GCK, GRX (hopefully with three cars), Münnich, 1-2 Fabias, possibly 2x Hansen(There were some positive vibes after the China meeting), possibly SLR with 1 or 2 cars, and then the assorted privateers. It's not huge, but not that much fewer than 2018. I can see the non-European rounds struggle with entries.
However, this opens up for teams like OMSE to get back in to it, I know they've said they've pulled out for 2019, and I think thats the likely outcome, the whole "our budget is way to small to compete with factory teams" are now gone. They would, together with GCK and GRX be the top teams.
Also, I do hope some of the teams that have pulled out, actually sells their cars. I see no reason to keep all Audi, VW's and Peugeots locked down.
Lastly, seeing all manufacturers pull out, might be a good thing for privateer entries. IMG should get desperate, and "dump" entry prices, and we'll have a chance to get closer to the first couple of WRX seasons with many drivers, no real factory teams. Like RX should be.
However, IMG really needs to be properly on it, and I have my doubts about that.
Mainly, I just hope that we won’t lose any more cars. I think we had 15 entries for COTA this year? I hope for at least 16 permanent entries, because it would look terrible if there weren‘t even as many cars as there are points positions. (Then again, Bennett and Demoustier apparently managed to score negative points this year (engine penalties?), so what do I know.
It‘s true that WRX just got massively more attractive for privateers, but this late in the year, I don‘t think many brand-new programmes could be set up. Maybe the Solbergs can field Oliver‘s DS3?
That being said, the EKS Audis appear to be openly for sale, if I remember their press release correctly. I‘d struggle to see anyone running the VWs, though, especially if they‘re thinking about coming back in some capacity. I‘d like for OMSE to come back. The car was an absolute dud, especially compared to the other new cars, but looked fabulous and might profit from a bit of extra development.
It‘s also true that IMG haven‘t exactly looked in control for the last couple of months, watching as team after team pulled out. I hope they can get their act together, but I‘m struggling to find positives in their recent performance that I could pin said hopes on.
Lastly, one argument I‘ve come across quite a bit recently in the proverbial trenches that are Facebook and Twitter comment sections these days is that this is all the fault of the electric switch. Personally, I suspect that if eWRX had become a thing for 2020, we‘d still have Peugeot, PSRX, and perhaps EKS & even the Hoonigan Fords on the entry lists for 2019, and we could give the old cars the send-off they deserve on the big stage next year. As it is, the constant maneuvring and delays, while temporarily placating the fans, might have actually cost IMG and WRX as a whole dearly.
