Road positioning tactics could make an
unwelcome return to the WRC on the Rally of Spain, the WRC's only
fully mixed surface rally which takes place in two weeks time.
More commonly known as simply employing
'tactics', drivers slow on the final stage before the overnight halt
of each day on a gravel rally so as to have a more favourable
starting position on the road the next day. In dry conditions, the
further down the order you are the better road conditions you face,
with the top couple of cars clearing the loose top layer of gravel
from the racing line.
This is known to be disliked by
spectators and teams alike, the use of tactics was 'introduced' in
2008 and reached a climax towards the end of the 2 litre WRC car era,
when drivers were taking massive time penalties to drop themselves
down the order. There was even infighting in some teams over
positioning tactics.
However this all changed in 2011 when
Shakedown was used as a Qualifying Stage, the fastest driver choosing
the best position then the rest of the drivers taking part in
Qualifying choosing the remaining positions.
But, with the gravel leg of the Spanish
round of the WRC running on the final day, teams are worried they
could be forced to re-employ tactics. Organisers of the rally have
asked the FIA to reverse the running order for the last day of the
rally, but their request was denied. Even the teams themselves have
written to FIA Rally Committee director Jarmo Mahonen asking him, and
the FIA, to reconsider their choice.
"I really can't get my head around
this one. I thought we were moving forward and not having the crazy
situation which will happen. We told the FIA in Australia that we 100
per cent didn't agree with this and nothing has happened. We don't
want to what we had a few years ago." said Qatar M-Sport team
boss, Malcolm Wilson.
