Rally boss wants driver nominations overhaul

Currently, teams must nominate two drivers to score manufacturers' points before every rally, enabling specialist drivers to be brought in for certain events. However, this often leads to non-nominated drivers finishing high up the leader board, without notching up any makes' points.

"I think the whole situation at the moment is confusing," Richards told this week's Autosport magazine. "I think it should be changed from the start of next year."

Team bosses were due to meet to discuss the possible regulation changes before this weekend's Catalunya Rally. Most are in favour of a change, but the problems arise when establishing exactly what the rules should be changed to.

Richards advocates each team having the same two drivers for an entire season, just like in Formula1, rather than bringing in specialists on different surfaces. Ford team boss Malcom Wilson agrees and said: "I would favour just two drivers."

An alternative is that the points go to the two highest finishers from each team, but smaller manufacturers are concerned that their more wealthy rivals will field three or four cars on an event, so as to have more chance of getting cars to the finish and into the points.

"Two cars should be nominated," said Skoda team manager Pavel Janeba. "That is the only way to encourage manufacturers like us to into the sport, as it gives us much more opportunity to score points."

A further concern is that with teams almost being forced to run three cars to stay in title contention, costs to compete in the series would spiral, going against the ethos of the championship.

"It goes against the spirit of the World Rally Car regulations, which is to limit costs and encourage more teams," said Tommi Makinen's Mitsubishi team boss Andrew Cowan.

Max Mosley, the president of motorsport's governing body, the FIA has echoed Cowan's sentiments and said: "The argument against scoring the first two drivers home is that it would put pressure on teams to have three or more cars in the rally, in order to maximise its chances. This might cause some manufacturers to withdraw for financial reasons."

A decision will have to be reached sooner rather than later as teams begin to make plans for 2002. Cowan added: "If you adopted a change in the system, you'd want at least 12 months' notice as driver plans are being made already."