I am sure that there is fault on both sides of the negotiating table on this one, but I would think that Speed would be responsible enough to get the contractual details worked out prior to the start of the rally season.

Anyway, the backlash is on. There has been an outcry from Speed viewers from across the county. They are flipping out on the Speed Network’s bulletin board, starting online petitions, and many of the people who have to pay extra to get Speed are canceling their subscriptions.

Many people feel Speed’s programming lineup has progressively been going down the tubes. An average Speed day is about 10 hours of the Barrett-Jackson Auction coverage and now even Sunday bobsledding – which has somehow been deemed a motorsport by Speed.

So if you care about the WRC, or even if you don’t, please put your name on the petition – and also, go to the Speed Channel’s feedback page and tell them to bring the WRC back. Maybe they will even read the feedback and find out that they are driving their channel into the ground.

Of course, that doesn’t seem to be the TV network way to do things. Most channels seem to be more concerned with getting ad money than providing quality programming to their core audience – and then they are shocked when they can’t get the ad dollars since their viewers have jumped ship.

It’s a damn shame I tell you – a damn shame.

Ok - this rant is over. Please sign the petition. Have a good week!