WRC » Manufacturers given 'reasons to get out'

"Do you believe that Bernie Ecclestone would choose not the best grands prix in the world or the ones that could afford to promote themselves better than anybody else or just go to places for political reasons? No, he wouldn''t, of course he wouldn''t."

No he chooses them based on how much money he can milk out of the circuits for his company & himself!!

From the time the ridiculous rule of 2 stages per set of tyres came the WRC was on the way down. It was aided in its fall by the terrible coverage with the nemesis of any true rallying fan, the on board camera. No longer could we view cars driven in anger, now we got scenes of gravel and bush flying by at 120 kph thanks to roof and bumper mounted cameras. But let''s not forget the director''s favourite, the camera showing the driver''s face !!!!!!!! THAT''S NOT WHY PEOPLE STAND FOR HOURS IN THE SUN AND COLD. They do it to see brilliant and spectacular driving, where you can see and appreciate the vehicle''s attitude to the road with respect to its direction of travel !!!!!

Yes, Elite, and with the constantly changing rules. In 2006, the 2009 season was planned to run from 2008 September to 2009 May, but the rotation makes the hole series ridiculous. Stupid rules - such as only one tyre and no safety options - remember Japan and GB. But the whole story is that there is no promoter, and FIA is trying to regulate WRC because it's popularity has grown above the 'saint cow' Formula-1. They are destroying it now, next is WTCC, because they are more intresting then F1.

I think David is spot on, with so many people sitting and taking care of their positions, decisions can only be like they have been over the last decades - political, not sporting.

You should build a competitive car first David.
If Subaru won the World Championship this year, they would not have withdrawn.
FACT.

I like your comments Elite !! I also think that DR is spot on, the WRC is being choked by insane decisions that are detrimental to the health and the future of the WRC. In times like this we need to do the basics really well, keeping the most popular events in the calender, listening to what the manufacturers want and need whilst you still have some, running more exciting night stages, being flexible on routes/stages (distance wise), having continuity and clarity within the rules, making a good set of sensible rules and regulations, market the WRC well with proper commentators (experts) from within the sport (like Footy and Rugby do) and finally let the sport grow without prejudice !!

Subaru is on its tracks to winning and suzuki was also moving on the right direction too.. that being said they still pulls out...

in some of his comments, richards is not right. it was subaru who pulled the plug "for economoc reasons" just as honda did. it was not a team decision. prodrive could easily realign themselves with another make. they could even run fords!
the future change to s2000 will be good as the wrc cars were fat going the old group b route and were becoming only distantly related to real cars. at least s2000 will have more relevance to jhoe public. montecarlo have gone the irc route, not the first time that they have been ahead of the field. even seb has shown confidence in s2000, and he was initially a sceptic. bring back REAL rallying!

I have to say that the WRC has been in disaray for a few years. No direction in rules or events. Promoter or not the TV coverage hasn't done itself any favours either..

As for Subaru's withdrawal well! As a victim of this I can tell you that had DR taken control of them team as stated and sorted out the operation, potentially winning events then Subaru may not have pulled out. Economic or not Petter has made it a PR disaster constantly throwing his toys out of the pram, whilst getting paid millions! Whilst DR and other senior figures was to busy with his interests elsewhere it left the team with no morale. I feel sorry for the workers, not management or Petter. It's their fault!

I hope someone important reads Elite's comment about the stupid "driver's face camera". It adds absolutely nothing to the experience, and it seems to be taking a larger and larger percentage of air time (probably so they don't have to hire more cameramen along the route).

As though seeing Loeb's stern face and barely moving arms combined with Elena's squeaky voice is supposed to make you 'experience' what they're going through.