http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/motorsport/world_rally/3982347.stm

Gives Skoda more chance of winning and getting better drivers though

Looks like the WRC will be finished soon then unless another manufacturer comes in.

Steve

Or the synical; ooh look Subaru sold loads of cars because of the wrc exposure etc and potential; lets have a slice of that pie.

I doubt anybody went to buy a 307 because of it's rally heritage, not so sure the same is said for other companies. I know little exists between road car and wrc for any other manf aswell, but at least it feels like it's quick.

Mind Citroen el stable mate do alot of other events very well. Does show the extreme costs involved...shame can't help but think mkII escorts cost alot less to run over harder events?

Never understood why both Peugeot and Citreon were in it anyway since it was effectively PSA competing against each other :confused: . However, taking both of them out at the same time seems very odd as well.

It may aswell be bye bye WRC, theres very little manufacturers in it as it is. A couple of retirements and privateers are in the points (not that I'm slagging privateers), but you know what I mean

That is devastating news :eek: being a big Citroen fan...Loeb too.

It shows just how insignificant the WRC is now becoming....whatever happened for it to go this wrong.

Looks like the BTC is now going to be the only top notch motorsport that I'm going to hold any interest in.

Looks like the BTC is now going to be the only top notch motorsport that I'm going to hold any interest in.

I wouldn't say that now, as much as I love watching the WRC I've really started enjoying the selection on Motors TV and Eurosport. Moto GP, World Superbikes, DTM and ETCC at times are brilliant.

It is very unfortunate about the WRC though, the costs must be hugh and with the banning on Tabacco advertising its killing it.

What happenned for it to go wrong? THE CARS COST TOO DAMNED MUCH TO BUILD. A scooby costs

There are rule changes being discussed that will be put forward in December that will cut costs by 50%

Although TV coverage in this country is poor the WRC is massive in most parts of Europe. Peugeot and Citreon are loosing lodas of money at the moment and thats the reason they are pulling out.

The WRC needs to get the cost cutting measure's approved by the FIA and then we need an all out offensive to attract new teams.

Cheers

Lee

What happenned for it to go wrong? THE CARS COST TOO DAMNED MUCH TO BUILD. A scooby costs

Well if that's the case' date=' which yes I know it is, why the hell don't they go back to the 'basics' and restrict teams on how much they can spend on development and production. Bit like they are trying to do in F1

This I feel would encourage more manufacturers to participate again.[/quote']

New rules could slash costs

05/11/2004 11:35:57

The technical boss of the works Ford rally outfit reckons that new technical rules that are currently being decided by the leading teams in the championship could slash build, development and running costs by as much as half.

Representatives from the World Rally Championship

That's great..hadn't seen or read anything about it to be honest...just seem to have lost interest recently, mainly since the demise of the RAC rally as it was.

Hence the reason for me now going out to watch more clubman's stuff....Grizedale stages coming up on 4th December! Fantastic! Proper rallying!

salaries could have a lot to do with the huge costs as well

With so many professional sports in trouble could it not be the time to look at what top drivers and other sportsmen are paid?

Does ANYONE really warrant a million pound+salary? (except me?) no matter how good they are?

Correct Marc! Greed, scurge of our society.

I'd do it for half the salary!

Correct Marc! Greed' date=' scurge of our society.

I'd do it for half the salary! [/quote']

make it an auction...i'll do it for 49%

seriously though there are many ways costs could be cut that would nothurt the sport,

for drivers there are many that are just below the levels of the "names" that could do just as well for much less - given the chance

also look round the paddock at any big race...How many "vips" there -all on a freebie and many of them have no interest whatsoever about motorsport. but all are paid for somewhere

Admittedly some are there to enable sponsorship but with lower costs there would not be the desperation for more sponsors

Trouble is that manufacturer teams have a lot of power and its summed up by an article in Autosport about Ferrarri and their influence in F1 over the years