Global Rallycross Championship 2012

[tbtstt]

Yeah, I noticed that the Motors TV coverage had been carried the "ERX" tag last year but, as you point out, I'd assumed it was because the European Rally Championship was been shown on that channel.

Speaking of Racing Action (and I apologise for this being off topic), but whose decision is it to produce season review DVD's?

Do the powers that be behind the ERC have to sanction Rally Action (or someone else) to produce them or is it something that Rally Action do on their own accord?

[rx-guru]

Originally Posted by FIRE

I assume ERC is hiring Coureyn so I name that the official coverage.

CC has an agreement with ERA (the association of most of the ERC round organisers), not with the ERC (under FIA auspices).

[rallyloverke]

After all the ERX ERC EGRC ... stuff

We also see the name "RallyRacing" instead of Rallycross in a country

[FIRE]

Never understood that.
Okay maybe it's a better name but if everybody else is using 'rallycross' it makes no sense.

[rx-guru]

Originally Posted by rallyloverke

After all the ERX ERC EGRC ... stuff

We also see the name "RallyRacing" instead of Rallycross in a country

That is, at least for some countries, the best name possible to discribe what RX is all about and to get rid of the missleading "cross". I recommended the name RallyRacing already 30+ years ago in my reports. A couple of years ago the proposal went via the FIA Off-Road Commission as far as to the FIA World Council, the final step. But they refused to give permission to change the name.

[rallyloverke]

Eddi , what was their point to refuse that?

[rx-guru]

Their question was: For what reason should a 30+ year old name be changed?

And nobody was able then to tell them why. Simply unprepared for such a question…

[rallyloverke]

Originally Posted by USRallycross

(Very) good things come to those who wait.......had thought it would be a couple of weeks ago but there are always details. Inside scoop is very exciting and GRC hope to announce something this week.

All planning towards April 15......

One week almost passed again without any further details ? We are waiting

[1975DCS]

I am still not keen about the GRC at the moment, because I still believe this will kill the ERC in the end... Not as their intention, but because entry-levels of Div 1 stars will be to low in Europe...

I can't blame the American's, they have proven to be much better in social media and gaining attention and let's face it America is fascinating country, I've been there 3 times (West coast / Las Vegas / Phoenix + East coast / New York / Washington / Boston / Chicago) and would want to live there if I could!

[tbtstt]

Any news yet USRallycross? I'd like to know when the MSE plans for 2012 will be annouced!

[USRallycross]

Had hoped for a formal GRC announcement yesterday but one of the venues just changes to a much bigger and better place. All the events are now incredible. There are still a lot of dots to join up for the teams but the outcome is worth the delay.

Best Buy will announce its plans on April 5th with a launch at our Corporate Campus in Minneapolis. This event will be available in the UK over Livestream. We have another unique way to engage with the team but don't want to tell anyone about that yet!

I am not sure when OMSE will announce their plans. Assume you are most interested in Tanners plans - pretty sure he has renewed his passport!

One thing I have learnt these past six months is how much work goes into running the business side of a race team! Pulling together business partners, activation plans, fan engagement models, merchandise, travel and so on. The team doesn't receive sponsorship from Best Buy so I have to sell in to different business units with a clear ROI - there is no silver spoon here. Interesting side of life......

Mark

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by USRallycross

I am not sure when OMSE will announce their plans. Assume you are most interested in Tanners plans

Tanner, David, Marcus and MSE in general!

The Mk.7 Fez is my fave of the modern rallycross cars, so I'd like to know if I'm going to get a chance to see it in action this year!

[rallyloverke]

Announcement will be a bit to late to plan our holiday to America to be able to visit an event i'm afraid.

Never mind, it's about television and not about the local public/fans anymore i guess.

[USRallycross]

Sorry you won't be able to make an event but there will be more fans in attendance than ever before.

I can't speak for others but let's say Marcus isn't the most secretive person so you can guess where he will be in 2012! Think you will see some Fiesta's in Europe this year. Remember there is an "O" in OMSE - Olsbergs dont get enough credit for what they done for MSE's rallycross program and are a great owner to work with.

By my last count we are at around 20 "real" ERC A Final spec cars signed up for the GRC - and now enough top talent drivers to be on par with the ERC events. Then we should have a fair few other non-rally cars to complete the field (like the Subaru GD's we saw last year).

Mark

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by USRallycross

I can't speak for others but let's say Marcus isn't the most secretive person so you can guess where he will be in 2012! Think you will see some Fiesta's in Europe this year.

Hopefully "in Europe" includes the UK.

I've seen some translated articles on Gronholm indicating that he will be doing rallycross in 2012, just not saying where yet!

[Down F0rce]

Are the dates the same as previously posted?

[USRallycross]

No, there have been some date changes. The first event however is still April 15 and obviously X Games hasn't changed.

Mark

[NaBUru38]

How about the GT-R-engined Juke?

[USRallycross]

It is now official! GRC will support NASCAR Sprint Cup and IndyCar. Huge opportunity for the sport. More soon but this is BIG!

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2012/02/06/Leagues-and-Governing-Bodies/Global-RallyCross.aspx

Mark

[tbtstt]

Just saw the link on Facebook and was about to post it here... beaten to it! Good to see some definate news emerging at last.

[chunder]

Seeya Sverre

Oh dear, what a shame

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by chunder

Seeya Sverre

He's still indecisive... isn't he?

Thinking about it I guess the NASCAR association will be great for PR, but I guess we can rule out more quirky layouts like Twin Peaks last year?

Best Buy are promising some definate news this week as well (on Facebook), so hopefully get a clue as to what they and OMSE are doing in 2012.

[USRallycross]

I think the tracks will be interesting. Most of the NASCAR events while running on the same day as the Nationwide Series are on Sprint Cup weekends and that means a lot of haulers and fans - and not much room in the infield. However, the races are supposed to happen inside the oval so will immediately set records for fans at a rallycross event (!).

I met with Mike Helton (President of NASCAR) a couple of times last year and while this is with SMI it does bring the sport to a larger audience and will likely bring in Toyota and Chevrolet.

I believe the full GRC press release comes out tomorrow or Wednesday. Our release will follow shortly thereafter.


Mark

[chasing cars]

This has to be good from a PR perspective but I would be a little concerned that NASCAR spectators will see it as little more than a sideshow assuming they will be able to get a good close view of it. Will they use the oval part at all or just the infield?

I can understand Sverre wanting a new challenge though as far as strength in depth is concerned, at the moment to me that's like Man United deciding to play in the scottish premier because they've won all they can in england! At least he shouldn't have to worry about having to carry ballast

[USRallycross]

Not sure that Scottish Premier League is a fair comparison. When the field is announced I think you will find that many A Finalists from Europe will be running in the GRC then add in Pastrana, Block etc and the field is very strong - and very different to last year.

You now have Sverre, Tanner, Liam and Frode - 4 A Finalists; then add in Gronholm and the ones who are yet to announce. Pastrana is fast in anything and Andy made an A Final last year and is no slouch. Starting to get strength in depth.

Running with Nationwide on the Saturday will ensure that there is a GRC demographic on-site and will educate the NASCAR crowd. Racing is racing after all - plus you are now talking 1M+ TV audience for each round. ROI looks even better for sponsors and teams.

Mark