Rallying’s solution

In reply to Jeremy Reseigh-watts ( Motorsport News, April 27), I have sympathy and, in general agree, with some of his sentiments around the WRC and about the spectacle being lost on modern cars, with the efficiency with which their engines and drivetrains work. But I feel he has overlooked a couple of points:

Banning the use of turbocharged cars alienates manufacturers as there is no platform to develop this very popular type of power unit now commonly found in many new cars.

Banning four-wheel-drive may be less of a problem to manufacturers, but this hardly worked for the BRC prior to its forced sabbatical year in 2015, owing to lack of manufacturer, competitor and spectator interest.

Taking the latter point, above, and adding to the first, you replace the present WRC situation with a pre2015 BRC, but with the absence of turbocharging. If that is not a retrograde step, I don’t know what is.

The R5 class (turbos and four-wheeldrive) for the all-new BRC has proved an overwhelming hit with everyone concerned and generated packed entry lists with top class R5 cars.

The notion that two-wheel-drive (let’s face it, front-wheel-drive) cars will improve the spectacle given the flop of recent BRC years in this format, is evidence that such a move is doomed to failure. If the old spectacle of 30 plus years ago is what Jeremy requires, then historic rallying is where it is for him. Leave the WRC to get on with it, the past has already been recreated for you.

Richard Weaver Via email