The rally is my favorite auto-motorsport. Drivers are fighting the environment, their own driving limits, and at the end their opponents. Amount of skill and mental strength needed is indescribable. You cannot compare that to a driving in circles on a nice cozy track.
However, sadly WRC from my youth is gone. The popularity of the series is at all-time low. People who are managing this sport do not have a solution to the problem. It does not even look like they are trying. Latest news is that they are considering having six miles long stages!? Rally events are already very generic. Not many unique events like it was decades before. Safari rally, driving at night, having very long stages... But, now they want them to be short as well.
In addition, it is understandable why media coverage in the past was not great but now in 2017, there is no excuse. We have TV highlights that are very formulistic and boring. Which is quite an achievement when you are covering exciting sport like a rally. Also, I have to mention Motors TV and their highlights that are 80% commentaries and 20% driving action. What kind of idiots are working there? Moreover, people from FIA are not providing us with live streaming and quality social media coverage. Why? In this day and age?
I think the problem also lies in changes in cars and car requirements. In the WRC-s hay day, emphasize was on innovation and performance. There were almost no limits and just a few regulations on what can be done on cars. Also cars were exiting to watch. Audi Quattro, Peugeot 205, Ford RS200 or Subaru Impreza and Mitsubishi Lancer. And today who dreams of owning a hatchback, something like Citroen DS3 or VW Polo. Not to mention all the rules and regulations they have now.
Decline probably started at the beginning of the new millennium. Loeb and Citroen become to dominant. Other manufacturers couldn't follow them financially and one by one they gave up. It is nice that some manufacturers are coming back now, but to what? There is not much money or popularity or boost in sales to be made. It is simply not fun anymore. Even the drivers are bore.
I, unfortunately, do not see any changes for the better in future. What is your opinion on this topic?
