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.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXhyzDcH09s[/youtube]