World Rallycross R3 - Mettet, Belgium

[tbtstt]

Entry lists now online for Mettet. World Rallycross Championship entries here:

http://media.rallycrossrx.com/docs/B...%20entries.pdf

European Rallycross Championship and Touring Car entries here:

http://media.rallycrossrx.com/docs/B...%20entries.pdf

49 Supercars (19 World/30 Euro)
19 Touring Cars
? RX Lites

[crossfades]

Will be rooting for Linneman in the ERX for sure!

[Hickey]

I was thinking, the split heats should make it less important to finish heats, especially in WRX. If all 50 ran together and you span out on lap 1, you could be 50th (depending if others also span out, DNS, etc). This was, you'll only be 19th on WRX or 30th in ERX. I think this is good news as previously ypu could crash in heat 1 and then ypu might as well go home.

[1975DCS]

I prefer mixed heats as it gives more variation during the days. WRX only is a bit like your missing something

[Hickey]

I think that there should be plenty of variation as it is with 50 cars. Last year only a handful of ERX cars could keep up with WRX so I don't see it making much difference to the grids. Rustad, K Hansen, Grosset-Janin and Linnerud maybe are the only ones who would get into top 10 or so of the WRX ...?

[crossfades]

I believe that splitting the series in two hurts the interest. For example in Höljes where usually there has been one "concuring" and winning driver, it will now be two in different series with different drivers. It kinda takes away the prestige of winning a round and it will not be as interesting for the fans in the bigger rounds where there traditionally has been two drivers. But I understand that splitting the series in two makes it more fair for the drivers and not many ERX drivers would make it in to the top ten too.

[Hickey]

But the overall winner is pretty much guaranteed to be one of the WRX guys. There's a reason that Duval et al enter the ERX, as they know they haven't a snowball in hell's chance against petter and the WRX guys. I understand the sentiment that it's David and Goliath and the chance for the little guy to mix it with the big boys is now lost. But Goliath was a myth, reality plays out not much more differently than split heats. I think this will be easier for casual fans to follow and, as you say, is fairer. Anyways, Mettet will provide the answer and I can't wait for it!!

[chunder]

I would be interested to know the amount an ERX entry pays compared to a WRX entrant.

For tv purposes, you will not see much of the ERX guys as they will never be in the same heats.

If you think that is a good thing in any way whatsoever, then I do not know what to say really.

[geordiecriag101]

Just a bit of heads up, Its the 3rd & 4th Rounds of the British RX this weekend and after winning Rd3, Kevin Proctor has retired from Rd4 with a blown engine. Will need to be a quick turn around if he is to take his place in the Euro RX.

[Hickey]

Kevin Hansen on twitter suggesting Hansen team are taking 5 208s to Mettet (with a pic of a black and red 208 in their garage). Think that livery means it's not Pal Kiss's car... so who is the extra Hansen 208 for?

[crossfades]

Originally Posted by Hickey

Kevin Hansen on twitter suggesting Hansen team are taking 5 208s to Mettet (with a pic of a black and red 208 in their garage). Think that livery means it's not Pal Kiss's car... so who is the extra Hansen 208 for?

The fifth car is probably for Fredrik Salsten

[Hickey]

Didn't realise he was using a Hansen car. Be interested to see how he does, should be competitive.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Hickey

But the overall winner is pretty much guaranteed to be one of the WRX guys. There's a reason that Duval et al enter the ERX, as they know they haven't a snowball in hell's chance against petter and the WRX guys.

Duval will enter WRX in Mettet.

[Hickey]

Oh yeah just seen that, I take that back then. Assumed he would do ERX as per last year. Should've double checked!

[1975DCS]

I really prefer Lydden from a point of view but the absence of the ERX boys really is a let down, making 2014 probably the last great race in Lydden. For now it's just not worth to cross the pond (from Holland)...

[Hickey]

Judging by the event timetable on rallycross.com I severely doubt that the ERX boys will get any TV coverage. Glad I'm going to the event!!

I think that's a big shame as judging on the coverage of the first two events there is enough time to fill at least the semi and finals and a quick review of the heats. Finals at Mettet are after TV coverage ends so no chance there.

The entrants must have been informed about that before signing up though, as would have been a big factor in getting sponsorship. I guess we will just have to wait and see. Would be good for ERX to get a separate TV deal like a lot of the support series for other events

[1975DCS]

Maybe its on YouTube I'm their 2 hour broadcast?

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Hickey

Judging by the event timetable on rallycross.com I severely doubt that the ERX boys will get any TV coverage. Glad I'm going to the event!!

I think that's a big shame as judging on the coverage of the first two events there is enough time to fill at least the semi and finals and a quick review of the heats. Finals at Mettet are after TV coverage ends so no chance there.

The entrants must have been informed about that before signing up though, as would have been a big factor in getting sponsorship. I guess we will just have to wait and see. Would be good for ERX to get a separate TV deal like a lot of the support series for other events

During the Portual round there was 15 to 20 minutes between semi's and final. Plenty of time to show Super1600. But they didn't.

Without coverage on tv or online it doesn't make sense to take part in ERX and other support classes.

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by 1975DCS

Maybe its on YouTube I'm their 2 hour broadcast?

The Montelegre round had no coverage of Super1600.

[Hickey]

Maybe they're not paying for TV coverage. Does anyone know the cost of entering the support categories per round?

[chunder]

I would be happy as larry to see ERX come away, but it will never happen sadly, there are unlikely to be enough works cars to support basically 20 car series or more.

You need supports, but they also deserve coverage, and if they get none they should rightly feel aggrieved.

It is up to them to do something about it. They probably do pay a small amount, far less than WRX, but I don't know.

I haven't watched any of it so far

[Barrie]

I do enjoy watching the main event, mainly because of Petter but the ERX interests me a lot more. Shame there's been a lack of coverage. With the amount of Supercars about these days it's crying out for an end of season Brands Hatch GP. Never happen now sadly.

[Stephen H]

Is anyone going to Mettet but not staying at the circuit?

Looks like the official camp site is full and tickets have gone off sale.

I'm struggling to find any where nearby to stay, so wondering if anyone knows of a nearby campsite?

[chunder]

When I thought about going I was going to stay at Chaleroi, there is an airport there, so plenty of hotels nearby, if you are going last minute that is probably your best bet

[Hickey]

Agree with chunder on that one. It's close too. We are staying in some tiny village nearby (still about 25km away) as there was a cheap hotel there that slept 4. Booking.com is usually excellent. Good luck!