Rally boss rejects talk of crisis

Subaru are one of only two full works teams in World Rally

World Rally boss David Richards has hit back at talk of a crisis in the sport by insisting that the 2006 series will be at its most exciting for years.

Only two full factory teams - Subaru and Ford - line up for the season opener in Monte Carlo this weekend.

World champions Citroen joined Peugeot, Mitsubishi, Skoda and Hyundai in pulling the plug on their works teams.

"I think you are going to see a world rally with far more different faces on the podium," said Richards.

"You will see private competitors competing when they've never had the chance before.

"In many respects this is what the general public want, this is what builds demand and interest in motorsport."

To my mind it is a step forwards not a step backwards David Richards World Rally boss

Sebastien Loeb dominated last year and, although his Citroen team will no longer have a works presence, the Frenchman will still be behind the wheel of a Xsara as he looks for a third-straight driver's title.

The private Kronos Racing team are running his challenge and Richards sees Loeb's change in circumstance as a sign of the series' health.

"I think there is an extraordinary misunderstanding from most people," he said.

"Citroen last year had a factory team based in their factory outside Paris and they entered two cars. Sebastien Loeb won the world championship.

"This year the very same cars are being entered, in fact there's a third car, the very same drivers have been entered, but it's coming out of a private operation in Belgium.

"Now to my mind that is a step forwards not a step backwards. If anyone who understands it differently I would like that explained to me."

Angry Martin wants rally overhaul

Driver Markko Martin has been openly critical of the state of the rally series.

But Jacques Regis, president of the World Rally Championship commission of motorsport's governing body the FIA, joined Richards in defending the sport.

"I am very pleased with the depth and quality of the entry we have for Monte Carlo," he said.

"The top 20 crews all have the potential to be on the podium, so I believe we have an exciting season ahead of us."