[WTCC] FIA WTCR 2018: WTCC / TCR Merger?

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

But who will promote the new championship, Eurosport or Lotti's WSC?

I hope Eurosport.

Even though the TC1 S2000 extension could be regarded as the beginning of the end, they still do a far better job at social media, website, videos and coverage with onboard cameras than WSC. Heck, even two commentators.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Fechna

it would be a shame if WTCC gets downgraded to a World Cup...

Latins don't care much, as we say "el Mundial", "il Mondiale", "le Mondial".

[jsmee]

Originally Posted by BobJones

I hope Eurosport.

Even though the TC1 S2000 extension could be regarded as the beginning of the end, they still do a far better job at social media, website, videos and coverage with onboard cameras than WSC. Heck, even two commentators.

I'm not saying TCR social media etc is great, but the accessibility of WTCC is terrible. Eurosport embargo any sort of availability of races on catchup unless you pay for their full service. At least with TCR every session is shown on YouTube and available on catchup, phenomenal.

Let's be honest, Martin Haven or the TCR commentator are both fairly poor, Tom Gaymor is a much more professional character.

[PawUloN]

Originally Posted by RED55

there is no reason why there cannot be works backed teams

The only reason is there's no incentive to develop the cars as the rules I believe are strict and there's BoP, and manufacturers want wins, not just being on par with privateers.

[pimmy]

Originally Posted by jsmee

I'm not saying TCR social media etc is great, but the accessibility of WTCC is terrible. Eurosport embargo any sort of availability of races on catchup unless you pay for their full service. At least with TCR every session is shown on YouTube and available on catchup, phenomenal.

Let's be honest, Martin Haven or the TCR commentator are both fairly poor, Tom Gaymor is a much more professional character.

Yeah, get rid of Eurosport, they're absolutely shite. They prioritise repeats of tennis over live coverage of a championship which they own and promote. Online streaming is the future of sports broadcasting and it works perfectly well for TCR and SRO championships.

Haven can stay as commentator. Yeah, he gets stuff wrong sometimes but I like his style. Tom Gaymor is one of the worst commentators I've ever had the misfortune of hearing, along with Toby Moody and Alex Jacques. How any of them remain employed in their current roles is a mystery.

Hopefully we'll hear more of Ben Edwards in the future after Channel 4's F1 contract ends. It's an absolute shame to have him being wasted on that rubbish.

[Fechna]

Originally Posted by PawUloN

The only reason is there's no incentive to develop the cars as the rules I believe are strict and there's BoP, and manufacturers want wins, not just being on par with privateers.

To do so you just need 3 things: a very professional team, three top drivers that can support each other with setup and tactics and enough cars in the hands of less capable teams and drivers to balance any bop threats with weaker scoring cars. Should be still cheaper then TC1. And the grids would swell...

[Juntos]

Originally Posted by pimmy

Yeah, get rid of Eurosport, they're absolutely shite. They prioritise repeats of tennis over live coverage of a championship which they own and promote. Online streaming is the future of sports broadcasting and it works perfectly well for TCR and SRO championships.

I agree, but the main problem is not Eurosport but Eurosport Events itself.

Lotti's gang is what it is. May they never be complete. May they never be content. May they never be perfect. But they are more reasonable.

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by jsmee

I'm not saying TCR social media etc is great, but the accessibility of WTCC is terrible. Eurosport embargo any sort of availability of races on catchup unless you pay for their full service. At least with TCR every session is shown on YouTube and available on catchup, phenomenal.

Every race of WTCC is available immediately (same day) after the event on YouTube seen as Eurosport stopped flagging any content years back. Has been the case for the past two seasons.

There's clearly more budget and production values in the WTCC broadcast. One commentator and no onboard cameras in TCR says a lot, the director who goes to replays of an empty track on several times this season doesn't help TCR either.

Plus WTCC allows drivers/teams to use as much footage as they wish and use their own cameras, as is the case with the excellent Coronel videos and the Polestar channel.

[steve_r]

I would rather no onboard footage and no replays at all than the WTCC obsession of showing the pit crew reaction DURING the one and only overtake of the whole race.

(Sorry, dragging the thing off topic)

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by BLiTZ

Unless Volvo cobble together a V40 TCR (something they already didn't fancy doing to stay in the STCC), I guess that's them out!

Even if TC1 continues they are probably out after this or next season.

With their electric future plans I don't think we will see them back in touring cars.

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by FIRE

Even if TC1 continues they are probably out after this or next season.

With their electric future plans I don't think we will see them back in touring cars.

I don't know why they aren't in FE already, odd decision from the outset to enter WTCC really.

Having said that, every car manufacturer has an electric future. Who's going to jump first and offer a top-flight electric touring car series?

[BobJones]

Originally Posted by steve_r

I would rather no onboard footage and no replays at all than the WTCC obsession of showing the pit crew reaction DURING the one and only overtake of the whole race.

(Sorry, dragging the thing off topic)

That's true, those are really annoying and completely unnecessary.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by BobJones

I don't know why they aren't in FE already, odd decision from the outset to enter WTCC really.

Yep, maybe Volvo fears costs of FE will skyrock in two or three years time.

Originally Posted by BobJones

Having said that, every car manufacturer has an electric future. Who's going to jump first and offer a top-flight electric touring car series?

Jaguar has plans.

Volvo could do something with the S60 STCC silhouette car.

[Juntos]

Manufacturers would jump on eWTCC. But they are not ready for today and 2018 season is in the corner.
Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm

[NaBUru38]

Electric road cars are better suited for rallycross. I would expect the Volvo XC40 fighting Volkswagen and Peugeot in 2019.

[Mark0994]

Look like that WTCC/TCR merger will be confirmed on December 6th
http://www.serbiaring.com/vesti/wtcc...ju-6-decembra/

Ribeiro said that WTCC will introduce TCR regulations for next year and that TCR international Series will fold. Also FIA and Eurosport will stay in charge, but no info who will lead them Ribeiro or Lotti.

I think if Eurosport get TCR International then TCR Europe will consume ETCC.

[Tarzaan]

I think there will be more spectacular races but less glamour.

Why I think there will be less glamour?

No factory teams
No factory payed top drivers
Visibly slower cars

[Fechna]

I would still find it hard to believe that the FIA would ban factory teams and drivers from their top tier touringcar series. Even TCR allowed Hyundai some races as clear works contenders, although without letting them score or qualify on pole.

[Fechna]

In an Interview Alessandro Mariani from JAS Honda said the following:

"TCR is cost-effective, the performance is good and the cost-benefit ratio is excellent, and as a young driver you can easily move up to be a works driver because it's the same vehicle, it would be a very important step."

Why would he say that if he doesnt believe in a future for works teams and Works-Hondas in WTCC-TCR?

[Cinghio44]

Originally Posted by Tarzaan

No factory payed top drivers

Why not factory drivers? I mean, manufacturers could sell their drivers to race in some team of the WTCR...or I'm wrong??

[Tarzaan]

Originally Posted by Cinghio44

Why not factory drivers? I mean, manufacturers could sell their drivers to race in some team of the WTCR...or I'm wrong??

They could, but I doubt they will.
We will see the next years entry list soon - I don't know when - it will tell us a lot.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Mark0994

http://www.serbiaring.com/vesti/wtcc...ju-6-decembra/

Ribeiro said that WTCC will introduce TCR regulations for next year and that TCR international Series will fold. Also FIA and Eurosport will stay in charge, but no info who will lead them Ribeiro or Lotti.

I think if Eurosport get TCR International then TCR Europe will consume ETCC.

Lotti already announced a six-round TCR Trophy Europe. I guess it will inherit the TCR International entries and TV rights.

[Racing Harz]

Originally Posted by Tarzaan

They could, but I doubt they will.

There will be worksdrivers...
With Menu, Tarquini, Vernay, Michelisz, Leuchter e.g. had the TCR Int. this year Worksdrivers as well

[Cinghio44]

Yeah i think that manufacturers want to see their cars in good hands... it's also to promote the models

[Mark0994]

http://www.serbiaring.com/vesti/zvac...je-dve-godine/
More info about WTCR
The series will run for at least two years, before eventual introduction of Class 1
Also there will be three races in weekend like in BTCC.