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Hello All
Please can you help me? Does anyone know what is happening with the Welsh Rally BG 2009? I had planned on going as a surprise for my partner but no one seems to know if it is still going ahead.................so I am consulting the oracles!! :)
The organisers are ready to go with releasing route details etc., but can't do so until the dispute between the sponsors (Welsh Assembly Government) and promoters has been resolved.
If it can't be resolved and ends up in the courts, I suspect the sponsors will win and the rally will have no title sponsor and a £3m funding deficit, making it quite possible that the rally won't run...... :(
Interesting piece in this weeks MNews, by Jerry Williams - regarding RallyGB. He reckons they (IMS/MSA) should bite the bullet and accept that they won't get the money off WAG - and run a 'back-to-basics' event.Quote:
Originally Posted by Whinlatter
While I agree, I can't see it happening - what needs to be asked is, Where does all the money go? The old RAC's didn't need that kind of funding - it's basically now a 'cash-cow' and needs to be reigned in.
The event is running regardless of what happens apparently.
And long term political supporter Rt Hon Peter Hain has just been re-appointed at Secretary for State for Wales.(friday afternoon 5th june) Peter is a true petrol head and was one of the big political hitters to behind the Wales Rally GB concept. Time to kick some a$$ and sort this current impasse out.
Always trouble when you have Government bodies sponsoring rallies, political whim changes like the wind..........not good, get a commercial rather than government sponsor.
Must admit, I'm not keen on a Government/Regional Assembly sponsoring an event like this. Are any other World Rallies or Grand Prix sponsored like this?Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
I may be wrong, but I get the feeling it is now thought of as being a Welsh event - and that it is their event. Press releases about £10million for the Welsh economy - and that the event can't be lost for Wales. Excuse me, it's the British round of the WRC.
I have 2 thoughts about this issue:
Yes, it should run as it's our only chance to see the top cars/drivers in UK.
No, because there is the chance that changes could be made regarding the organising/financing of the event. It surely can't go on fleecing spectators.
i agree with you andy, with the I.R.C. coming to Scotland, and the RAC rally growing from strength to strength , and both events have an itinary will spectators abandon WalesGB , and book there time off , and spend thier cash on those events , just a thought
I think this is precisely what the sponsor is seeing......... Committed money to WRC when there were more than two teams, overall coverage was better, now a combination of factors, including the negativity on rallyforums about WRC is causing that sponsor to think we want out. Ryder cup golf doesnt have the negativity / confusion currently surrounding WRC. ISC may 'big it up (wrc) at every opportunity' but truth is IRC has the teams and the drivers and 'more traditional rally format' the suits didnt listen in time.Quote:
Originally Posted by wotaguy
very intresting point MJW, about the sponsers, true about the Ryder Cup.oh well we will watch this space.......
I'll still do Rally GB. When else do you get to see the worlds best? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by wotaguy
interesting slant on this in gpweek.com from respected journalist Martin Holmes. IMS (the section of the ASN running the rally) keep saying the event is in danger of not running due to sponsor pull out, Morrie Chandler on behalf of FIA rallies committe say that IMS should 'come clean' and either say if the rally will run regardless of sponsor withdrawal, or cancel teh event. Cancelling could leave IMS / RACMSA liable for sanctions and this could jeopardise future IMS events in UK, including any FIA event, that means Rally Scotland. This must be sorted before the World Council meeting on 24th June .
While I'm no fan of IMS - they're just a money making machine - I'm slightly confused by what WAG are saying. They seem to be still saying that as far as they're concerned RallyGB is a biennial event. This isn't true - RallyGB is pencilled in for next year. Having said that, when they decided to pull out, it wasn't on next year's calendar. So I'm not sure were things stand. Still don't like the attitude of IMS - Wish somebody at the MSA would grow balls and wind IMS up - it's been nothing but a disaster, and out of touch with what a lot of people want.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
Thanks Guys for the feedback, but it still looks like there is no definative answer to this out there yet. Any idea where I might go to find out?
Decision due to be taken today (wednesday) source autosport.com
While I'm no fan of the organisers - I think it will run. Mainly, because if it didn't there could repurcusions for other FiA events organised by the ASN - in this case, MSA. So that would mean British GP, IRC Rally Scotland.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
Sod the Rally GB and go to the R.A.C instead, that's what I'm planning on doing as it's cheaper and more fun IMO. The one down side is that it means travelling to Scotland which can be a bit of an effort from the SW.
Are there no flights from Bristol, Newquay or somewhere and then hire a car? Worth looking into maybeQuote:
Originally Posted by Mr Jan Yeo
Thanks you very much MJW and AndyRAC, I'll keep a look out for the result! :)
Can't go to Scotland I'm afraid and my other half really wants to catch the Staduim event on the saturday night so not much choice of where to go.
Not sure they are using the Millenium Stadium......Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnieJ
...but don't quote me!!
Well from what I have been told the route doesnt include any superspecial this year. Despite posturing, and I dont know what decision will be taken today, the route is prepared, the service park defined and a lot of advanced planning already gone on, even during the dispute. I think WAG wont move and its up to IMS/MSA to decide if they will run the rally with their own funding or an alternative sponsor. If it doesnt run it will be a shame because the stages are up there with the best in the world, well NZ, Finland, and Sweden for 'drivers roads'Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnieJ
as far as i was aware, im led to believe ,there wont be a saturday night stadium stage, due to Wales rugby commintments, i myself am tempted with Scotland if i can raise funds, hard ,when your on disability, might avertise for car share lol. :)
Deffently no Millenium stadium this year.
Just wondering, where in Cardiff service and shakedown, will be this year. As they are not using SA1, or Swansea. Think Pengellar forest will be to far for shakedown.
Is there anything sutible for shakedown around Cardiff.
Thanks all, so just I get it absolutely right - definatley no Saturday night Stadium event planned?
I wouldn't let the lack of the stadium special put you off. They are usually pretty poor to say the least.Quote:
Originally Posted by AnnieJ
I know it's more difficult as far as access but the other stages will be so much more rewarding.
Glad that IMS have decided to run the rally. At least that gives time for either a vigorous pursuit of the legal case, or time for a compromise to be reached, now that the pressure of deadlines is removed. Politics can change things, afterall its only since friday that Peter Hain has been in charge of Wales, if a decision was made so soon it would to back the event (even if they had the time) that would have given people the impressin that it was Peter spending public money on his sport.
i agree with simmi, i went stadium last year , and ok i was up in the gods, but i feel it lacked the exciting of previous years , and bloody cold as well :eek:
I wonder if the MSA are going to look for a Title sponsor for 1 year? Or will it be known as MSA Rally GB. It's a sad indictment of the sport/event if it can't get a sponsor, even for 1 year.Quote:
Originally Posted by MJW
I think it was the right decision to go ahead - especially if it is true that there could be repercussions regarding other FiA events held in UK, e;g British GP, IRC Rally Scotland, etc
.
:D :p :Quote:
Originally Posted by 306 Cosworth
Not even sure if im going this year but im so glad to hear irs been saved :D
I'll be going for definite, just hope they run Hafren and Myherin again :up:
And no ice or snow... ;)
Great news. We'll be there for sure :D
Can you bring some of the Dutch competitors over too? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by MartijnS
Went to the millennium stadium for the superspecial in 2007 and it has to be the dullest stage I have ever seen in my life, and I have seen a lot of dull stages!! :s You could argue that the atmosphere makes up for it, but it wasn't even half full. And the traffic getting to it in the first place meant we missed the start even though we went to Crychan to give ourselves as much time as possible.
RAC gets my vote, I'd follow that down to Wales if it came to it :up:
I'm not sure that would ever happen - everybody seems to be happy with the current set up. It would require an extra day - though I'm sure it would be well worth it.Quote:
Originally Posted by J4MIE
The Rally GB Timetable has been published in Motorsport News this week.
Thursday 22 October
Ceremonial Start - 18:30
Friday 23 October
SS1: Hafren 1 - 09:55
SS2: Sweet Lamb 1 - 10:36
SS3: Myherin 1 - 10:54
Remote Service - Built Wells, no public access. (Rally fans only then? http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/sr...ilies/lol1.gif)
SS4: Hafren 2 - 14:04
SS5: Sweet Lamb 2 - 14:45
SS6: Myherin 2 - 15:03
Service (Cardiff Bay) - 18:56
Saturday 24 October
Service (Cardiff Bay) - 07:10
SS7: Rhondda 1 - 08:33
SS8: Crychan 1 - 10:31
SS9: Halfway 1 - 10:58
Service (Cardiff Bay) - 13:18
SS10: Rhondda 2 - 14:56
SS11: Crychan 2 - 16:54
SS12: Halfway 2 - 17:21
Service (Cardiff Bay) - 19:34
Sunday 25 October
Service (Cardiff Bay) - 07:10
SS13: Port Talbot 1 - 08:28
SS14: Rheola 1 - 09:27
SS15: Port Talbot 2 - 11:08
SS16: Rheola 2 - 12:07
Service (Cardiff Bay) - 13:55
Ceremonial Finish - 14:40
Total of 215.92 miles of stages.
Notes:
- Hafren increased in length from 11.86 to 19.97 miles.[/*:m:3hl9eo66]
- Resolfen and it's awful viewing points is gone, in comes a revamped Rhondda.[/*:m:3hl9eo66]
- Walters Arena SSS is dropped.[/*:m:3hl9eo66]
- Millennium Stadium is dropped.[/*:m:3hl9eo66]
- Service moves from SA1 Waterfront to Cardiff Bay.[/*:m:3hl9eo66]
- No mid-morning service on Sunday, just a re group between the two runs of Port Talbot and Rheola.[/*:m:3hl9eo66]
The route will officially be published on June 29th.
So any one know of a large piece of land down Cardiff bay, for service.
And it makes Pengella Forest to far away for shakedown. :confused:
Looks like Hafren will include Sweet Lamb this year.