BBC pulls out of live stages
Rallying on television is not the way forward for the sport according to the BBC
The decision to abandon screening live world championship rallying next year was made even if the Corporation regained the filming contract from Bernie Ecclestone's ISC company.
Series producer Mark Wilkin said, 'Live TV isn't the way for rallying to go. Whatever the FIA decides to do with the format for next season, we won't be showing the final stage live on television.
'We couldn't interrupt our coverage of our other major sports, such as the Open golf or Wimbledon.'
All events next year will finish on Sunday with a special stage to be shown live on TV, the winner of which receives three extra championship points, a move which has already caused disquiet among drivers.
The BBC's decision has not been favourably met by teams. Spokesmen for both Mitsubishi and Toyota were angered by what many saw as an arrogant attitude from the BBC.
'It's not as though they've got much live sport worth showing,' claimed one.
Another team spokesman said, 'If it isn't going to be shown live on ITV then why on earth are we bothering with it.'
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