FIA World Rallycross Championship 2018

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

Ya I heard about that. That's awesome though. Good signs for the championship, it sounds like EKS will put up a good fight. I like how the team can test in actual race conditions.

[tbtstt 2,387]

Loeb, Timmy Hansen and Guerlain Chichiret have all entered the British Championship round at Silverstone next month. 

[tbtstt 2,387]

I heard rumours about it last week, but I just saw the news confirmed that the GRC will not be running Supercars in 2018. Supercars will be replaced by the "Gold Class": basically Lites with a few modifications. 

[sjoerdFTW 0]

tbtstt said:

I heard rumours about it last week, but I just saw the news confirmed that the GRC will not be running Supercars in 2018. Supercars will be replaced by the "Gold Class": basically Lites with a few modifications. 

that's a weird decision. But in the article they say its an upgraded lite but the want to take the supercars out of GRC. Why dont they replace the lites then?

[Ruben Correa Alves 28]

So that means no more Subaru, VW and Honda? Subaru is fielding Atkinson and Sandell in the American Rally Championship in select rounds so seems like they might be out of GRC then.

[KingOfCoins 286]

I’m kinda shocked why they would do this

[tbtstt 2,387]

There seem to be a lot of rumours circulating. I wonder if more will be said now the GRC decision has been made public.

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

So after an exciting calendar and all the work Subaru did the catch VW the stage was set for an epic comeback. Now we wont get to see the battle resume over 2018?! No supercars! Are they mad! Subaru is my favorite team and if I don't get to see them that will be a huge punch to the gut. I hope what you say is just a rumor.

[KingOfCoins 286]

I'd say its pretty much confirmed 
http://redbullglobalrallycross.com/news/latestnews/red-bull-global-rallycross-launches-gold-class-debut-2018/

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

I just looked at it. Well crap. I am so glad I got to see the Subarus live at GRC Seattle last year. It was a really good time watching them fight Ford, VW, and Honda. So they have this Gold Class and they have talks about the Platinum Class coming in 2019. So now the chain of racing classes goes.

Polaris RZR Class
GRC Lites
GRC Gold Class
GRC Platinum Class

[tbtstt 2,387]

DiRTKiNG808 said:

I just looked at it. Well crap. I am so glad I got to see the Subarus live at GRC Seattle last year. It was a really good time watching them fight Ford, VW, and Honda. So they have this Gold Class and they have talks about the Platinum Class coming in 2019. So now the chain of racing classes goes.

Polaris RZR Class
GRC Lites
GRC Gold Class
GRC Platinum Class

If I understand it correctly there are no regular Lites in 2018. This season will be:

Polaris RZR Class
GRC Gold Class

2019 onwards will be:

Polaris RZR Class
GRC Gold Class
GRC Platinum Class

[gfRally 449]

Ok, I get it for the drivers, its no fun to try to be competitive and be frustrated with the hardware.  But removing the manufactures from the event is why I don't like NASCAR (amongst many many other reasons).  I could go on and rant about why we all don't have self driving silver pods for us to get around in, but then I would be thinking like the GRC!

This is as disgusting as going all electric, its a sad state.

Maybe the Platinum Class will be the Supercars that we want.. MAYBE but I bet they are going with same engine and plastic shells to represent different manufactures (like NASCAR).

[EDIT] just read that Platinum class is all electric.  I think I am going to be sick..  

[Ruben Correa Alves 28]

To be honest I never really thought the current Rallycross engine sounds are THAT great. If I look at the things I find awesome about rallycross the current 1.6l engine sounds are pretty low on my list, way behind the ultra acceleration, coolbro powersliding, awesome car control and sweet racing you see with these cars.

So removing the sound is not necessarily a deal breaker at all for me. If anything, the other 4 aspects on my list can only improve due to the insta torque these electric engines provide. Would I rather have awesome engine sounds? Yeah. But lacking them is not the end of the world for me.

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

I think the current engines are 2.0L. Well, I am disappointed that the Supercars and gone in GRC. But, I'm not going to knock it until I watch it.

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

gfRally said:

Ok, I get it for the drivers, its no fun to try to be competitive and be frustrated with the hardware.  But removing the manufactures from the event is why I don't like NASCAR (amongst many many other reasons).  I could go on and rant about why we all don't have self driving silver pods for us to get around in, but then I would be thinking like the GRC!

This is as disgusting as going all electric, its a sad state.

Maybe the Platinum Class will be the Supercars that we want.. MAYBE but I bet they are going with same engine and plastic shells to represent different manufactures (like NASCAR).

[EDIT] just read that Platinum class is all electric.  I think I am going to be sick..  

I am not a big fan of all electric series. Imagine that live. You wouldn't come close to the same emotion and excitement.

[tbtstt 2,387]

DiRTKiNG808 said:

I think the current engines are 2.0L. Well, I am disappointed that the Supercars and gone in GRC. But, I'm not going to knock it until I watch it.

Yeah, the current engines are all 2.0L. As you say I am not going to knock the Gold Lites until they have raced, but I think the GR is going to need to get some decent entry numbers to justify this switch.

I disagree with the noise aspect. Yeah the current cars aren't that loud, but most of them do sound distinct and the spectacle they produce sitting on the start line is one the best things in modern motorsport (in my personal opinion). 

As I think I have said previously I am still on the fence with electric. I don't think performance will be compromised, but I do wonder how it will change the aforementioned spectacle. 

[RallyDriven 398]

tbtstt said:

DiRTKiNG808 said:

I think the current engines are 2.0L. Well, I am disappointed that the Supercars and gone in GRC. But, I'm not going to knock it until I watch it.

Yeah, the current engines are all 2.0L. As you say I am not going to knock the Gold Lites until they have raced, but I think the GR is going to need to get some decent entry numbers to justify this switch.

I disagree with the noise aspect. Yeah the current cars aren't that loud, but most of them do sound distinct and the spectacle they produce sitting on the start line is one the best things in modern motorsport (in my personal opinion). 

As I think I have said previously I am still on the fence with electric. I don't think performance will be compromised, but I do wonder how it will change the aforementioned spectacle. 

The main thing about noise is whether you’re seeing it on tv or live at the track. When you are actually there, the noise is all part of the atmosphere, and really does add to the experience 

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

tbtstt said:

DiRTKiNG808 said:

I think the current engines are 2.0L. Well, I am disappointed that the Supercars and gone in GRC. But, I'm not going to knock it until I watch it.

Yeah, the current engines are all 2.0L. As you say I am not going to knock the Gold Lites until they have raced, but I think the GR is going to need to get some decent entry numbers to justify this switch.

I disagree with the noise aspect. Yeah the current cars aren't that loud, but most of them do sound distinct and the spectacle they produce sitting on the start line is one the best things in modern motorsport (in my personal opinion). 

As I think I have said previously I am still on the fence with electric. I don't think performance will be compromised, but I do wonder how it will change the aforementioned spectacle. 

I love the sound of the current 2.0L engine. I think it sounds awesome. Each car does sound different and when I was at GRC Seattle you could feel the Revs in the grandstand and you could feel every shift in your chest! They sound amazing.

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

Reading this, it doesn't sound like Platinum GRC will be electric. They say engine.

http://redbullglobalrallycross.com/news/latestnews/global-rallycross-launches-grc-champions-cup/

[tbtstt 2,387]

DiRTKiNG808 said:

Reading this, it doesn't sound like Platinum GRC will be electric. They say engine.

http://redbullglobalrallycross.com/news/latestnews/global-rallycross-launches-grc-champions-cup/

Didn't get round to posting this here yesterday, but a very interesting development. I know Max Pucher has been quite vocal about the direction of the World Championship, but MJP Racing linking up with the GRC surprises me.

[gfRally 449]

@tbtstt Looks like Lydden Hill will be the debut of the Platinum class (demo).  So you guys will see it first.  So they say it will be one chassis/engine for all, BUT manufactures are welcome?  Sounds just as I partially feared that its turned into NASCAR with standardized engines/chassis with optional "plastic" body replicas of whatever car you may like.



I hate to dog on GRC so much, I used to like the series, but it has gotten progressively worse with each track design.  I loved the rather unsafe X-Games gap jump, unfortunately Grunholm was a casualty of that.  However they have really screwed up with the new direction, its taken almost every element out that gave me reason to watch.

[tbtstt 2,387]

gfRally said:

@tbtstt Looks like Lydden Hill will be the debut of the Platinum class (demo).  So you guys will see it first.  So they say it will be one chassis/engine for all, BUT manufactures are welcome?  Sounds just as I partially feared that its turned into NASCAR with standardized engines/chassis with optional "plastic" body replicas of whatever car you may like.

Yeah, I wonder if the debut of this new class at Lydden this year is something to try and soften the blow for the loss of the Supercars @gfRally? I still don't think Lydden were aware of the drastic changes to the Championship when they signed up (or even when they announced the GRC was coming a couple of weeks ago).

gfRally said:

I hate to dog on GRC so much, I used to like the series, but it has gotten progressively worse with each track design.  I loved the rather unsafe X-Games gap jump, unfortunately Grunholm was a casualty of that.  However they have really screwed up with the new direction, its taken almost every element out that gave me reason to watch.

Yeah, Gronholm was the victim of piss poor track design. Placing an immovable concrete block on the inside of a corner was absolute lunacy on the part of the organizers. That was a lucky escape for Marcus and a real shame for spectators that it was his last time competitively driving a rallycross car. 

I have struggled to maintain interest in the series the last couple of years, but it seemed to have a renewed purpose for this year and a return to Lydden made it seem like it was trying to earn it's "Global" title. The last couple of news announcements make me wonder what is happening behind the scenes. 

[DiRTKiNG808 15]

I think the actual racing in GRC Gold and Platinum classes will be good. If you look at Indycar now they all have the same chassis. There are two engine suppliers (Chevy and Honda) and the racing is really, really good. More then half the gird has the opportunity to win a race. So if GRC can recreate that for Rallycross I think it will catch on.

[RallyDriven 398]

tbtstt said:

gfRally said:

@tbtstt Looks like Lydden Hill will be the debut of the Platinum class (demo).  So you guys will see it first.  So they say it will be one chassis/engine for all, BUT manufactures are welcome?  Sounds just as I partially feared that its turned into NASCAR with standardized engines/chassis with optional "plastic" body replicas of whatever car you may like.

Yeah, I wonder if the debut of this new class at Lydden this year is something to try and soften the blow for the loss of the Supercars @gfRally? I still don't think Lydden were aware of the drastic changes to the Championship when they signed up (or even when they announced the GRC was coming a couple of weeks ago).

gfRally said:

I hate to dog on GRC so much, I used to like the series, but it has gotten progressively worse with each track design.  I loved the rather unsafe X-Games gap jump, unfortunately Grunholm was a casualty of that.  However they have really screwed up with the new direction, its taken almost every element out that gave me reason to watch.

Yeah, Gronholm was the victim of **** poor track design. Placing an immovable concrete block on the inside of a corner was absolute lunacy on the part of the organizers. That was a lucky escape for Marcus and a real shame for spectators that it was his last time competitively driving a rallycross car. 

I have struggled to maintain interest in the series the last couple of years, but it seemed to have a renewed purpose for this year and a return to Lydden made it seem like it was trying to earn it's "Global" title. The last couple of news announcements make me wonder what is happening behind the scenes. 

I heard from a source in the know that Gronholm was pretty seriously injured from that, possibly life changing injuries. But there’s no word on it anywhere, so either it was covered up/not reported or that wasn’t true

[tbtstt 2,387]

RallyDriven said:

tbtstt said:

gfRally said:

@tbtstt Looks like Lydden Hill will be the debut of the Platinum class (demo).  So you guys will see it first.  So they say it will be one chassis/engine for all, BUT manufactures are welcome?  Sounds just as I partially feared that its turned into NASCAR with standardized engines/chassis with optional "plastic" body replicas of whatever car you may like.

Yeah, I wonder if the debut of this new class at Lydden this year is something to try and soften the blow for the loss of the Supercars @gfRally? I still don't think Lydden were aware of the drastic changes to the Championship when they signed up (or even when they announced the GRC was coming a couple of weeks ago).

gfRally said:

I hate to dog on GRC so much, I used to like the series, but it has gotten progressively worse with each track design.  I loved the rather unsafe X-Games gap jump, unfortunately Grunholm was a casualty of that.  However they have really screwed up with the new direction, its taken almost every element out that gave me reason to watch.

Yeah, Gronholm was the victim of **** poor track design. Placing an immovable concrete block on the inside of a corner was absolute lunacy on the part of the organizers. That was a lucky escape for Marcus and a real shame for spectators that it was his last time competitively driving a rallycross car. 

I have struggled to maintain interest in the series the last couple of years, but it seemed to have a renewed purpose for this year and a return to Lydden made it seem like it was trying to earn it's "Global" title. The last couple of news announcements make me wonder what is happening behind the scenes. 

I heard from a source in the know that Gronholm was pretty seriously injured from that, possibly life changing injuries. But there’s no word on it anywhere, so either it was covered up/not reported or that wasn’t true

It wouldn't surprise me if something more serious wasn't reported. Gronholm has tested cars since, but never engaged in competition again: at this point I am sure he would have been tempted back into racing unless there was some medical reason why he couldn't. 

They had to cut the car to shreds to get him out of it: you don't do that unless it's a pretty serious injury!

As for how the GRC is going to pan out, I don't know. It's pretty frustrating that the GRC had an international specification class that did, at least on paper, allow competitors to move between both US and European Championships. Now the GRC seems to be going off on a tangent - and bringing that tangent into Europe - which is going to force drives to pick a side. It seems like this is dividing the sport rather than strengthening it...

...but it's early days though, so hopefully I've got it wrong.