Global Rallycross Championship 2012

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Hickey

Anopther way to put it would be that it is abhorrent that the organisers of the GRC would contemplate putting such an event on such a weekend, further jeopardising the success of the franchise from which it has stolen its good will, ideas and top drivers.

Do you think that ESPN would change the X Games date based on the ERX calendar?

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Hickey

Another way to put it, of course, is that it's sad that two WRC champions, who are themselves both European, are competing in a support race for the X Games (oh yes, those 4 million viewers would tune in irrespective of whether rallycross was on the bill, don't kid yourself), instead of competing in the pinnacle of the ERC.

The ERC could gain from the X Games exposure - there will be people that watch the X Games, see the rallycross and then head over to YouTube looking for more - the chances are they'll find ERC coverage. That could lead to greater audiences for the ERC in the long run (not all X Games viewers will be in the US - plenty will see coverage online). The same goes for the "challenge" video put out by Tanner Foust and Ken Blocks various YouTube bits and pieces - they all have the potential to help rallycross as a whole.

Originally Posted by Hickey

Anopther way to put it would be that it is abhorrent that the organisers of the GRC would contemplate putting such an event on such a weekend, further jeopardising the success of the franchise from which it has stolen its good will, ideas and top drivers.

That's a bit strong I think, date clashes are unfortunate but given the chance to piggyback on the X Games I think the GRC organisers would have been foolish to turn down the opportunity. I just hope that they get the course right.

Speaking of the course - rallycross is mixed dirt and tarmac (as we all know and love), what we have seen so far from the GRC has been tarmac. WRC and IRC events are usually single surface on a given event (although there are exceptions) but multiple surfaces over the course of the year. If GRC took this approach - some mixed courses, some tarmac, some gravel, some ice/snow would that appease people? (don't know if it's even practical but thought I'd throw that out there for discussion )

[USRallycross]

Chunder - I have been around rallycross almost, if not longer than you and well remember the good old days. I loved Mk2's like the next man and still love the sights and sounds of Group B but times move on.

Actually 4M wouldn't tune in anyway. We get the detailed tracking times for X Games and it consistently spikes for the rally/now rallycross spot hitting the high water mark of 4M.

X Games date changed not to clash with the Olympics.......unfortunate that GRC clashed with ERC but not like anyone had a choice.

The next two events (X Games and New Hampshire) both will have dirt in the course.

Not sacrilige being spoken re Holjes just commercial reality. Both will be great events and I would have loved to see Tanner repeat his victory from last year and start part 2 of his Championship push the right way.

I am off to catch my plane to LA - hope everyone has fun wherever they are this weekend.

Mark

[I Rosputnik]

I really don’t understand why everything must compete against everything. It still baffles me why the ERC and GRC have not gotten together and worked something out together. You could have two strong championships with an event bringing them together such as the X-games with a Europe vs USA event.

As far as I see as from an outsider perspective that both have major issues that are rectified by the others advantages. The GRC has the presentation and style aspects nailed plus financial strength through advertisement while the ERC has the perfect tracks and a strong traditional linage of drivers and manufactures. The GRC needs to brings these traditional elements from the ERC to strengthen the integrity of the racing (Ovals are great for crowds, but I feel there needs to be dirt at least some of rounds. Plus having jumps at every round almost makes them feel forced on the track layout.), but the ERC needs to look at the way the GRC has used social media and the X-games to get closer to the fans.

Compared to the rest of the member I have only recently begun watching rallycross, but I see an opportunity for both sides here through partnership that involves both series and there organisers. Squandering this opportunity would be an utter disaster for rallycross in the long term. It is time for rallycross to raise its profile so long as they maintain the integrity of the sport.

Meanwhile I have to applaud Tanner Foust and Liam Doran. Not only is he bridging the gap between the GRC and ERC, but they have the talent to back it up. (Provided they do not crash into each other.)

[HaydenFan]

Originally Posted by I Rosputnik

I really don’t understand why everything must compete against everything. It still baffles me why the ERC and GRC have not gotten together and worked something out together. You could have two strong championships with an event bringing them together such as the X-games with a Europe vs USA event.

I know I've had a foot in mouth moment in the thread, but this question is one that I think needs to be pointed out as it hasn't seemed to have been asked. And with the X-Games having multiple events next year, with 2 of them being in Europe (albeit not rallycross strong nations), why not having combined events?

As a new fan to this sport, who'd witnessed the dangers of two similar competing series in single seater racing, I think working together rather than competing (even if the competing is from fans bickering on internet forums) is not working to help the sport. You need to have the name guys succeed. In the U.S., it is great as a motorsport fan to see Gronholm win (as his chance to win many WRC rallies was squashed by Loeb), the U.S. fans want to see their drivers win. I see kids at even the local motorcross track with Ken Block and Pastrana shirts. Those are the guys the fans want to see, and see do well. And adding to it, with other American talent will help to increase the sport. But right now, the level of competition has huge gaps. Not in terms of talent, as these drivers have wins and championships across the board in motorsport, but in terms of equipment.

With the recent events in rallying in the last few years (involving deaths and serious injuries), in today's world, how long will stage rallying last? Rallycross brings the sport into a compact, safer circuit.

[tbtstt]

Have you seen the course layout for the rallycross yet Mark? Have they copied last years layout, or has it been tweaked?

[Matt]

welp....

photo c/o ERC24.

video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgBVL...e_gdata_player

topi broke his leg.

[tbtstt]

****. That looks like it hurt. Glad to see Heikkinen get himself out of the car, but he must be pretty bashed up after that (guess the car is a write off as well).

That metal ramp has a lot less give in it than the dirt ones, thats for sure...


NB: Hell of a photo!

[Matt]

apparently he has broken ribs and internal bleeding as well

[I Rosputnik]

Sigh...

They are still using that metal ramp rather then a dirt one? Right, that thing needs to go, now!

Motorsport is dangerous, but this is unneeded. Hope Heikkinen gets better.

[trotter1979]

What happened to Topi would of happened to Sverre in the other round when he stopped on the ramp as he knew he wasn't carrying enough speed yet he got disqualified, would they rather he crashes and causes damage to himself and the car.

Have to say grc is not for me its all too false whats the point of having jumps because at that point in time you cant actually race you have got to get in a queue and if one person gets held up the following drivers have to go for it and risk crashing or stop and get disqualified.

Im going to stick with the erc and brc, i've tried to watch grc but it bores me it's just like an exhibition its not racing.I can sit and watch european rallycross for hours but 5 mins of grc and i have to turn it off.

Having grown up just down the road from lydden i attend all the rallycross events i can and enjoy everyone. I know some will say there is no loose section anymore at lydden but its still good to watch as drivers have got to use the loose to try and overtake.

Im sorry if i upset anyone but these are my personal views i would love the grc to be the same format as erc and on proper rallycross tracks.
I can't fault the grc for the advertising and the quality drivers it attracts if only erc and brc could do the same, (gronholm two wheels at lydden) maybe they could introduce a guest car in erc imagine loeb, gronholm.

Bit long winded but my view.

[USRallycross]

Just to provide some facts. Topi broke his ankle in 15 places. There are no other reported injuries. This is bad but obviously could have been a lot worse and shame it happened to Topi who is such a great guy.

Personally and as the team we wish him a speedy recovery.

Everything is to fresh to get into discussion re the jump here. Tomorrow is a new day.

Mark

[QuarterRik]

I wonder whether Gronholm now so going to make such a scene of the accident Morten Bermingrud at Valkenswaard. Then he found rallycross suddenly too dangerous. Now they are artificial jumps with an installation that it looks that they weigh several thousand pounds, it was there simply to arrive. If you do not have enough speed gives you the other side not as simple as that. In Höljes they do not have that problem with their jump.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by trotter1979

What happened to Topi would of happened to Sverre in the other round when he stopped on the ramp as he knew he wasn't carrying enough speed yet he got disqualified, would they rather he crashes and causes damage to himself and the car.

Yeah, I agree with this and still think the Isachsen disqualification was a poor move.

With regards to the Heikkinen incident I've got to ask the question: why were there no tyres or something on the edge of the landing ramp? I know it wouldn't stop much, but having that metal edge as a contact surface for any car that comes up short seems crazy.

I do hope this raises serious quentions at the GRC on the future of the gap jump: though I fear its too integral to the marketing of the GRC for it to be dropped now.

[chunder]

Not saying other than "I told you so"