The Julian Porter Interview with RallyBuzz
Image supplied by Julian Porter
After the mud and cold of Wales Rally GB, RallyBuzz catches up with WRCTV's Julian Porter to ask him about his memories of Stage End reporting and what he expects from 2009 and the future of the WRC.
RallyBuzz: Hi Julian and welcome to RallyBuzz.com. So where did your interest in rallying come from?
JP:
My family is in the motor trade and father competed, so it was just natural that I became involved. I started with Go-Karting followed by 2 seasons in circuit racing before finally moving into rallying in 1992. I stopped rallying at the end of 1999 and moved into the TV role from mid July 2000 and have only missed 2 WRC events since.
RallyBuzz: What is your most memorable stage end and why?
JP:
There are so many to mention after 8 years and it's impossible to pick just one but here are a few examples of my favourites:
Marcus in Mexico 2004 when was complaining about the Peugeot 307 power steering - "I'm sick of this car"!!.Petter Solberg in Japan 2005 when he hit a rock and crashed out while leading on the penultimate stage. It took over an hour to get him to do the interview then when he did it he just walked away in tears when I started asking questions.
Marcus again in Finland 2004 with the 307 when after being the fastest through Ouninpohja with 3 gears said "now you can tell Carrado (team manager) that 3 gears is enough".
Gigi in Spain 2005 when I questioned him about his speed, his response was that "you should drive if you feel you could do better"!
End of Whaanga Coast New Zealand 2008 when Mikko had a puncture then spun and lost the lead with 1 stage to go.
Last stage in Sweden 2008 when Jari-Matti won his first ever WRC rally.
Last stage of GB 2008, the battle between Sebastien and Jari Matti and telling Sebastien that he'd won.
Last stage of New Zealand 2007 and telling Sebastien that he'd been beaten by 0.3 of a second.
Penultimate stage of GB 2008 telling Sebastien that he'd been given a 10 second jump start penalty. His face was a picture and I think he thought I was joking, I had to tell him 3 times before he actually started to believe me.
JP:
During 2008 160 stage ends, the occassional action shot in stage and a dozen or so interview sessions in service. On average we cover about 1000kms per event.
RallyBuzz: The WRC in 2009 will take in 12 events, which events are you looking forward too?
JP:
I look forward to all the events but if I had to pick three I would choose Norway just because of the amount of the snow and proper snowbanks. Ireland will be a challenge with it being held at the end of January/beginning of February. Finally Australia is always a great place to go to as they always run a good event but it will be interesting this year as the event is moving from Perth in Western Australia to the Gold Coast.
Image supplied by Julian Porter
RallyBuzz: Who is you're rallying hero?
JP:
It's hard to single out just one person but on the list would be Carlos Sainz, Marcus Gronholm, Tommi Makinen for their achievements. Obviously I can't not mention Sebastien Loeb for what he's already done and is continuing to do - he's just smashed about every record there is.
RallyBuzz: The next few years in the WRC will see tremendous change for everyone involved from spectators though to drivers. What would you like to see, if anything changed in the sport?
JP:
We need more teams and I hope between the FIA and the teams they can encourage more Manufacturers to participate. I'd also like to see us go back to 3 car teams with the first 2 cars to the finish scoring points because this opens up seats so that teams can maybe try a young driver in the 3rd car. Also I'd like to see Safari rally make a comeback.
The making of WRC TV
RallyBuzz: In the 2009 McKlein Desktop Rally Calendar, Colin Clarke has his photo showing him doing an interview, jealous?
JP:
I had already heard about this - from Colin of course but as I said to him he might have his picture on a calender but I've already got my own feature on wrc.com! Seriously Colin and I are good friends and work together on WRC events and although there's always plenty of banter between us I can honestly say there's no rivalry between us.
RallyBuzz: And finally what is your tip for the 2009 Manufacturers and drivers championships?
JP:
It's very hard to look beyond Sebastien Loeb for the drivers championship. As for the Manufacturers, I wouldn't be surprised if Ford regain there title as Jari Matti will be much stronger in his second year as a works driver.
Image: Chris Harrold
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