New look Rally GB takes shape

Jul 9 2009 Robin Roberts

New look Rally GB takes shape

ORGANISERS have drawn up a new-look Rally GB as the deadline is reached for the Welsh Assembly Government to do a U-turn on its withdrawal of sponsorship.

In April, the assembly said it would not support this year's event or the 2010 rally and claimed it was because uncertainty about the international status and running of the event breached their original sponsorship agreement after backing it for over a decade.

Late last month, the FIA confirmed the UK round of the WRC would be included in next year's calendar.

WRGB organiser, International Motor Sports Limited, has demanded that the assembly reverse its decision and restore funding for the event.

IMS has underwritten the event to ensure it goes ahead this year and it is thought likely to be seeking damages for each year left to run. Another major sponsor is also being sought.

IMS chief executive Andrew Coe said: 'We understand there are issues with the Ryder Cup which has made the WAG pump extra money into it from their sponsorship of WRGB, but at the end of the day it is the Welsh taxpayer who stands to pay out more than they would have in legal fees and compensation than if the rally sponsorship continues.'

He added: 'We have to launch the event to the public and the media to get the publicity machine going on it and we cannot compromise our ability to sell tickets for the event by delaying any longer.'

Rally GB 2009 will be formerly launched in Cardiff on July 14 but it will be a different event to that of the last few years.

Swansea has no part in the event's timetable, there is no super-special stage at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff because of clash with rugby calendar but the remote service zone at Builth Wells showground will be expanded and move undercover.

This year's event will move its administration headquarters to the Millennium Centre at Cardiff Bay and there will be areas set aside in the plaza and adjacent docks for competitors for the event from October 22-25 .

After trumpeting the fact that last year saw the first ever carbon neutral rally, the lack of support from the welsh Assembly means it will no longer be measured for its carbon footprint. 'The money simply isn't there to do it,' added Mr Coe.

To keep down costs, the organisers have decided to copy the format of last year's event but expand the Mid Wales stages around Builth Wells and give it a more prominent role, which should please rally fans.

The service park formerly at Swansea has moved to Cardiff Bay.

'So far as possible we want this year's event to look and feel the same to competitors and spectators, but there will be some changes,' said Mr Coe. 'Support for the rally in Wales has been tremendous and the decision to withdraw by WAG was premature because we have maintained in all our correspondence that we expected the 2010 event would be in the WRC.'

Looking ahead, Mr Coe said Wales was a good location for Rally GB but other UK regions have approached the organisers with proposals to run it elsewhere although it is likely the event will stay in Wales for the next three years.

'We are looking at alternatives because we have to do that, we have to have a long term view to safeguard motorsport in the UK,' said Mr Coe.