Quote Originally Posted by Steve Boyd View Post
I was involved in running the Manx International Rally when it was a Coefficient 20 round of the European Championship in the 1990's. Very few of the leading European Championship contenders ever entered because it was late in the season and expensive to get to (ferry to UK and another ferry from UK to IoM). The event relied on IoM Government backing with most entires from the British International Championship and the Irish Tarmac International Championship. In the current economic climate, similar events aren't viable without a major sponsor and subsidised entries for championship contenders.
Times are different. Now there are not so big sponsors able to pay almost whole of the rally like in the past. Currently the most important for bringing money are competitors. And on higher levels like WRC or ERC it is government who must give the money...