DAVID EVANS

“All the ingredients for a stunning title battle”

Some things never change. Forty years ago, rally fans were genuinely full of fever for the first ever Drivers’ World Rally Championship title fight. It had been a long time coming.

Prior to this the governing body had realised there was a need to recognise the drivers’ input into the sport by running the FIA Cup for Drivers – an award won by Sandro Munari and Markku Alen. But the drivers, understandably, weren’t terribly impressed and wanted their own world crown. And, in 1979, they got it. But, guess what, the start of that ’79 season was mired in controversy as the manufacturers and the powers that be argued over how many rounds they wanted to contest. Like I said, some things never change.

Back then, 12 was the new 11, with the new event coming in being New Zealand. It wasn’t hard to see the economic angle on the Europeanbased manufacturers’ point. Equally, recently elected FISA president Jean-marie Balestre would doubtless have argued the case for the word ‘world’ in the World Rally Championship.

It stayed at 12 for 1979 and no manufacturer would contest all rounds – the governing body, in fact, lowered the required number of scores to count from nine to seven in an effort to bring more teams.

That first year, right from the very start courtesy of Bernard Darniche’s debatable Monte Carlo win (rally leader Bjorn Waldegaard hit rocks mysteriously left in the road and lost the victory by six seconds), was full of controversy and intrigue. We will, no doubt, investigate that further as the season passes.

But, for now… Happy New Year and welcome to what’s going to be another absolute cracker of a WRC season. There’s so much to talk about, so much anticipation for the year ahead.

Sebastien Ogier’s back at Citroen. How’s that going to work? Can he fix Citroen’s return to WRC’S top table?

Our French friends will provide the answers to those questions as the season unfolds.

One thing is sure, however, Ogier won’t be far away. Sure, he’s never really been confronted with a car which was anything less than fit for the ultimate purpose, but let’s not forget what he managed in VW’S 2012 learning year. He and Julien Ingrassia used a Skoda Fabia S2000 to embarrass countless World Rally Cars. They won a stage and finished in the top 10 overall on seven of 12 outings.

And, how on earth can we possibly ignore Ott Tanak’s speed from the second half of the season. He’s the man. Has to be. Unless his colleagues Kris Meeke and Jari-matti Latvala are the ones to watch – they’ve got the same metal, same motivation.

Then again, 2019 has to be Hyundai’s year, doesn’t it? Especially with nine-time champion Sebastien Loeb in the squad – after 18 seasons in PSA Group Peuegot and Citroen machinery – freed and supporting its bid.

And let’s not forget M-sport and the Ford Fiesta WRC: it is a potential winner.

As was the case 40 years ago, the winner of this year’s drivers’ title is anybody’s guess.

Have a good year.