The World Rally Championship (WRC) is set to conduct a “real-world” test of a new live data system during the 2024 Tet Rally Latvia.
The new live data system is part of the WRC Promoter’s strategic plan to enhance broadcast coverage and improve fan engagement ahead of its official introduction for the 2025 season. Testing will take place at Rally Latvia as it makes its debut as a host for the WRC.
The new live data system, dubbed the “Command Centre,” aims to revolutionize how rally events are communicated to fans. By extracting more data from the cars, the WRC intends to increase live interaction between crews and their teams, similar to the team radio systems used in Formula 1.
This initiative is expected to provide viewers with deeper insights into the unfolding stories during events, enhancing the overall spectator experience.
WRC Promoter has collaborated closely with teams and manufacturers to develop this technology. The project is being led by Andrea Adamo, the former Hyundai WRC team principal, who brings extensive experience in rally management and data analysis. The goal is to create a robust system that can effectively transmit data in real-time, allowing for better decision-making and strategy adjustments during the rally.
The initial testing of the live data system has already shown promising results. During a pre-event test, the system was fitted to Adrien Fourmaux’s car, and the data transmission proved to be highly effective. WRC event director Simon Larkin expressed satisfaction with the initial results.
“The delivery of data was quite effective and more effective than we thought,” he said. “This positive feedback has encouraged the WRC to proceed with further testing.”
The live data system has already been installed in Mārtiņš Sesks’ Ford Puma Rally1 at Rally Latvia. This setup will allow WRC organizers to analyze its performance in a competitive environment.
Notably, the data will be accessible only to the WRC team and not to Sesks’ own team, which will provide a more controlled testing environment. This approach is designed to gather valuable insights into how the system operates under real rally conditions.
The WRC plans to expand the testing phase to more events this season. Following the Rally Latvia, there are plans to implement the system in Finland, potentially involving one car from each team. The aim is to gather comprehensive feedback and refine the technology further.
The WRC may also begin testing a single radio system In Greece, which would improve communication between teams and drivers. Larkin emphasized the importance of thorough testing before the system is rolled out for regular use.
“We want it to be robust and useful,” he stated, highlighting the need for reliability as the championship moves forward.
