WRC have just release their 'Virtual Spectator' for PC on the site, link below.

For a small fee this will allow you to get at all the data for each rally whilst it's happening (with a short delay for processing at their end). I've not tried it fully yet but it looks very cool.

Once again the WRC boys have one over the F1 crowd!! :D

Software can be found at:

http://www.worldrally-online.com/ and look for the 'VS' link from there.

Cheers

Neil
Sussex
(and HUGE SWRT fan) http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/jump.gif

(usual disclaimers apply, I'm nothing to do with WRC blah blah...)

Just downloaded it and have watched the demo.

Quite cool - but needs some scenery.

Fantastic the way you can "equalize" the positions ie bring all the cars together just before a particular corner and let 'em go - shows you who's doing what sections well.

Still very new to me, so lots of other options still to explore - and no doubt plenty of new features still to come! :D

Shame we can't get this on our TV's though...


Rich :)

I agree but I think the main problem with scenery is it makes the download that much bigger and unless it looks right, it may detract from what we actually want to know, positions etc.

I've subscribed to the Spanish Rally for this weekend so will report back on what we get in a real race scenario.

They are stating that in due course 'real-time' (subject to sat delays) will be available to watch as the rally progresses, now that will be cool! :D If they can get this on digital interactive TV then that will be good as well, I see no reason why they can't.

As a start it's promising, it's just good to see that the FIA/Rally management are starting to realise what WRC can be in the future.

Neil
Sussex

Re: scenery - fair point.

Agreed - it is a very promising start.

I'd be interested to hear your comments after viewing a real rally using VS.

As a casual WRC fan, I doubt if I'll spend the time (and the money) downloading and viewing all of the stages of each rally from the outset. Seems a bit hard-core for me.

I'm sure, though, that before long, I'll will and I'll be hooked. :D

Rich :)

Yep,

Have downloaded it, seen the demo, and subscribed to Catalunya.

It's a good starting point and will interesting to see have it evolves. The subscription fee for each event certainly seems reasonable compared to the cost of Interactive F1 on digital TV.

Now I need to upgrade my PC to run the damn thing (properly).

It does look like it could be very good, as long as they improve the data delivery times.

As for TV, with the addition of F1 Interactive on Sky I wonder how long it will be before we get a WRC Interactive channel? Now that I would pay for! :D If the pricing was slightly lower say £7 or £8 for the weekend then I'd be happier to pay for that.

Neil
Sussex

Are any of the interactive F1 TV services worth the dosh? Standard coverage has been very frustrating on occasions this year - especially not getting to see Montoya and Schumi battling through the field in Malaysia.

Thought Virtual Spectator was slightly disappointing in terms of the graphics but still worth it if they manage to get the data downloads available within, say, an hour of the action.

Definitely interesting to see that the different cars/drivers are quicker on different sections of the stages.