Ford want superspecial finales

Currently some rallies have spectator superspecials to end the event, but after three days of fighting through many kilometres of regular stages, the superspecial is short and has virtually no bearing on the overall result.

Ford Team RS director Jost Capito wants the sport to run a meaningful superspecial event at the end of each rally that guaranteed an exciting finish, thereby attracting television coverage to the sport.

Capito, who has again reaffirmed Ford's commitment to the WRC over the Monte Carlo Rally weekend, said that such a step would keep the Blue Oval in the WRC for the longer term.

Ford are currently on the second season of their present four year-commitment to the championship.

Capito said: "We need to develop a format for WRC rallies that keeps the spirit of rallying as an endurance sport, but which also offers an exciting finish to events on Sunday afternoons that will attract broadcasters to live coverage.

"This is absolutely vital for Ford, in order to stay in the championship for the long term.

"We will make a proposal for rallies to conclude with a superspecial stage on Sunday afternoon in a major stadium.

"It would be a test that reflects the standings of the rally from Friday to Sunday, but still would have an impact on the final results. It would be easy to understand by the general public and not only by rally enthusiasts who understand the regulations in detail.

"Together with the FIA, ISC, organisers, manufacturers and drivers, we will develop a detailed proposal which I hope will lead to the approval of the FIA World Council this year."

The idea is not new. At last September's Wales Rally GB, Sebastien Loeb discussed one similar proposal, and the Frenchman said back then: "This is not what the sport is about.

"There would be zero reason to fight on the proper stages of if the rally is going to be decided on two kilometres in a stadium or something like that."