Currently, spectators can watch all special stages live from their sofas for a fee and listen to interviews both after stages and from the service park. In the future, the promoter wants to offer even more data to create a more immersive experience.
The promoter is developing a new “control centre” where all teams would be present, and, for example, conversations between drivers and engineers would be broadcast. The promoter feels that many stories go unseen because information is either kept secret or not effectively communicated.
“We’ll test data. What we want to do is test the the technology. But we won’t create the command centre or the outcomes of our tests until Monte Carlo next year,” said Simon Larkin, the event director of the WRC promoter, during the Rally Sardinia.
“We have tests going on at M-Sport. The evaluation centre, and then at their tests in Estonia coming up. So actual on site testing.”
If and hopefully when the new control centre is implemented in the WRC rallies, a familiar face may be involved. Former Hyundai team boss Andrea Adamo has been appointed to the project.
“We have a number of technical partners working with us. We have Andrea Adamo contracted to us to lead the project,” Larkin explained.
“So our plan is to test throughout this year but actually implement in the Monte Carlo”
It is not yet known what the new WRC control centre will look like.
“It may well end up being a building or a physical structure, but what we want to do is we want to create it, roll out robust, usable, interesting technology and storytelling,” Larkin emphasised.
“How that looks and feels may not happen in Monte Carlo, but the concept will be in place. This is a data and storytelling concept.”
Florian Ruth, the promoter’s content and communication manager, is also excited about the new control centre concept. The aim is to enhance the fan experience above all.
“The command centre will add another element to get a better storytelling. I think that will be a great tool,” Ruth summarised.
“I have spoken to broadcast partners about that already, and they all love the concept and they all love the idea. I mean, we’re always trying to push for new innovative things.”
