World Rally targets four manufacturers
World Rally Championship promoter ISC is aiming to have four manufacturers in the series in 2011
In the last decade, there have been as many as seven manufacturers, but ISC chairman Neil Duncanson says that number is too high.
He believes that two manufacturers joining Citroen and Ford and a growth in the number of customer teams is the best way for the sport to develop.
"There's no question that I would like a couple of manufacturers to come in and join the two we already have," he said. "But I don't want any more than four.
"When North One Television came in to the WRC as a television partner in 2000, there were seven manufacturers and I don't think that was effective at all.
"Beyond the fourth manufacturer, the other three didn't stand a chance of winning a rally or even coming close to a podium. I don't think that was particularly healthy for those manufacturers."
Proton, Skoda, Abarth and Volkswagen have all been rumoured to be close to a commitment to the WRC in the near future.
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends The outrageous mountain-climbers that became Pikes Peak legends
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies Ranking lost WRC legend Richard Burns' 10 best rallies
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
World Rally Championship launches own channel on Motorsport.tv
World Rally Championship launches own channel on Motorsport.tv World Rally Championship launches own channel on Motorsport.tv
Mikkelsen targets World Rally Championship return on Rally Monza
Mikkelsen targets World Rally Championship return on Rally Monza Mikkelsen targets World Rally Championship return on Rally Monza
VW: World rallying's reluctant favourite
VW: World rallying's reluctant favourite VW: World rallying's reluctant favourite
Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 deal could be signed "tomorrow"
Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 deal could be signed "tomorrow" Hamilton: New Mercedes F1 deal could be signed "tomorrow"
Le Mans test day: Ferrari ends running fastest
Le Mans test day: Ferrari ends running fastest Le Mans test day: Ferrari ends running fastest
Alonso: Aston “didn’t have the pace” in Barcelona F1 race
Alonso: Aston “didn’t have the pace” in Barcelona F1 race Alonso: Aston “didn’t have the pace” in Barcelona F1 race
Mercedes fined over F1 Spanish GP parc ferme rules breach
Mercedes fined over F1 Spanish GP parc ferme rules breach Mercedes fined over F1 Spanish GP parc ferme rules breach
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal How Rovanpera fired the WRC a timely reminder of his class in Portugal
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough How Evans ended his WRC drought in sombre Croatia breakthrough
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland How the WRC title fight ignited in Sweden's winter wonderland
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival Why Monte Carlo success could spark another past master’s WRC revival
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master How fired-up Ogier became the WRC's ultimate Monte master
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling How Lancia pulled off its famous Monte Carlo giantkilling
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion Why M-Sport has pinned all its efforts on a WRC reunion
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.