Motorsport suspended until at least end of April

[AndyRAC]

The power of having an organised promoter, compared to the rudderless, Captainless ship that is rallying?

Well that is one way of putting it.

I thought rallying brought all kinds of financial benefits to Wales, or so it is claimed. But not enough that the sport has any influence/bargaining power.

[AndyRAC]

Watched this last night and unfortunate to see a couple of marshals filming the action on their phones one of whom was stood pretty close to the edge of the track. Not a great advert.

This was commented on Twitter by a few people, who were 'shot down' for raising it.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Watched this last night and unfortunate to see a couple of marshals filming the action on thier phones one of whom was stood pretty close to the edge of the track. Not a great advert.

This could be an issue with fans becoming 'marshals' just so they can get close to action with spectators banned...

[the sniper]

The only time I've seen a 0 car stop on stage was in Dyfnant on Rally GB a few years ago. Very tight hairpin on a narrow section at the end of a section where they've been flat for 550m. Three marshals stand on the outside of the hairpin, slightly off to the side, while all us speccies had put ourselves up an adjacent embankment. We could hear the 0 car nav shouting at them to move! They'd already been told to move by either the 00 or 000 (can't remember which)...

I've got a lot of time for marshals, always polite to them and try to chat, but we're all just enthusiasts there to watch a rally at the end of the day.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Iain Campbell interview on Dirtfish pod:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/37I...TPapHfIjt11fbw

[the sniper]

Iain Campbell interview on Dirtfish pod:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/37I...TPapHfIjt11fbw

Listened to this now. I've got a lot of respect for Iain as a rally organiser, but I feel he really rather swerved talking about the issues of the BRC in particular, now and in the future. Understandable given his position maybe, but I'd hoped he might be a bit more frank. We all know that this country's never ending love affair with the Escort is not healthy for the future of the sport here, but the BRC has its own issues. I appreciate though that he can't really bite the hand that feeds him or the constituent parts of his Championship that are organised for him. It's a small community. It's funny though listening to him correctly highlight the importance of a pinnacle level, bigging up the WRC in this role, while not mentioning the BRC at all...

[AndyRAC]

The Escort and 45 mile one day BTRDA events are seemingly what most British competitors want. Affordable events, good value for money and all done and dusted in one day. Fine, that is what the people want. No point in a series if not enough people are interested in it. Modern homologated cars and longer more expensive events just aren't wanted by UK rallying.

I remember, not that long ago we had BTRDA, ANCRO/Mintex and BRC. All offered something different; now only the BTRDA is what you'd say is in a 'healthy' state. ANCRO has gone, and the BRC seems to stumble along year to year. It gets a refresh every so often, but with the same result.

I really have no idea how you change the rallying culture in the UK.

[PLuto]

I agree with Sal the 2nd, problem of rallysport in UK is more complex. Especially BRC needs reborn, but to be done in a proper way. Not like they were trying in last years. They had big eyes, but forgot to make proper basic things to be successful...

[AndyRAC]

Look at the entry list for this weekend's Rallye Mont Blanc. Other countries are getting it right. Think a lot of parties are to blame for the demise of the sport in the UK be it the governing body, championship organisers, clubs and yes competitors themselves. Add in landowners who are scared of the green lobby and insurance/liability issues and too many calls for use of ever decreasing locations.

Other sports like cycling seem to have a very vociferous lobby behind them rallying just seems to want to apologise and dissappear up its own exhaust.

The aforementioned Rallye Monte Blanc-Morzine:

https://data.pksoft.fr/pksoft/RA_Mon...gag%C3%A9s.pdf

https://data.pksoft.fr/pksoft/RA_Mon...gag%C3%A9s.pdf

and there are three other classes/events. What a fabulous entry.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

Petition:
Relax the excessive restrictions to allow motor sport rallies to take place in Wales.

https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/244155