MJW
31st May 2010, 19:07
Hope I don't break any rules by this, but check out the whole magazine at http://www.gpweek.com. really is a great read every Monday.
Jean Todt in Portugal. Saying the same thing again, but still words no action.
Speaking in Portugal after watching the first day of the world
championship rally, FIA President Jean Todt declared "I have
been to Jordan and I have now seen this rally in Portugal, but I
am more ambitious for rallying.
“While I have great respect for the organisers, manufacturers
and promoters involved, I have expectations for more to come
out of FIA world championship events.
“The world championship events will continue the way they
are, but we are making changes in the format. I do not like to see
rallies which start at 9 in the morning, have a two-hour lunch halt
and finish at 5. It is simply not the way I see rallying.
“I know (that organising a rally) it is huge work. We are taking all
that into consideration. But what was true 20 years ago is not true
now, and what is true now will not be true in 10 years time. We
have to take that into consideration as well.
“An event in the FIA calendar must have a lot of emotion, be
attractive, present a unique test. To get the emotion and the
flavour in world level rallies, the format has to be different.”
As for the responsibility given to the Global Promoter North
One Sport (ISC), how does he view their promotional work?
“NOS signed an agreement with the FIA as promoter last year
and my intention is to give them my best support, to achieve the
best result.
“For me success is always the result of a team effort. At the
present time the team is made up of FIA people, organisers,
manufacturers, private teams and the promoters. Altogether, we
have to do a better job if we want to have a championship at the
level at which I am aiming for the FIA.
“The FIA has a strong job to bring rallying up to another (higher)
level. Organisers have to contribute; also teams, manufacturers
and promoters. I am optimistic we can establish a strong rally
championship in the future.
“It is obvious we need more manufacturers – two is not enough.
We must encourage new ones, and that is done by having a
higher dimension to the sport. It is the responsibilities of the
various stakeholders in the sport to encourage them to join.”
Jean Todt in Portugal. Saying the same thing again, but still words no action.
Speaking in Portugal after watching the first day of the world
championship rally, FIA President Jean Todt declared "I have
been to Jordan and I have now seen this rally in Portugal, but I
am more ambitious for rallying.
“While I have great respect for the organisers, manufacturers
and promoters involved, I have expectations for more to come
out of FIA world championship events.
“The world championship events will continue the way they
are, but we are making changes in the format. I do not like to see
rallies which start at 9 in the morning, have a two-hour lunch halt
and finish at 5. It is simply not the way I see rallying.
“I know (that organising a rally) it is huge work. We are taking all
that into consideration. But what was true 20 years ago is not true
now, and what is true now will not be true in 10 years time. We
have to take that into consideration as well.
“An event in the FIA calendar must have a lot of emotion, be
attractive, present a unique test. To get the emotion and the
flavour in world level rallies, the format has to be different.”
As for the responsibility given to the Global Promoter North
One Sport (ISC), how does he view their promotional work?
“NOS signed an agreement with the FIA as promoter last year
and my intention is to give them my best support, to achieve the
best result.
“For me success is always the result of a team effort. At the
present time the team is made up of FIA people, organisers,
manufacturers, private teams and the promoters. Altogether, we
have to do a better job if we want to have a championship at the
level at which I am aiming for the FIA.
“The FIA has a strong job to bring rallying up to another (higher)
level. Organisers have to contribute; also teams, manufacturers
and promoters. I am optimistic we can establish a strong rally
championship in the future.
“It is obvious we need more manufacturers – two is not enough.
We must encourage new ones, and that is done by having a
higher dimension to the sport. It is the responsibilities of the
various stakeholders in the sport to encourage them to join.”