WRC - a dying sport?

I went along to the Welsh rally this year, in September just for the day with my brother. We had a fantastic day, despite each section being £25 pp with no re-admission! However, we saw plenty of awesome cars, old and new, and got surprisingly close - as proved with my picture of the 206 below!

However, I've always been a fan of the Group B rallying, due to the monstrous power and sounds of the cars, and I personally feel that the modern WRC is lacking in comparison. It isn't so much about the cars, as safety regulations have restricted them since Group B - and the restrictions actually make for very competitive racing! So, if it isn't the cars that disappoint me, then what is it?

It's you guys! Where are you?! Well, I think I'd better develop on that point. Take a look at this picture below, taken on a rally stage exactly 30 years ago. I haven't specifically chosen this one, all I did was type 1982 WRC rally crowd into Google and pick the first relevant one! Anyway, take a look at it, notice the huge crowd? Now take a look of the modern one, see any differences?

(1)

(2)
Now, clearly there are more crowded areas on modern rally stages, but this is the general view at any given point, and I think is what has lead to very poor television footage and rising prices of the WRC these days. So, what can be done about this? - Simple, take a look at the 2013 calendar when it comes out, find one you like the look of, and take a trip down for a weekend and have a great time! The WRC is a fantastic event and I'd love to see it come back as a mainstream sport.

Here's a few of my favourite pics I took from the 2012 Welsh rally, I hope you like them!

Image sources:
Here (1)
and here (2)