As the WRC Promoter changes hands and new technical regulations arrive in 2027, almost everything about the world rally championship is up for discussion. Every stakeholder agrees the WRC needs refining to help it grow and reach the potential we, as rally fans, know it has. But how do we do it?
Rally Estonia tried something intriguing this year by shortening the rally week, meaning both shakedown and the competitive action started on Friday. That allowed crews, team members, and mechanics to travel later and enjoy an extra day with their families. We certainly felt that benefit at M-Sport. Yet the topic that kept coming up when discussing Estonia was the show on Thursday night.
Rally Estonia has always staged an excellent ceremonial start, but this year organizers set up an open zone where drivers could simply go out and play. This is exactly what the WRC needs more of: entertainment. Our guys, in particular, put on an incredible show for the crowds with no competitive element or tire usage to worry about. They could do burnouts, donuts, and drifts—a far better spectacle than the traditional superspecial or spectator stage.
The beauty is there was no TC0 because shakedown, let alone the rally, hadn't even started. From an organizational perspective, that meant no need for controls, time cards, zero cars, or huge safety plans. They just fenced off an area and let the drivers send it. As a team, we were immediately in favor of this demonstration in Estonia when the concept was raised. Fans really enjoy this kind of show—as did our drivers—and we were free to change components too if we wanted, although they were linked parts with Rally Finland. That's what put drivers from rival teams off, but we were less concerned because if the parts couldn't last this show, they were going to fail anyway.
Drivers accept the need for spectator stages but they never tend to enjoy them, and they usually drive with a margin because they can't necessarily win the rally there but can very easily lose it. But with this drivers' playground, if you include a couple of barrels and maybe a little jump, then they can just play around and produce a far better spectacle. You could even still do it in an arena, like the stadium at Rally Islas Canarias, where there's plenty of seating, but just open it up for drivers to express themselves.
You don't even have to put the co-drivers in the car as there are no time controls. You could put guests in there instead and give them the chance to experience what it's truly like inside a rally car—something that's very hard to convey unless you've done it. This would be another promotional angle for the organizers, FIA, and WRC Promoter. The mechanics also benefit because they can work without the pressure of competition.
With this approach, Thursday night in the WRC could transform from a stiff ceremony into a stage of entertainment that brings fans closer to the real action. It's not just about pleasing the crowd; it's about adding value for everyone involved. The WRC needs more moments like this—where drivers can showcase their talent without pressure, and fans can watch up close. The future of rallying might indeed lie in how we harness these relaxed moments.
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