Should current classical events be thrown out of the series?
M-Sport: “Although we do not want to sacrifice long standing events, if they are unable to keep up with the times and offer exciting new formats or ideas, then you have to allow others the chance to do so.
"If we will end up with two new events in 2019, there will be three new events in two years, a good step”.
Hyundai: “Current events should be sacrificed if they are not organised to WRC standards.”
Citroen: “We do not think we have to sacrifice established rallies to make room for new rallies, and we don’t want shorter events so as to have more events. Rallies could be made shorter for recce or shakedown time, but not for the three days of the race. The calendar must be a balance between constraints and (currently) it is.”
Then there is the prospect of the WRC’s return to Japan and its first ever all-asphalt long haul rally.
M-Sport: “Going to Japan wouldn’t necessarily be of commercial benefit to M-Sport, but it is of course important to some manufacturers and we need to keep all of the teams interested.
"Any new event has a benefit for us in the long run. There is, of course, the extra cost taking tarmac parts to a long haul event, but until we try an event and see what it can bring and how it can enhance the championship, we cannot say more.”
Hyundai: “There is no commercial benefit as we don’t sell cars in Japan, but for sure promotion of the WRC will help to sell cars worldwide.
"Japan could bring nice images of another world to the WRC and good to have an event in Asia.”
Citroen: “What is good for the image of the WRC is also good for all manufacturers. Japan is a great nation of automobile manufacturers and Citroën sells cars there.
"No team has experience of the proposed rally, though it's always an exciting challenge to discover new rallies. As soon as there is an official announcement (if it will go ahead), we will visit the special stages of this rally."
Related news:
https://rallysportmag.com/feature-rally-australia-in-the-21st-century-030918/VIP Exclusive Content
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