Future changes abound

The World Rally Championship Commission met recently in London, England to discuss upcoming possible changes to be made by the FIA in 2005. The apparent changes would be to improve the show viewed by spectators and television viewers - along the lines of what Formula One and the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) currently display - a spectacle for the fans!

Among its changes, the FIA is again considering a change in the point system that was just installed for the 2003 season. Under consideration is the award of points after each leg, thereby increasing the total available points for the season.

Again, this idea is along the lines of NASCAR which at the moment is revamping their long-held point system. One now has to wonder if the FIA is following the footsteps of NASCAR.

To top if off, the FIA may make changes to reduce the cost of competing, much the same as what Championship Auto Racing Teams, Inc (CART) did in a failed attempt to keep their series afloat.

Most of the competition changes would be based on restrictions to the number of allowed tires and changes in design rules to allow future WRC cars to be maintained and built less expensively. All of these ideas are very similar to CART's past changes and regulations for its Champ cars.

Then there will be the finalization of the the WRC calendar, mainly to avoid having competing race weekends in WRC and F1. At the end of 2003 events had to be moved so that the 2004 calendars do not conflict. The new idea is to set calendars in advance by up to three years.

All of these above ideas and other further decisions will be discussed and possibly finalized at the next World Council meeting set to take place on March 24, 2004.