A new view of WRC
It’s easy to forget the World Rally Championship when a Formula 1 season looks set to be as exciting as this year’s does. However, this year rallying doesn’t look like it’ll be taking such a back seat.
Not only have Kimi Räikkönen and American extreme driver Ken Block arrived on the scene, at the championship launch yesterday (Tuesday) series promoters North One Sport announced a whole host of new developments.
Things are already looking up for the WRC after last year’s Loeb/Hirvonen showdown at Rally GB attracted 61 million television viewers worldwide. This year, though, the coverage is expanding even more, with new deals with networks in Finland (no surprises there…), Australia, Italy, Scandinavia, Portugal, France, the USA (no doubt thanks to Kenny of the Block), China, the Middle East, Greece, South America and New Zealand.
Add to this live television starting at Rally Sweden, aerial coverage and onboard footage and things are starting to look particularly interesting.
So, 2010 WRC here we come. If the coverage is as good and comprehensive as they are making out, then I’ll certainly be watching Kimi and Ken trying to match the likes of Loeb and Hirvonen.
See below for the 2010 launch video.
Filed under: Blogs, Personalities, Rally, Videos
Tags: Ken Block, Kimi Raikkonen, Mikko Hirvonen, Sebastien Loeb
Ed returned from a stint in Milan, working on the Italian version of Autocar, and joined the team in August 2007. After two years of countless scooter accidents and a constant battle against coffee addiction it was a relief for him to start writing in his mother tongue. As well as managing the website, Ed writes various features and is a regular contributor to CNN, Channel 4, Sky News, the BBC and a number of radio stations. He was also awarded the MSA/Renault Young Motoring Journalist of the Year in January 2009. 
Keith Dengate:
February 3rd, 2010 4:25pm
Fantastic, I can’t wait for the new season to get underway, except I won’t be able to see any of it on TV as I don’t have the right satellite channel. Please, please can we have Rally coverage on BBC or ITV. A slot like Ski Sunday showing highlights would be fine.
Henry Stanton:
February 3rd, 2010 9:29pm
Raikkonen is mad. He is going to get murdered.
Kevin Woeller:
February 4th, 2010 4:41pm
Very good news for Ken Block! This might help WRC to get the U.S. back to covering it again! Here in the U.S.A. , if you are a Stage Rally fan, you get very little coverage. I hope our TV package draws the Motorsport media back to rallying.
Bob Smith:
February 4th, 2010 5:34pm
Having Ken Block in the WRC is fantastic! He will represent the States and Ford on a global stage with great professionalism.
I’m looking forward to seeing him run in the “Rally America” round in Missouri later this month. GOOD LUCK here and in the WRC!
Michael Spitale:
February 5th, 2010 1:24am
Kevin we will get WRC on HDNET channel… the only probelm is it will take 2 weeks to get it after each race which stinks
Ed, thanks for keeping us up with Rally and what Kimi is up to…. even if he is not as fast as the top guys he will help the sport grow no doubt
Nadia:
February 5th, 2010 6:58am
It is certainly going to be an interesting season, can’t wait to see Kimi in action at Sweden!
Michael Spitale:
February 6th, 2010 1:15am
Ed, any chance you or Rob does a story in an upcoming issue on Kimi’s move to WRC?
Mario Carneiro Neto:
February 6th, 2010 8:07am
Raikkonen’s a finn, and it’s in their blood. He won’t be Loeb, but in the tradition of Allen, Makkinen, Toivonen and all the other ‘nens, he won’t suck
jose:
February 6th, 2010 3:58pm
Don’t be so sure henry. He may be the one doing the murdering.
rob widdows:
February 7th, 2010 11:34am
Yes, I am working on this, and will possibly be talking to Raikkonen in Sweden if Citroen, Red Bull, various minders and assorted PR operatives can get me to him.
I am keen to do this story of course, but in 2010 these matters are considerably more complex than they were in, say, 1980.
One thing is for sure, he will be fast. How often he finishes is the big question…………..Whatever, it’s intriguing.
That Raikkonen’s face no longer fits in F1 is a real shame. He is a wonderful driver to watch when he’s having a good day. No, he’s not chatty, and he doesn’t do PR too well. But he’s a Finn.
RW