Global Rallycross Championship 2013

[tbtstt]

Just spotted this video on You Tube and thought it might be of interest to some of you, its a look at this years Impreza GR rallycross car for the GRC...

http://youtu.be/Pl4rsfHMMaI

...Subaru seem to have closed up the technical divide with competition this year: the current GR Impreza looks a lot closer to its rivals (in terms of specification) than previous iterations.

[tbtstt]

Excuse the double post, but interesting article up on Bybillwood.com.

http://www.bybillwood.com/gmgrc-soni...b_source=pubv1

[tbtstt]

Forgive the triple post chaps, but interesting news from the Subaru camp:

http://www.bybillwood.com/mirra-wont-be-in-subaru-at-charlotte-grc/

Mirra is out of the team. Just need to get shot of Lasek now, then thats two seats free for some more experienced drivers.

I daresay the cars may still be less developed than their rivals, but surely bringing some stronger talent in would help.

[NaBUru38]

How about hiring back Petter Solberg...

[Distracted]

http://rallycross360.com/dave-mirra-...d-from-subaru/

This says he's still racing at Charlotte, just in a different car. Any thoughts? The article says it could be a Mini.

[rx-guru]

The Dodge Dart so far used by Bryce Menzies...?

[tbtstt]

Just seen it confirmed on Facebook by ERC24, Mirra in the Prodrive MINI:



Just seen this on Facebook as well:



Verdier in a Sonic?

[NaBUru38]

Verdier on a Scion tC? I'd prefer the Hackiroku, but still...

[crossfades]

Isachsen has still not used his new car in GRC ..

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by crossfades

Isachsen has still not used his new car in GRC ..

He hasn't? Are they saving it for next year then?

[crossfades]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

He hasn't? Are they saving it for next year then?

The last round for some reason

[Distracted]

There might be two Minis in the next round: http://www.prodrive.com/p_releases.html?id=413

[Distracted]

ESPN has decided to stop the overseas events- http://www.sportbusiness.com/sportbu...ope-and-brazil

Wonder what this means for GRC?

[NaBUru38]

Wow, I can't believe that the global expansion failed so epically.

[Distracted]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Wow, I can't believe that the global expansion failed so epically.

To be honest, I can. None of the tracks were ideal- too much crashing. It's a shame though. I would have liked to see it do well.

It's not just the Rallycross they've stopped- there will be no X-games outside of the USA.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Wow, I can't believe that the global expansion failed so epically.

I wouldn't have said it was an "epic" failure, there has been a degree of success to some of the events.

As Distracted says though, some of the tracks were not ideal and/or local conditions conspired against them (specifically thinking of Spain).

As a spectator though, the first corner carnage has been a repeat source of frustration. I really hope they downsize the grids (or seriously re-think the track design) for 2014.

[chunder]

I do actually think some of the events were watcahble, there seemed to be a genuine interest, and even cynics like me started getting into it.

But it seems they were very expensive to run and didnt make any moneyso they dropped it instantly, so it might not ahve been marketed very well either.

Lets be honest buiding a track in the middle of Brazil was not the best idea!! Must have cost a fortune and for what?

I dont like GRC as it is basically a one make series really.

But the damage situation has never been resolved and seems to be encouraged with the track designs!

[Distracted]

I think GRC could be a really good series if they could just get their acts together. There's some super competitive new cars coming through (like the Mini). It's just such a shame that the tracks don't give the drivers a chance at a fair race.

[USRallycross]

Also remember this is more about ESPN dropping international X Games as opposed to GRC.

I will place a bet that rallycross will not feature in X Games but it will be replaced by Gymkhana Grid. Look at the history of X Games - very few racing events left; Grid is really easy to understand (!); very cheap to set-up; has lots of tire smoke and the occasional crash into something.

Among the X Games audience, rallycross has become a little boring without the gap jump and even they don't like the tracks.

So GRC moves to US focus (good thing) but will take on more events (bad). Until they improve driving standards, the cost of competing is far too high for the exposure offered. They now have to focus on keeping ESPN.


Mark

[chasing cars]

So finally it would appear that certain people are realising that rallycross is not and should never been marketed as an extreme sport. From very early on I voiced a concern that not only was the gap jump dangerous but that it would become the main focus and for the new US fans it would not be rallycross without it. I fear that because of a few trying to make a quick buck by going for the extreme sport market it may kill any chance of rallycross becoming a big and successful form of Motorsport in the US.

[Distracted]

Originally Posted by USRallycross

Also remember this is more about ESPN dropping international X Games as opposed to GRC.

I will place a bet that rallycross will not feature in X Games but it will be replaced by Gymkhana Grid. Look at the history of X Games - very few racing events left; Grid is really easy to understand (!); very cheap to set-up; has lots of tire smoke and the occasional crash into something.

Among the X Games audience, rallycross has become a little boring without the gap jump and even they don't like the tracks.

So GRC moves to US focus (good thing) but will take on more events (bad). Until they improve driving standards, the cost of competing is far too high for the exposure offered. They now have to focus on keeping ESPN.


Mark

Do you think it's the driving that's the problem?

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by USRallycross

I will place a bet that rallycross will not feature in X Games but it will be replaced by Gymkhana Grid. Look at the history of X Games - very few racing events left; Grid is really easy to understand (!); very cheap to set-up; has lots of tire smoke and the occasional crash into something.

Among the X Games audience, rallycross has become a little boring without the gap jump and even they don't like the tracks.

Really? I thought that fans preferred 10 cars bumping each other like it's the end of the world, over two cars drifting alone.

I like both things (my motorsport tastes are very wide). But rallycross sounds more extreme than gymkhana.

[FIRE]

Gymkhana is boring.

I will not miss the X-Games events and I think it's a good thing for GRC. Hopefully they add some non oval tracks to the GRC schedule.

[rx-guru]

Fully agree! Gymkhana is boring, Drifting even more.

[Distracted]

I don't mind a bit of Gymkhana, but watching it all of the time would get dull. Drifting's not my thing, though I can appreciate the skills those drivers have.

Does anyone know why GRC isn't using Pikes Peak in Colorado any more? They seemed to have have a pretty decent track there a few years ago. (2011?) I know GRC are trying to tie rallycross in with NASCAR but from what I've seen those tracks aren't working out too well this year.