by Rob Wilkins


The World Rally Championship could rival any sport, including Formula 1 and MotoGP, that's the belief of BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally team director, Malcolm Wilson.

Although the WRC currently doesn't come anywhere near to matching the popularity of F1 or MotoGP - or for that matter a number of other motorsport series' - Wilson is convinced that once a global promoter is appointed, the championship will make serious headway.

Indeed the WRC is currently the only FIA registered championship not to have a global promoter and while the World Motor Sport Council confirmed at the end of June that it has 'directed' the FIA to 'finalise negotiations for the appointment of a central promoter', much to the relief of all involved in the sport, it is still uncertain how long that will take.

"It [the WMSC meeting] was very positive. It is not often the case that you can get 100 per cent of what you propose sorted. But in principle we have got that," Wilson Sr told Crash.net Radio recently. "Ford, Citroen and the manufacturers are now working with the FIA to make sure that we all get exactly what we need to take this sport forward.

"It is a fantastic sport and if people could really capture the excitement that we had in Turkey on that final day [the last round prior to the summer break], I don't think there is any other sport that can come close to it. We have got to find a way to capture that and let the rest of the world see how exciting the sport is."

Asked if Ford have a time scale for when they want a promoter appointed, Wilson added that while it needs to happen quickly, they need to ensure they get it right too.

"We are working with the FIA now. We need to make sure something is in place as soon as possible - the sooner the better really," he continued. "But the important thing is we can work with the FIA now and get exactly what the sport needs, what Ford needs and what the other manufacturers' need, to take this sport to where it should rightfully be.

"We have been given the green light that they are going to appoint a promoter and I know they are having meetings with promoters at the moment. You have got to get the right promoter. You have got to get the right people. It is not something that is going to happen overnight.

"As I said, we are working with them, because it is so important for everybody, that when it is announced, we want it to be right. At least we are having some input and that is the important thing."