FIA announces new WRC rules...yikes!

check out www.wrc.com for all the details on the new rules, effective 2004. also the '04 schedule. the WRC will be in north america!!
one very hot topic is that of the "two driver rule." currenly only two team drivers can collect points in a race. the new rule

"In a U-turn worthy of American foreign policy, the FIA has now decided to turn over the recent ‘third driver’ rule and decree that from now on manufacturers will only be allowed to run two points-scoring drivers, both of whom will be nominated permanently. Just like Formula 1, in other words.

Of course, there’s nothing to stop teams running three, four or five cars. But if only two permanently nominated drivers are scoring throughout the year, then what’s the point? May as well just run two cars, save a bit of money, and have done with it."
-wrc.com

So with 7 teams, this makes for a max of 14 factory cars. factor in crashes and mechanicals, and you may have 8 or less finishing cars.
Corrado Provera say: "“How many spectators will come to see an event where 12 cars start and only three or four finish? Some people complain about the lack of TV coverage in rallying at the moment. Why should the TV people be more interested in covering a 12-car event than an 18-car event? How many magazine editors will be interesting in covering a championship that is reduced by a third?"

So lets here what you all think about the new rules. and if you plan to attend the Corona Rally Mexico!

-PJ

[dropkick_muppet]

i think that the FIA has gone and shot itself in the foot with these new rules. Corrado Provera makes an excellent point. WRC events suffer from the highest level of attrition during the stages than any other form of motorports. reducing the number of cars running will also reduce the number of cars that finish .

the other way this is going to hurt the WRC, is the development of new driving talent. right now, there are several factory teams that run third cars with less then proven drivers who show potential. cutting back to two cars will make it so the teams are less willing to take risks on new drivers, for fear that they won't score manufacturer's points. a couple of seasons with no new talent, an the WRC could become really stale. Imagine the WRC without Marko Martin, who was Ford's third driver last year -- not a pretty picture is it?

[ZIZZIZ]

but hey - hell yeah to a rally in North america!

i agree, thats totally awesome! any ideas why theres no wrc event in the US?? not enough support? venue location? there has to be someone lobbying for a US event. hell, make pikes peak a wrc event. although i would rather see a tight, twisty, deep in the woods race myself.

-PJ

[HomerJay]

Well, there has to be an organized body that will put up the money and organize something to lure the WRC here, like when cities try to lure the Olympics. I don't see anyone doing that here since there is no support. Remember, we're Americans, we like watching family sedans go around in a circle!

[whitelegacy98]

where in the U.S. is it coming?

[ZIZZIZ]

unfortunately it's sout o the border. i agree though - we should try to get a rally in the US. could you imagine a rally in the new england woods?? that'd be hot!

[Weasel 555]

from www.rally-live.com

The 2004 calendar...16 rounds (woowee) !!

The World Motor Sport Council has agreed the following calendar by fax vote:

Monte Carlo - January 23, 24, 25
Sweden - February 6, 7, 8
Mexico - March 12, 13, 14 .....start planning yer holiday !!
Argentina - April 30, May 1, 2
Cyprus - May 14, 15, 16
Greece - May 28, 29, 30
Turkey - June 25, 26, 27
New Zealand - July 16, 17, 18
Finland - August 6, 7, 8
Germany - August 20, 21, 22
Japan - September 3, 4, 5
Great Britain - September 17, 18, 19
Italy - October 1, 2, 3
France - October 15, 16, 17
Spain - October 29, 30, 31
Australia - November 12, 13, 14

FIA press release.

Andy...

16 events is very cool. mexico is awesome. has there been a wrc event in japan before? wonder what the reason for shuffling the Aussie race to nov. was? maybe G.B. will be less rainy in sept.

-PJ

[dropkick_muppet]

maybe G.B. will be less rainy in sept.

hahahaha! yeah, right! GB not rainy in September? fat chance.

moving Australia to November means that the rally runs at the start of the southern hemisphere summer, as opposed to the middle of their winter, like it does right now. Rain will be unlikely then, which will give a serious advantage to those running lower in the order on the stages.

[bushido]

It's a shame about the new non 3rd driver rule. Where is Freddy loix going to go now if anywhere. And the third spot is perfect for up in rising stars of WRC. Maybe they will be aloud to run but no points available to the drivers.

About the calender for next year. It looks great. This way no driver will have home advantage during the final rally. Since none are from Australia

the two driver rule works like this.
a manufac. could have as many cars as they want in a race. for instance subaru could have T. Mak, Solberg, Burns, and Arai all in WRC factory cars. BUUUT... the team must nominate two drivers who will be eligible for points through out the season. so lets say they nominate Burns and Arai (yes i know none of this would happen). if mak or petter won or placed they would not recieve any points for the efforts.
so long story short, most teams will run two cars, simply b/c its expensive to run a third car that couldn't even get points for the driver or the team. in the long run, i think this will affect/limit/shutdown/deny up and coming drivers who could bring new blood to the wrc.

-PJ

[nypatrick]

NASCAR also supposedly has limits on how many cars an owner can field, but look at Rousch Racing: 5-6 cars? Some are Jack's, some are in his wife's name. Also, Hendrick, with J Gordon now a part owner. It makes it very tough for independents to get a chance, and to my mind, diminishes the sport (which is already dull enough unless they are racing on the road courses). Let FIA shut itself out. They are probably taking lessons from CART.

who knows, maybe SCCA Pro Rally will be the dominant form of rallying in 3 years...

-PJ

[dropkick_muppet]

yeah, right. and maybe NASCAR will be more popular in the rest of the world than F1...