WRCC meeting to decide the future of the WRC, if they get it wrong Citroen and Ford walk
Today and tomorrow will signal the future direction of the WRC, where important decisions by the WRCC will be ratified on Wednesday by the WMSC. Much debate has concerned the new technical regulations and it is still not 100% clear what direction these will take, WRCars are expected to take on some form of add on kit for Group N and S2000 cars, but no one is completely sure of the specifics that will make up the kit.
The WRC Commission will probably rename the main categories;
WRC, Super Production and Production - according to GPWEEK.com
* WRC is likely to be Super Production plus a kit.
* Super Production is likely to be S2000 and GpN.
* Production is likely to be 2wd GpN/GpR cars.
Another key area the WRCC will look at is to bring in a global promoter for the series, a Bernie Eccelston kind of figure if you like. If the WMSC delay this appointment and ratify regulations that don't suit the manufacturers' then a mass exodus from the WRC is likely.
Both Ford and Citroen have indicated that if the wrong decisions are made they will leave. Quesnel was talking about DTM to Autosport, again, and stating how much better promoted it is. One gets the feeling he isn't a true rallyman and would prefer to be at a track away from the WRC. Ford too, are concerned about the commercial side of things and are keen for immediate action ie:the swift appointment of a global promoter. Also Subaru, a fervent supporter of the WRC, may look at their participation at the top level and decide to go elsewhere as haven't been too happy with some of the noises coming from the FIA lately.
It would appear that the consultation period, between the teams and FIA, started well with almost universal agreement, then things became blurred with the FIA, who appeared to change their minds about the technical regs to leave everyone in the dark until they are ratified tomorrow. The only team that has made positive noises is Abarth, who plan to join if S2000+ is adopted.
Again, a critical time for the WRC and tomorrow could be the defining moment for the series since it's creation back in 1973.
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
- Malcolm Wilson is optimistic for the WRC’s future as confident the right global promoter will be chosen
- World Motor Sport Council decisions following WRC Commission meeting
- Bernd Casier was one of the stars of Ypres 2008 here is a video of him testing prior to the rally and one of him during it
- Opel are planning to homologate a Corsa S2000 in the near future
- S2000+ it is, following FIA ratification at WMSC meeting











Comments
No comments yet.