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.
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.
Raikkonen is mad. He is going to get murdered.
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.
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!
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
It is certainly going to be an interesting season, can’t wait to see Kimi in action at Sweden!
Ed, any chance you or Rob does a story in an upcoming issue on Kimi’s move to WRC?
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
Don’t be so sure henry. He may be the one doing the murdering.
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