A difficult task awaits both Robert Reid and Dave Richards as the FIA Deputy President for Sport and World Motor Sport Council member and Motorsport UK CEO lead the new working group to map out the future of Rallyings top tier formula. Much has been said in the press, on many fan forums and indeed by the drivers themselves at the disapppointing state of the WRC and its perceived appeal. Thierry Neuville has not been coy when speaking on the matter and neither has Ott Tanak who recently made the point that something must be wrong if the reining Champion does not want to take up a full time seat in order to defend his title. And he does have a point. Could you ever see a reality where Lewis Hammilton or Max Verstappen went to a part time program?
In an official statement released on the FIA website, it stated that
Under consideration will be the technical, sporting and promotional aspects of the FIA World Rally Championship. The group will also address the pathway for grass roots development of rallying.
and
An initial working paper will be presented for consideration by the WMSC and WRC Commission within two weeks.
The announcement was made during the Annual General Assemblies Week in Baku ahead of today’s World Motor Sport Council meeting. Since the comments were made by WRC drivers regarding the need for change, Elfyn Evans’ co-driver Scott Martin has joined the WRC Commission to provide drivers a voice in any future changes for the discipline. Proposals have since been collated and are expected to be presented to the World Motor Sport Council during today's meeting. It is understood that these proposals range from compressing WRC events by decreasing the length of road sections, to the introduction of a new points system.
It would seem that the future of Rallying, not just on a world level but also here in Britain is in good hands in people who have an active interest in the discipline. Ben Sulayem is not only the FIA President but is also a rally man himself, keen to see the sport grow. Back home, Huge Chambers has set the task to improve the situation at home. In a statement at the end of 2022, he stated that it was his intention to get the sport back where it belonged. We await the report in the coming weeks.
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