Ford may quit WRC at end of this year

[SJ Spode]

www.worldrallynews.com are reporting that Ford may quit the WRC if the FIA adds two extra rounds in 2004.

Other teams are reportedly unhappy at the suggested move to 16 events next year including Mexico and Japan but Ford are the first to openly voice their opposition.

(Ah well, if there's no works teams left by next year the new third driver rule won't matter)

[glyn parham]

Considering how long this proposal has been rumbling on I am surprised just how quiet the teams have been in response to this idea by the FIA (I'm sure these letters stand for something, is it Foolish, Ignorant , Arrogant? ) , so its about time someone made a stand against some or, hopefully, all of these plans with the exception of the engines.
Good for Ford in that respect, I hope the rest back up this view and force the issue one way or the other.

[SJ Spode]

Apparently Peugeot are unhappy too but will go with whatever they're told by the FIA. Interestingly Dave Richards is also opposed to the idea as it will increase costs from their side, taking resources away from the live stages they want to broadcast and may not help TV spectator numbers anyway.

[Lee Janotta]

Just dump a French round and one of the other mediterranean rounds to make room for the new rallies. Too many damn events in one place anyhow.

A rotating schedule would really be best, but that won't happen in this day and age.

[racer69]

I agree completely about the rotating schedule. Less rounds of the World Championship would also make it possible to make the rallies longer, both in terms of distance covered and days.

[BertMk2]

Make room for new rounds by losing either Cyprus or Greece (too similar and too close) and any of the tarmac rounds (rallying should be about mud, gravel, ice, snow and various other dubious surfaces)

[alfasud]

So what's the problem? Ford just want to spend the money of Jag in F1.... where they hope they can get their corporate guests plastered in the VIP suites, so they don't notice the cars blow up (again).

There are more teams than Ford running. If we have to drop rounds, then either Cyprus, Greece or Turkey. Or rotation.... what's wrong with the rotation idea anyway?

I think Mexico could be a good thing. Does Japan have any really good rally roads?

[Chick]

I agree with the rotation idea, I also feel that there are too many rallies in the mediterranean so moving to Japan and mexico would be great!

[Speeddemon555]

That would be a bad move for Ford if they withdraw from the WRC altogether.

[paulzinho]

What rounds do they have at the moment then and what surfaces are they?

[alfasud]

The current 2003 calender can be seen at many sites like http://www.rally-live.com/

The surfaces are as follows:

MONTE CARLO - Mixed Tarmac/Snow/Ice
SWEDEN - Snow/Ice
TURKEY - Gravel (rough)
NEW ZEALAND - Gravel
ARGENTINA - Gravel (rough)
ACROPOLIS - Gravel (rough)
CYPRUS - Gravel (rough)
GERMANY - Tarmac
FINLAND - Gravel
AUSTRALIA - Gravel
SANREMO - Tarmac
TOUR DE CORSE - Tarmac
CATALUNYA - Tarmac
GREAT BRITAIN - Gravel

14 rounds in all. Adding Mexico and Japan, without removing existing rounds would make a total of 16.

[GTRMagic]

Australia seems to e doing its level best to donald duck the continuation of its round, so there's one free :angry:

That the schedule is so wonky doesnt help, having NZ & Australia so far apart is insane.... dont these guys have an atlas?

[paulzinho]

Thanks alfasud!

[429CJ]

I've heard, that Australian rally and British rally can swap places for the next season.

[SJ Spode]

Originally posted by 429CJ
I've heard, that Australian rally and British rally can swap places for the next season.

That's what they're looking at, although I'm not sure it's a good idea. It's good to have Rally GB as the last round, and in November it throws up some unique weather conditions. Also if the GB event is run in more clement weather it will attract even more spectators; cue, congestion problems etc.