Are night stages a good thing?

Of course they are- the sight of Mikkola, Alen, Salonen etc on the night stages in the '80s was fantastic! Even Bernie wants an F1 race during the night! Not sure about Chris Atkinsons views- he cant even drive during daylight!!

I think Night stages are coming back thankfully. If the WRC wants to make things more interesting without incuring more costs - its things like this they have to do. I was there on Wales Rally GB in the dark and horizontal pouring rain, conditions dont get any worse than that and it was still fantastic, most events its just gonna be dark, not even cold, let alone raining too. Organisers just have to make the stage more condusive to running in the dark, gravel the paths etc to make things easier for the average spectator. Its fun for drivers and sets a real theme, this is more like what Rallying should be about, its another challenge. I personally used to love driving night stages. Awesome !!

Wow, now that's about time, a bit of sense!


The thought of those rally machines driving at 100% at night fills me with anticipation, I spent many years following the RAC Rally around the country and the biggest thrill was hearing the cars approach in the darkness. The noise, the occasional shaft of light then the car bursting onto the stage in front of your very eyes, I just can't wait, after all it's a true test of a drivers ability.


Le Mans 24 Hours, Daytona 24 Hours and now F1 and Moto Gp are about to run events at night, the WRC and rallying have always been ahead if that's the future of world championship motorsport.

This is the dumbest question ever - if your answer is anything but "Hell yes" you are no motorsport fan and deserve to be shot.

Hell no, dont start driving in the dark AGAIN. The only one benefiting from this are the FIA prior pilots. The start in the dusk but the further down the field you get to more difificult is gets. It is only acceptable if it is a full dark stage for all contenders. I'm a fan of the early hour (i go watching rallys from my 16th year and i'm now 44 so i know what i'm talking about) and there is only one thing thats for sure, as a paying spectator you dont see anything at all, oyur blinded by the lights and it takes a while before you can see anything again. The one positive thing is the atmosphere you get, but ralling in the dark NO THANKS.
Sponsor wont be happy with this at all

Definitely. It is a traditional part of rallying and should be included in more WRC events year round, not simply because of the shortage of daylight in thewinter. I have spectated night stages on the STPR (in June), and I have to say that the night stages are just as interesting to watch as the daytime stages. Television be damned, ISC and the FIA need to stop trying to shove rallying into an F1 shaped box.

It will sort out the men from the boys (or those with very good pace notes) but from the spectators point of view it is not so good.

About time, getting back to proper rallying. I remember watching the RAC 10 years ago when it was a proper rally. It was great to watch both day and night stages and you get to see much more action in a day (& night). I have watched a lot of club rally's in the dark as well and as long as you get the right vantage point they are just as good as day stages to watch.