attached/removed within 2 hours - spoilers, suspension mods, gearbox mods, turbo chargers for Super 2000, etc. This is to reduce the costs and encourage more entries.
- As part of the new technical regulations a few of the computer aids will be removed - along the same idea of F1.
- They are aiming at €300,000 as the price for a new WRC car. Although they say they can't stop teams spending more money trying to make it faster, the regulations will hopefully be strict enough to stop the people with the most money having the fastest car.
- There are 8 possible manufacturers (including currents) that could feature in the new style WRC, although they're not all going to join at the same time.
All in it sounds quite good, however I still can't see it bringing WRC to the main stage.
QUOTE
PART 1
The World Rally Championship has undergone enormous change since the first drivers' title was awarded back in 1979.
From two-wheel drive, to Group B, then Group A and now WRC, the top flight of rallying has never stayed the same for very long.
And the WRC is going to change again. In 2010 and 2011 the current specification of WRC cars will be phased out in favour of modified Group N and Super 2000 models. The WRC calendar will shrink from 15 to 12 rounds and the number of events will increase to 24.
It's an exciting time for the WRC, but like any period of change it's potentially confusing too.
The governing body of motor sport worldwide, the FIA, is implementing the changes, many of which were suggested by the FIA's WRC think tank, the World Rally Championship Commission.
Here, in an exclusive two part interview for wrc.com, Morrie Chandler, President of the World Rally Championship Commission, answers our questions on the future direction of the WRC.
Part two deals with technical changes to the cars which will contest the series, but for part one the focus is on the WRC rallies themselves:
Can you explain the job of the World Rally Championship Commission, who is in it, and what it aims to do?
The Commission is effectively responsible for steering the WRC, growing the sport and ensuring its continued success. It's made up of nine people, six of whom are chairmen of relevant FIA working groups. These groups provide expertise in matters like technical regulations, promotion and safety, and also represent the views of manufacturers and rally organisers. A representative of the sport's commercial rights holder, ISC, also sits on the Commission, as does the President of the FIA Rallies Commission, which is responsible for the other rallying series - like the FIA's regional championships. Decisions of the Commission ultimately come down to votes. But to be honest we don't use this method much in the early stages of discussion because we try to find a solution that everyone agrees with.
This year there are 15 rallies in the world rally championship, next year there will be 12. Why the reduction?
This idea came about in 2007 when FIA President Max Mosley and Deputy President Marco Piccinini visited the Acropolis Rally and met with the WRC manufacturer teams. Teams had been pushing for a reduction for some time. They had been saying that 16 events was too hard and too expensive. The end result was that the World Motorsport Council decided to drop the number of rallies to 12 from 2009 and to allow new events to come in on a rotational basis.
How is the new system going to work?
We considered a number of different rotation systems but what we've ended up with is a two year calendar and a total of 24 rallies. Every event will be run once every two years.
Have you found 24 WRC rallies yet?
Yes we have. There are 24 events filling up the approved 2009 and 2010 calendars. Some of them have never been in the WRC before and they're going through an observation process this year and next. We have a permanent FIA delegate appointed to work with the organisers of those events to help them understand exactly what's expected of them. The fact is a WRC rally is not like a national event or even a Regional Championship event; there's a huge step up to WRC level - huge in financial investment, huge in effort and huge in many other ways.
Are you concerned that some of the 2009 rallies might not make the grade?
All of the events in the 2009 calendar have either been in the WRC before or have already been officially observed by the FIA. Perhaps they didn't quite make the grade when they were first observed, so we're working with them a second time. For example, Poland is in next year. It was observed in 2007 and found to be deficient in some small areas that they're absolutely confident they'll have corrected this year. So they're being observed again and unless they make a foul up the event will run in 2009. If for some reason an event which has been put in to 2009 doesn't pass the observation for a serious reason then we'll review our decision.
What about those in 2010?
The draft 2010 calendar has been approved by the World Motor Sport Council and includes three new events. This year we'll be observing candidate rallies in Poland and Cyprus for 2009 and Bulgaria, Indonesia and Russia for 2010. After they run again in 2009 we expect them to be well up to the WRC mark and we'll be comfortable about them being part of the WRC in 2010.
Will any rallies feature every year?
This is still being discussed. We've put it to one side because it is very difficult to choose which of the six or eight rallies which are seen as the backbone of the WRC we should keep year after year. Some of the events are pristine in all respects and it would be good for the WRC to have them in every year, but equally there are two or three which are very, very good events but which haven't been around for quite so long. If it becomes apparent during 2009 or 2010 that the rotation system isn't working the way we planned, then we have alternative plans in place which we can go back to. A mix of permanent and rotating events, or maybe a slightly larger calendar are just two of the options.
What about the central service park? Some rallies would prefer more remote services
I believe the 12 rally calendar will give us the opportunity to relax some of the regulations in this area. The way we're going technically - the move to reduce the complexity of the cars, make them more reliable and reduce the opportunities for servicing - should lead to greater reliability and give the organisers the opportunity to take their events a little further afield. That's entirely up to the organiser of the event; some countries love the central service park, it works very well for them, and there's no reason at all to go out and about. Other countries find the central service park doesn't work for them, it doesn't let the event get to different parts of the county and they would like to do things differently.
Could some rallies become endurance events?
We've still got to run the events in a standardised manner because the teams need to know that no matter where the event the rules and the basic framework are consistent. The distance will have to remain about the same because a manufacturer or a team developing a car at the start of the season has to know the length the events is, say, 400km.
Will a WRC rally always run for three days?
Not necessarily. We had a four day Monte Carlo Rally this year for reasons which suited its promotion and personally I don't have a big problem with that. As long as there's plenty of notice and it works, it's not as issue. I know one event that says it can run quite successfully in two days. If that's possible - if it gives them the promotion they're looking for and gives us the competitive distance and the WRC exposure - then I don't see anybody being disadvantaged. If we can give that flexibility to the organisers without dramatically affecting the costs for the teams, then I can't see many negatives.
PART 2
The FIA's new technical regulations for the World Rally Car of the future are almost complete.
The new breed of WRC car will be based on the current Super 2000 and Group N models. Starting from this base, a homologated performance kit will be purchased and fitted to upgrade the car to WRC specification. The next generation of World Rally Car will be permitted to compete in the WRC from 2009 and will be able to score points in the series from 2010. From 2011, all World Rally Cars will be built this way.
WRC cars built to the current specification are not destined for the scrap heap just yet. They can contest the 2008 and 2009 seasons as they are. But in 2010 they will be modified so they can compete on level performance terms with the next generation. In 2011 the older de-tuned cars will still be allowed to compete on WRC events, but only in the hands of privateers.
In the second part of an exclusive interview for wrc.com Morrie Chandler, President of the FIA's World Rally Championship Commission, explains how the rules will change the cars at the top of the sport.
Why have you brought in the new regulations?
It's all about growing the sport and a desire to see more manufacturer participation. We brought the regulations in because in 2006 top end WRC cars were costing close to a million Euros each to build and a considerable amount more to maintain. Of course this figure drops once the initial research and development costs have been paid. But anybody wanting to join the WRC and start from scratch would need well over one million Euros - that's over the top and a huge barrier for new teams and manufacturers.
The cost of competing at WRC level was beyond the means of privateer teams too. There's nothing to prevent anybody sitting down with a particular brand of car and deciding to contest the WRC. What we're saying is we've got to make it affordable. The object of the exercise is to widen as much as we can the opportunities for people to contest the WRC at the top end.
How will the next generation of WRC cars differ from the current Super 2000 or Group N cars?
The current Super 2000 or Group N car will effectively be fitted with a kit to unlock its performance. The specification for the kit is still being worked on but as a guideline we've said to the technical people it's got to be something that can be put on or taken off in two hours. We don't want a kit which requires a complete engine rebuild to fit; we believe a time limit is the best way to ensure that the kit will remain simple. What they'll come back with I'm not totally sure; some suspension components, probably some gearbox modifications, certainly a new spoiler at the rear - and of course a turbocharger for the Super 2000 car. We want the cars to look different too - so they are a step apart from Group N or Super 2000. If we get it right, then it will be possible for a car to be sold on at the end of the WRC season and used in another class of rallying. If the new owner decides to take it into the Regional Championship he just takes off the WRC kit and he's got a car to do it with.
Will the new cars be as quick as the current ones?
We would hope so, yes. A lot of people would say no because if you look at the Group N car they're not that spectacular, but I think also if you put a modified Group N or Super 2000 car in the hands of the top WRC drivers they've got that added skill, that extra ability and it's not going to be long before they're up at the same sort of level as the current WRC cars.
Will they be as spectacular to watch?
We're working to ensure the new cars are exciting to watch. Whether we like it or not, the right amount of exhaust noise is popular with spectators and even though a car going sideways isn't the fastest way through a stage it certainly looks good. So we'll be addressing these and other areas. We're not copying Formula 1 but you've only got to look at what's happened there this season; traction control is removed and all of a sudden the drivers have got to actually drive the cars. I hope we'll see the same thing with the new WRC car. The new technical regulations will mean a lot of the electronic components and driver aids will disappear.
Will the new cars still be known as World Rally Cars?
Yes they will. Again using circuit racing as example; a Formula 1 car of today is not the Formula 1 car of 20 years ago, but it's had the same name the whole time.
How much will a new WRC car cost?
Our target is 300,000 Euros including the kit and ready to roll. The difficulty is that some people will be tempted to drive their completed car straight to a specialist engine builder or competition team and they'll spend another 200,000 Euros fettling the thing. It probably won't go any faster but they'll feel good about it. Now we'll never stop people spending money - that's a fact of life - but our objective is to ensure the person who spends the extra money doesn't have a car that's any more competitive than the other guys. We want to keep it equal so money isn't what determines the winner.
How many manufacturers would you like in the WRC?
If we could see six then that would be great. If we could see eight that would be even better.
Which manufacturers do you think are ready to join the WRC?
I've heard a number of names. I can't tell you any at this stage, but if I was to write down the name of every manufacturer I have heard is waiting to join then we'd have eight. I don't believe for one moment that this is instantaneously going to happen, but what it does tell me is that there are a number of manufacturers watching what we're doing. There's a good level of interest there. And that in itself is a good start.
Which base car do you think will prove more popular - the Super 2000 or the Group N?
I think that depends on their mass production model. If you look at the Japanese manufacturers, they will probably be more enthusiastic about Group N because it fits closely with what they mass produce. If you look at the European companies like Peugeot; they've gone Super 2000. Fiat have gone down the Super 2000 route too, so I think it depends on the car that comes off the production line and what can they do to it. The close resemblance of the rally car to the one that comes off the assembly line is the main reason we've done what we have. We're saying perform on Sunday, buy on Monday. The car that's competing needs to be identifiable with the one in the showroom.
WRC: What about two-wheel drive?
We looked at two-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive but there are only about two major manufactures in the world doing rear wheel drive cars anymore. Which would mean developing specials for the WRC that don't reflect the market and aren't generally on sale. So unless they're prepared to do it purely to promote their company name there's no benefit.
The World Rally Championship has undergone enormous change since the first drivers' title was awarded back in 1979.
From two-wheel drive, to Group B, then Group A and now WRC, the top flight of rallying has never stayed the same for very long.
And the WRC is going to change again. In 2010 and 2011 the current specification of WRC cars will be phased out in favour of modified Group N and Super 2000 models. The WRC calendar will shrink from 15 to 12 rounds and the number of events will increase to 24.
It's an exciting time for the WRC, but like any period of change it's potentially confusing too.
The governing body of motor sport worldwide, the FIA, is implementing the changes, many of which were suggested by the FIA's WRC think tank, the World Rally Championship Commission.
Here, in an exclusive two part interview for wrc.com, Morrie Chandler, President of the World Rally Championship Commission, answers our questions on the future direction of the WRC.
Part two deals with technical changes to the cars which will contest the series, but for part one the focus is on the WRC rallies themselves:
Can you explain the job of the World Rally Championship Commission, who is in it, and what it aims to do?
The Commission is effectively responsible for steering the WRC, growing the sport and ensuring its continued success. It's made up of nine people, six of whom are chairmen of relevant FIA working groups. These groups provide expertise in matters like technical regulations, promotion and safety, and also represent the views of manufacturers and rally organisers. A representative of the sport's commercial rights holder, ISC, also sits on the Commission, as does the President of the FIA Rallies Commission, which is responsible for the other rallying series - like the FIA's regional championships. Decisions of the Commission ultimately come down to votes. But to be honest we don't use this method much in the early stages of discussion because we try to find a solution that everyone agrees with.
This year there are 15 rallies in the world rally championship, next year there will be 12. Why the reduction?
This idea came about in 2007 when FIA President Max Mosley and Deputy President Marco Piccinini visited the Acropolis Rally and met with the WRC manufacturer teams. Teams had been pushing for a reduction for some time. They had been saying that 16 events was too hard and too expensive. The end result was that the World Motorsport Council decided to drop the number of rallies to 12 from 2009 and to allow new events to come in on a rotational basis.
How is the new system going to work?
We considered a number of different rotation systems but what we've ended up with is a two year calendar and a total of 24 rallies. Every event will be run once every two years.
Have you found 24 WRC rallies yet?
Yes we have. There are 24 events filling up the approved 2009 and 2010 calendars. Some of them have never been in the WRC before and they're going through an observation process this year and next. We have a permanent FIA delegate appointed to work with the organisers of those events to help them understand exactly what's expected of them. The fact is a WRC rally is not like a national event or even a Regional Championship event; there's a huge step up to WRC level - huge in financial investment, huge in effort and huge in many other ways.
Are you concerned that some of the 2009 rallies might not make the grade?
All of the events in the 2009 calendar have either been in the WRC before or have already been officially observed by the FIA. Perhaps they didn't quite make the grade when they were first observed, so we're working with them a second time. For example, Poland is in next year. It was observed in 2007 and found to be deficient in some small areas that they're absolutely confident they'll have corrected this year. So they're being observed again and unless they make a foul up the event will run in 2009. If for some reason an event which has been put in to 2009 doesn't pass the observation for a serious reason then we'll review our decision.
What about those in 2010?
The draft 2010 calendar has been approved by the World Motor Sport Council and includes three new events. This year we'll be observing candidate rallies in Poland and Cyprus for 2009 and Bulgaria, Indonesia and Russia for 2010. After they run again in 2009 we expect them to be well up to the WRC mark and we'll be comfortable about them being part of the WRC in 2010.
Will any rallies feature every year?
This is still being discussed. We've put it to one side because it is very difficult to choose which of the six or eight rallies which are seen as the backbone of the WRC we should keep year after year. Some of the events are pristine in all respects and it would be good for the WRC to have them in every year, but equally there are two or three which are very, very good events but which haven't been around for quite so long. If it becomes apparent during 2009 or 2010 that the rotation system isn't working the way we planned, then we have alternative plans in place which we can go back to. A mix of permanent and rotating events, or maybe a slightly larger calendar are just two of the options.
What about the central service park? Some rallies would prefer more remote services
I believe the 12 rally calendar will give us the opportunity to relax some of the regulations in this area. The way we're going technically - the move to reduce the complexity of the cars, make them more reliable and reduce the opportunities for servicing - should lead to greater reliability and give the organisers the opportunity to take their events a little further afield. That's entirely up to the organiser of the event; some countries love the central service park, it works very well for them, and there's no reason at all to go out and about. Other countries find the central service park doesn't work for them, it doesn't let the event get to different parts of the county and they would like to do things differently.
Could some rallies become endurance events?
We've still got to run the events in a standardised manner because the teams need to know that no matter where the event the rules and the basic framework are consistent. The distance will have to remain about the same because a manufacturer or a team developing a car at the start of the season has to know the length the events is, say, 400km.
Will a WRC rally always run for three days?
Not necessarily. We had a four day Monte Carlo Rally this year for reasons which suited its promotion and personally I don't have a big problem with that. As long as there's plenty of notice and it works, it's not as issue. I know one event that says it can run quite successfully in two days. If that's possible - if it gives them the promotion they're looking for and gives us the competitive distance and the WRC exposure - then I don't see anybody being disadvantaged. If we can give that flexibility to the organisers without dramatically affecting the costs for the teams, then I can't see many negatives.
PART 2
The FIA's new technical regulations for the World Rally Car of the future are almost complete.
The new breed of WRC car will be based on the current Super 2000 and Group N models. Starting from this base, a homologated performance kit will be purchased and fitted to upgrade the car to WRC specification. The next generation of World Rally Car will be permitted to compete in the WRC from 2009 and will be able to score points in the series from 2010. From 2011, all World Rally Cars will be built this way.
WRC cars built to the current specification are not destined for the scrap heap just yet. They can contest the 2008 and 2009 seasons as they are. But in 2010 they will be modified so they can compete on level performance terms with the next generation. In 2011 the older de-tuned cars will still be allowed to compete on WRC events, but only in the hands of privateers.
In the second part of an exclusive interview for wrc.com Morrie Chandler, President of the FIA's World Rally Championship Commission, explains how the rules will change the cars at the top of the sport.
Why have you brought in the new regulations?
It's all about growing the sport and a desire to see more manufacturer participation. We brought the regulations in because in 2006 top end WRC cars were costing close to a million Euros each to build and a considerable amount more to maintain. Of course this figure drops once the initial research and development costs have been paid. But anybody wanting to join the WRC and start from scratch would need well over one million Euros - that's over the top and a huge barrier for new teams and manufacturers.
The cost of competing at WRC level was beyond the means of privateer teams too. There's nothing to prevent anybody sitting down with a particular brand of car and deciding to contest the WRC. What we're saying is we've got to make it affordable. The object of the exercise is to widen as much as we can the opportunities for people to contest the WRC at the top end.
How will the next generation of WRC cars differ from the current Super 2000 or Group N cars?
The current Super 2000 or Group N car will effectively be fitted with a kit to unlock its performance. The specification for the kit is still being worked on but as a guideline we've said to the technical people it's got to be something that can be put on or taken off in two hours. We don't want a kit which requires a complete engine rebuild to fit; we believe a time limit is the best way to ensure that the kit will remain simple. What they'll come back with I'm not totally sure; some suspension components, probably some gearbox modifications, certainly a new spoiler at the rear - and of course a turbocharger for the Super 2000 car. We want the cars to look different too - so they are a step apart from Group N or Super 2000. If we get it right, then it will be possible for a car to be sold on at the end of the WRC season and used in another class of rallying. If the new owner decides to take it into the Regional Championship he just takes off the WRC kit and he's got a car to do it with.
Will the new cars be as quick as the current ones?
We would hope so, yes. A lot of people would say no because if you look at the Group N car they're not that spectacular, but I think also if you put a modified Group N or Super 2000 car in the hands of the top WRC drivers they've got that added skill, that extra ability and it's not going to be long before they're up at the same sort of level as the current WRC cars.
Will they be as spectacular to watch?
We're working to ensure the new cars are exciting to watch. Whether we like it or not, the right amount of exhaust noise is popular with spectators and even though a car going sideways isn't the fastest way through a stage it certainly looks good. So we'll be addressing these and other areas. We're not copying Formula 1 but you've only got to look at what's happened there this season; traction control is removed and all of a sudden the drivers have got to actually drive the cars. I hope we'll see the same thing with the new WRC car. The new technical regulations will mean a lot of the electronic components and driver aids will disappear.
Will the new cars still be known as World Rally Cars?
Yes they will. Again using circuit racing as example; a Formula 1 car of today is not the Formula 1 car of 20 years ago, but it's had the same name the whole time.
How much will a new WRC car cost?
Our target is 300,000 Euros including the kit and ready to roll. The difficulty is that some people will be tempted to drive their completed car straight to a specialist engine builder or competition team and they'll spend another 200,000 Euros fettling the thing. It probably won't go any faster but they'll feel good about it. Now we'll never stop people spending money - that's a fact of life - but our objective is to ensure the person who spends the extra money doesn't have a car that's any more competitive than the other guys. We want to keep it equal so money isn't what determines the winner.
How many manufacturers would you like in the WRC?
If we could see six then that would be great. If we could see eight that would be even better.
Which manufacturers do you think are ready to join the WRC?
I've heard a number of names. I can't tell you any at this stage, but if I was to write down the name of every manufacturer I have heard is waiting to join then we'd have eight. I don't believe for one moment that this is instantaneously going to happen, but what it does tell me is that there are a number of manufacturers watching what we're doing. There's a good level of interest there. And that in itself is a good start.
Which base car do you think will prove more popular - the Super 2000 or the Group N?
I think that depends on their mass production model. If you look at the Japanese manufacturers, they will probably be more enthusiastic about Group N because it fits closely with what they mass produce. If you look at the European companies like Peugeot; they've gone Super 2000. Fiat have gone down the Super 2000 route too, so I think it depends on the car that comes off the production line and what can they do to it. The close resemblance of the rally car to the one that comes off the assembly line is the main reason we've done what we have. We're saying perform on Sunday, buy on Monday. The car that's competing needs to be identifiable with the one in the showroom.
WRC: What about two-wheel drive?
We looked at two-wheel drive and rear-wheel drive but there are only about two major manufactures in the world doing rear wheel drive cars anymore. Which would mean developing specials for the WRC that don't reflect the market and aren't generally on sale. So unless they're prepared to do it purely to promote their company name there's no benefit.
So in summary:
- A 2 year calendar of 24 events on rotation to produce a 12 event season - sounds like a good idea, we get to see more different rallies, including, Poland, Russia, Bulgaria, Jordan, and the manufacturers have a cheaper season.
- We could see some events spanning less or more than the traditional 3 days (excluding the SS Stage on Thursday evenings).
- As of 2011 all Super 2000 & Group N cars will be built with a WRC-spec kit, which can be attached/removed within 2 hours - spoilers, suspension mods, gearbox mods, turbo chargers for Super 2000, etc. This is to reduce the costs and encourage more entries.
- As part of the new technical regulations a few of the computer aids will be removed - along the same idea of F1.
- They are aiming at €300,000 as the price for a new WRC car. Although they say they can't stop teams spending more money trying to make it faster, the regulations will hopefully be strict enough to stop the people with the most money having the fastest car.
- There are 8 possible manufacturers (including currents) that could feature in the new style WRC, although they're not all going to join at the same time.
All in it sounds quite good, however I still can't see it bringing WRC to the main stage.
One thing I'd like to see them address is better exposure. The WRC is arguably second to F1 as the biggest motorsport series in the world, but it's a very very distant second. It has all the ingredients to fascinate a wider audience but they're not very good at getting themselves out there IMO.
The rest of these changes sound smart, though.
The rest of these changes sound smart, though.
They may already have this...I don't know. But while I was watching the other day I thought to my self that the individualistic format of the stages would play well to webcasting. Like on board cameras from each car broadcasting each leg of each stage. Fuck...even broadcast the (excuse the use of the wrong term) pit garage.
Actually, Bjorn, WRC.com offers such a service, lol. It's WRC+ and it's a premium service so it's pay.
The problem is that because the audience is much smaller than other motorsport, F1, MotoGP etc. that the big channels don't see the point in bidding to broadcast it. For example WRC used to be on ITV1 in the UK, which is a main terrestrial channel (traditionally channel 3). Because they broadcast it at an odd time on Sunday the viewing figures were probably poor and so they dropped it to ITV4 (a digital only channel) and this season they dropped it altogether and Dave broadcasts it instead (actually the presenter Neil Cole fucks me off, he always says it's exclusive to Dave, which is bullshit because it's been on British Eurosport for all 3 days for years)!
IMO rally has gotten to stagnant. They need to issue a really unique engineering challenge to manufacturers that yields a much more exciting car. Honestly I don't think a hybrid electric boost would be bad on a WRC car. I would much rather see WRC being the testbed for this technology over F1. That I think, along with increased power would increase interest in the sport.
Wasn't that what Gruppe B was all about? The most technologically advanced cars the manufacturers could make...I don't know much about it, but I understand there is a video called "Too Fast to Race" which explains the shortcomings.
Personally I don't know how to reinvigorate rallying...maybe new and more challenging stages...maybe they need to mandate that the co-driver must speak a different language than the driver...
I would love to see a WRC event in Canada...but I doubt that would od much to help matters as far as international interest is concerned.
Personally I don't know how to reinvigorate rallying...maybe new and more challenging stages...maybe they need to mandate that the co-driver must speak a different language than the driver...
I would love to see a WRC event in Canada...but I doubt that would od much to help matters as far as international interest is concerned.
Get some pretty women to race with the boys. Instant success. That and bring back Group B.
Group B's never coming back, too fast and dangerous. Besides, the point is to LOWER the cost of admission, not RAISE it. Bring back Group B and you're going to lose manufacturers.
There needs to be more female racing drivers...and no, Danica Patrick doesn't count. Michele Mouton counted damnit.
There needs to be more female racing drivers...and no, Danica Patrick doesn't count. Michele Mouton counted damnit.
QUOTE(clarkma5 @ Aug 14 2008, 05:03 PM)
Group B's never coming back, too fast and dangerous. Besides, the point is to LOWER the cost of admission, not RAISE it. Bring back Group B and you're going to lose manufacturers.
GrpS would have been the way to go, but FISA was in a panic at the time of the GrpB tragedies and banned that classification of cars as well. Too bad really, its nothing for a manufacturers to produce 20-odd cars for a spec series. GrpS would have been great, exotic bodies and engines limited to 300bhp with improved safety standards. Rallying lacks the exotica that it used too. Nobody loves rallying more than I do, but seeing cars that I see in a mall parking lot in Oklahoma isnt the same as the ones I would see in say.....Dubai.
Really, even after 20 years or more, dont they look alot sexier than the somber sedans and hatchbacks now?
Lancia ECV2
Lancia ECV1
QUOTE
Technical specification Lancia ECV1
EngineCentrally mounted, longitudinal with 4 cyl inline. 1795CC. Bore x stroke, 88.5mm x 71.5mm Triflux' double reverse flow cylinder head with 4 valves/cylinder and twin overhead camshafts. Compression ratio, 7.5:1. 600bhp @ 8000rpm.. 55mKg@5000rpm. Twin KKK (K26 type) turbochargers with individual intercoolers. Weber/Magnetti Marelli injection/ignition with electronically controlled turbocharging level. Dry sump lubrication with pressure and extraction pumps and air/oil radiators.
TransmissionFour-wheel drive. Epicyclic train torque converter with viscous coupling and ZF differentials rear. Carbon fibre/Kevlar drive shafts. Provision for locking the central torque distribution (30/70, front/ rear). Twin-plate clutch with metal-ceramic friction gaskets. Five speed gearbox longitudinally mounted at rear.
Bodywork Load-bearing structure made of carbon fibre honeycomb with steel tube screen front structure. Bodywork mostly made of carbon and Kevlar resins, impregnated with epoxy resins.
Suspension Independent struts, coil springs and anti rolls front and rear. Co-axial Bilstein dampers at front, double acting Bilstein dampers at rear.
BrakesFront: Ventilated discs with twin-calipers and two 300mm diameter Brembo cylinders. Rear: Ventillated discs with single calipers and four 300mm diameter Brembo cylinders. Brakes operated through twin hydraulic pumps in parallel with manual balance adjustment.
SteeringTRW rack and pinion with power assistance.
WheelsComposite material, Speedline 9ins x l6ins rims at front with light alloy 11 ins x 16ins at rear. Pirelli tyres 230/660-16 (front) and 290/660-16 (rear)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2440mm
Track F/R 1500/1520mm
Length 4003mm
Width 1880mm
Height 1500mm
Weight 930kg (Group
Fuel capacity 25 litres
EngineCentrally mounted, longitudinal with 4 cyl inline. 1795CC. Bore x stroke, 88.5mm x 71.5mm Triflux' double reverse flow cylinder head with 4 valves/cylinder and twin overhead camshafts. Compression ratio, 7.5:1. 600bhp @ 8000rpm.. 55mKg@5000rpm. Twin KKK (K26 type) turbochargers with individual intercoolers. Weber/Magnetti Marelli injection/ignition with electronically controlled turbocharging level. Dry sump lubrication with pressure and extraction pumps and air/oil radiators.
TransmissionFour-wheel drive. Epicyclic train torque converter with viscous coupling and ZF differentials rear. Carbon fibre/Kevlar drive shafts. Provision for locking the central torque distribution (30/70, front/ rear). Twin-plate clutch with metal-ceramic friction gaskets. Five speed gearbox longitudinally mounted at rear.
Bodywork Load-bearing structure made of carbon fibre honeycomb with steel tube screen front structure. Bodywork mostly made of carbon and Kevlar resins, impregnated with epoxy resins.
Suspension Independent struts, coil springs and anti rolls front and rear. Co-axial Bilstein dampers at front, double acting Bilstein dampers at rear.
BrakesFront: Ventilated discs with twin-calipers and two 300mm diameter Brembo cylinders. Rear: Ventillated discs with single calipers and four 300mm diameter Brembo cylinders. Brakes operated through twin hydraulic pumps in parallel with manual balance adjustment.
SteeringTRW rack and pinion with power assistance.
WheelsComposite material, Speedline 9ins x l6ins rims at front with light alloy 11 ins x 16ins at rear. Pirelli tyres 230/660-16 (front) and 290/660-16 (rear)
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2440mm
Track F/R 1500/1520mm
Length 4003mm
Width 1880mm
Height 1500mm
Weight 930kg (Group
Fuel capacity 25 litres
Group S would be cool, but I gotta say that I really like seeing common cars out on the rally stages...it's why I relate to WRC and LMS GT more than F1 or LMP. Prototypes and one-offs are not accessible to you or I...
Yeah, but I like that aspect. And a WRCar is north of $500,000, with S2000 only $200,000 less. So.....it doesnt hurt my feelings that I will never have driven one.
If you plan to bring in NEW audience to WRC then you have to create some drama (not bitch fighting drama but action) and a sense of something extraordinary .. something you lust for like in F1. While the case of having cars that you can relate to might appeal to you .. if you want to make the sport more popular you have to make the 10 yr old kid want to put up the poster of some super exotic EVO going across a mud road right next to his poster of a Ferrari .. for that you need something much more insane than the current offerings of WRC.
also, i am properly drunk so i am rambling here.
also, i am properly drunk so i am rambling here.
I think instead of econoboxes they should use sportscars. Mazda MX5 WRC, Lotus Elise WRC...mmm...oh yeah get Porsche back into rallying...
I don't think it can match F1 unless they make them insanely fast again. After all, isn't that why people watch F1? If F1 cars were limited to 100mph, it wouldn't be half as impressive.
Phix, did you make all of that up before? I haven't seen anything about anything you said (except VW saying they may be interested months ago). But then I didn't look very hard.
Phix, did you make all of that up before? I haven't seen anything about anything you said (except VW saying they may be interested months ago). But then I didn't look very hard.
Moe, I think you may have hit on something.
But instead of sports cars, what about being more strict with the formula. Making it against the rules to convert a FWD car to AWD in order to compete. You would have more rally homologation cars on the road, and in the hands of young people, allowing them to bring the enthusiasm from WRC to their local streets and dirt roads. There is also the possibility of having an all Subaru paddock with this scheme...since some manufacturers would pull out.
Or they could just introduce a breakfast cereal...kids love that kinda stuff.
But instead of sports cars, what about being more strict with the formula. Making it against the rules to convert a FWD car to AWD in order to compete. You would have more rally homologation cars on the road, and in the hands of young people, allowing them to bring the enthusiasm from WRC to their local streets and dirt roads. There is also the possibility of having an all Subaru paddock with this scheme...since some manufacturers would pull out.
Or they could just introduce a breakfast cereal...kids love that kinda stuff.
I was thinking of when the original 911 won the Monte Carlo, or the Stratos...mmm...the Stratos...
RWD has the the visual excitement that would bring new viewers into rallying (advertise it right and the drift crowd would love it, and also learn about REAL adaptive driving), but most of the conservative morons including drivers and crews hate the idea of losing four wheel drive because its slower. Sure it is, and it looks fucking boring on tarmac. The best rally videos you can find that you sit and watch in wonder and disbelief usually involve a rwd Escort, Stratos, Lancia Rally 037, Opel Manta, 131 Abarth on some insanely switchbacked country lane 20000ft above sea level.
At least a classification for the cars, you automatically have Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Mercedes, and perhaps the ocasional tarmac spec Ferarri if the Fucking Ignorant Asses would lightnen the damned rule that dictates a manufacturer has to enter the WRC for the full year. I think mandating them to enter only 5 at least would make certain events more special like in the old days.
Formula One is the darling of the FIA, and Eccelstone cant have anyone eating at his table.
At least a classification for the cars, you automatically have Porsche, BMW, Aston Martin, Mercedes, and perhaps the ocasional tarmac spec Ferarri if the Fucking Ignorant Asses would lightnen the damned rule that dictates a manufacturer has to enter the WRC for the full year. I think mandating them to enter only 5 at least would make certain events more special like in the old days.
Formula One is the darling of the FIA, and Eccelstone cant have anyone eating at his table.
Well, one thing on Max Mosley's agenda list is to fix the WRC up. Yes, yes, I know Mosley is pretty controversial but when the man sets out to achieve something he certainly does everything in his power to achieve it. So, let's just sit back and watch. I predict good things for the WRC in the next few years.
So co drivers will all be Nazi Dominatrixs? (or is the plural of dominatrix dominatri?)
Meh, the official ruling by the judge as well as post-scandal interviews by the whores in the video already said there were no Nazi shit in the orgy. I don't really care. I just want to see Mosley hold true to his promise of revamping the WRC.
Frankly I'm of the opinion that as long as kids aren't involved, nobody belongs in your bedroom...so I'm with you, all snide remarks aside.
QUOTE(RallyCat909 @ Aug 16 2008, 09:56 AM)
if the Fucking Ignorant Asses would lightnen the damned rule that dictates a manufacturer has to enter the WRC for the full year.
That rule's dead as of 2009.
One thing that would be interesting would be a massive purse to win the championship. A real Grand Prix. It would have to be huge. Enough to make everyone raise their eyebrows.
Mosely is most likely stepping down next year though, so he'll have to pass this enthusiasm to sort out WRC on to his successor.
QUOTE(tune @ Aug 18 2008, 06:43 AM)
Mosely is most likely stepping down next year though, so he'll have to pass this enthusiasm to sort out WRC on to his successor.
...in October. That's plenty of time to put things in to motion.
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