Rally of Great Britain 20th-23rd November 1999

The RAC! The Lombard! I can actually remember when it was sponsored by the Daily Mirror ( Now that was a stupid idea), what ever you want to call it, it used to be the pinnacle of british rallying. If you were in rallying it was the event that everyone wanted to be involved in. Wanted? You didn't have much choice,if you weren't competing you knew someone who was , or you were marshalling or you knew somone who was, or you were spectating or you were servicing, probably  a little of all of those. It started on the weekend and finsihed almost a week later, time for the newspapers and public to remember to remember about it, it hadcelebrities competing , sometimes just for the fun of it.

Spectators worked as hard as service crews or competitors, putting hundreds of miles on the clock and missing out on sleep to get another stage in.forest gates swapped hands in exchange for pints, or more often for keys in other areas . The it started changing, the big boys came to play, and like most boys games  , first we were pleased to be noticed and wanted them to play with us. Then little by little , the big boys changed the rules. They made the event a bit more civilised so that their "family"  could  tag along, because they were big boys thaey made a lot more noise about what they were doing and where they were going. Their hangers on started turning up, and the organisers realised that these part time fans could be used as a money stream.

Suddenly you coundn't get to your favourite spot because there were road blocks 5 miles out. It was OK though because the specatacle was still free ( apart from the car parking) and you could marshal tomorrow and get your coverted marsahls badge. Then the organisers found they had a glut of badges and started selling them, so the  marshals badge wasn't as exclusive any more. That was still ok cos you would marshal for the clubmen in the event, but they got less and less as the event got more expensive. Henri Toivenen death during a daylight rally in a fibreglass car with alluminium roll cage shocked us all, but not as much as the shock we got when we found that because of this the overnight section of the rally was dropped on the ground of safety .Then in the name of safety the night stages disapeared, unless of course you were  running above car 50 on the last stage of the day , then it seemed that the stage was safe enough for you but not for the big boys.

Somewhere along this path you gave up spectating, one reason was because you were herded along with the Sun readers who wanted to know " When does the race start?" and "What car is Nigel Mansell in? another reason  was that you were marshalling tomorrow, that was going to be over 14hrs not including travelling and the stage commander needed help today to set up the stage ( We used to do it during the night before the event). The WRC took a deeper and deeper hold, maps went out to be replaced with pace notes, first of all made in convoy , then later, a day had to be set aside for the recce.More time of work, but you didn't mind because this was now a world class event, THE LOMBARD RAC RALLY! . Then, because of the pace notes the WRC needed gravel cars, you now need to be on stage four hours before the first car is due, you shake your head and set the alarm for half past early.

Not just the long overnight sections have gone now, so have the overnight halts, everything is based in one town, the one that paid the most money, never mind where the best stages are. The mickey mouse stages are still about, remember how hard we laughed at the people who PAID!  to see a rally? How we mocked them when we thought about our private spots in the orest, a bit less private now that the stages are published, but still they were free, well apart from the car parking. now the mickey mouse bits are ven more cartoon like, two cars head to head, so that the plebs at home can see who has "won". After a few years the rally moves into Wales , just Wales, it covers less milage than the Welsh rally used to but needs 10 times as many people to run  it, but hey thats progress right? Now its anounced/rumoured/leaked that it will be 60 cars only WRC and invitation, and there's only one question I can ask.

Please mister, could we have OUR rally back please?

Judging by the Television coverage the spectators were conspicuous by
their absence. Apart from Sweet Lamb the numbers seemed to be adout
average for a Single Venue!

Les

On Mon, 27 Nov 2000 23:11:46 +0000, Dr John Upham
 wrote:

>Does anyone have any feedback about this years Rally of Great
>Britain/Wales that they wish to feedback to the Ivory Towers of
>Colnbrook or simply make public?
>
>How did the ticketing go down? I've heard some hairy stories
>already. Would you attend again if organised in this manner?
>
>Don't forget: 60 crews only in 2002...
>
>Regards,
>-- 
>Dr John Upham, The UKMotorSport Index,
>http://www.ukmotorsport.com/, webmaster@ukmotorsport.com,
>Voice: +44 (0) 976 634 053 (W), Voice: +44 (0) 125 287 2551 (H),
>Voice: +44 (0) 976 634 053 (M)
>Registered address: Reid House, Mill Hall, Cuckfield, West Sussex RH17
>5HX
>Registered number: 3445711
>

--
Les
spam@cars-gb.com (replace spam with Les)
  Competition & Performance parts online 
 Free ads for Cars & Parts

 wrote:

> Judging by the Television coverage the spectators were conspicuous by
> their absence. Apart from Sweet Lamb the numbers seemed to be adout
> average for a Single Venue!

From the 000 car the numbers in Rheola seemed about the same , but much
more spread about.
Marc

I too felt that the super special stage could have offered a higher viewing
point as it made the stage look very "flat" from the banking.  The pass
system seemed to work well and there wasn't the usual car nightmares getting
onto the stages (apart from leaving Sweet Lamb, but that's par for the
course, why can't they marshal the cars out as well as in?!).

I managed to get to 8 stages and noticed that there were fewer idiots about
this year too.

I am one of the people who moans about rallying on TV as well, but only
really about the inconsistency of the scheduling. The BBC will lose the
rights next season and it will go to a firm which have done good jobs with
sports in the past, but if it's never shown (or shown at 00:30) it will
never gather momentum.

Still, another GB rally under the belt and looking forward to next season.
Does anyone have any tips about spectating at Monte or San Remo?

Regards

Andy
http://www.rallylion.com

On Fri, 1 Dec 2000 23:03:02 -0000, "RallyLion.com"
 wrote:

>I too felt that the super special stage could have offered a higher viewing
>point as it made the stage look very "flat" from the banking.  The pass
>system seemed to work well and there wasn't the usual car nightmares getting
>onto the stages
Surely the reason for this was that most people stayed away.
I know about 20 people who have been following the event for well over
20 years but non bothered this year. I think the general feeling is
that the event isnt a patch on what it used to be & the Jim Clark of
continental events are a much better bet.


(apart from leaving Sweet Lamb, but that's par for the
>course, why can't they marshal the cars out as well as in?!).
>
>I managed to get to 8 stages and noticed that there were fewer idiots about
>this year too.
>
>I am one of the people who moans about rallying on TV as well, but only
>really about the inconsistency of the scheduling. The BBC will lose the
>rights next season and it will go to a firm which have done good jobs with
>sports in the past, but if it's never shown (or shown at 00:30) it will
>never gather momentum.
>
>Still, another GB rally under the belt and looking forward to next season.
>Does anyone have any tips about spectating at Monte or San Remo?
>
>Regards
>
>Andy
>http://www.rallylion.com
>
>
>
Les

--
Les
spam@cars-gb.com (replace spam with Les)
  Competition & Performance parts online 
 Free ads for Cars & Parts

> Surely the reason for this was that most people stayed away.
> I know about 20 people who have been following the event for well over
> 20 years but non bothered this year. I think the general feeling is
> that the event isnt a patch on what it used to be & the Jim Clark of
> continental events are a much better bet.

If you really want to see the WRC circus at all costs, surely a £45.00 cost
won't put you off? Should the amenities provided affect the enjoyment of
what  you really go to watch, which at the end of the day is World class
drivers (and potential world class drivers) driving a few feet from where
you are standing?

 wrote in message
news:3a28d439.87976855@news.u-net.com...
> On Fri, 1 Dec 2000 23:03:02 -0000, "RallyLion.com"
>  wrote:
>
> >I too felt that the super special stage could have offered a higher
viewing
> >point as it made the stage look very "flat" from the banking.  The pass
> >system seemed to work well and there wasn't the usual car nightmares
getting
> >onto the stages
> Surely the reason for this was that most people stayed away.
> I know about 20 people who have been following the event for well over
> 20 years but non bothered this year. I think the general feeling is
> that the event isnt a patch on what it used to be & the Jim Clark of
> continental events are a much better bet.
>
>
>  (apart from leaving Sweet Lamb, but that's par for the
> >course, why can't they marshal the cars out as well as in?!).
> >
> >I managed to get to 8 stages and noticed that there were fewer idiots
about
> >this year too.
> >
> >I am one of the people who moans about rallying on TV as well, but only
> >really about the inconsistency of the scheduling. The BBC will lose the
> >rights next season and it will go to a firm which have done good jobs
with
> >sports in the past, but if it's never shown (or shown at 00:30) it will
> >never gather momentum.
> >
> >Still, another GB rally under the belt and looking forward to next
season.
> >Does anyone have any tips about spectating at Monte or San Remo?
> >
> >Regards
> >
> >Andy
> >http://www.rallylion.com
> >
> >
> >
> Les
>
> --
> Les
> spam@cars-gb.com (replace spam with Les)
>   Competition & Performance parts online
>  Free ads for Cars & Parts

> If you really want to see the WRC circus at all costs, surely a £45.00
cost
> won't put you off?

But how much viewing time of each car do you get for that £45 outlay? Not
enough to make it worth the money in my book.

Bobby

Its not just the £45 (which will probably be more next year) perhaps its the
cost of travelling down to Wales from places like the North of England where
Im sure there are many spectators.

"RallyLion.com"  wrote in message
news:3a293e81_1@news2.vip.uk.com...
> > Surely the reason for this was that most people stayed away.
> > I know about 20 people who have been following the event for well over
> > 20 years but non bothered this year. I think the general feeling is
> > that the event isnt a patch on what it used to be & the Jim Clark of
> > continental events are a much better bet.
>
> If you really want to see the WRC circus at all costs, surely a £45.00
cost
> won't put you off? Should the amenities provided affect the enjoyment of
> what  you really go to watch, which at the end of the day is World class
> drivers (and potential world class drivers) driving a few feet from where
> you are standing?
>
>  wrote in message
> news:3a28d439.87976855@news.u-net.com...
> > On Fri, 1 Dec 2000 23:03:02 -0000, "RallyLion.com"
> >  wrote:
> >
> > >I too felt that the super special stage could have offered a higher
> viewing
> > >point as it made the stage look very "flat" from the banking.  The pass
> > >system seemed to work well and there wasn't the usual car nightmares
> getting
> > >onto the stages
> > Surely the reason for this was that most people stayed away.
> > I know about 20 people who have been following the event for well over
> > 20 years but non bothered this year. I think the general feeling is
> > that the event isnt a patch on what it used to be & the Jim Clark of
> > continental events are a much better bet.
> >
> >
> >  (apart from leaving Sweet Lamb, but that's par for the
> > >course, why can't they marshal the cars out as well as in?!).
> > >
> > >I managed to get to 8 stages and noticed that there were fewer idiots
> about
> > >this year too.
> > >
> > >I am one of the people who moans about rallying on TV as well, but only
> > >really about the inconsistency of the scheduling. The BBC will lose the
> > >rights next season and it will go to a firm which have done good jobs
> with
> > >sports in the past, but if it's never shown (or shown at 00:30) it will
> > >never gather momentum.
> > >
> > >Still, another GB rally under the belt and looking forward to next
> season.
> > >Does anyone have any tips about spectating at Monte or San Remo?
> > >
> > >Regards
> > >
> > >Andy
> > >http://www.rallylion.com
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > Les
> >
> > --
> > Les
> > spam@cars-gb.com (replace spam with Les)
> >   Competition & Performance parts online
> >  Free ads for Cars & Parts

> Its not just the £45 (which will probably be more next year) perhaps its
the
> cost of travelling down to Wales from places like the North of England
where
> Im sure there are many spectators.

Could be a factor, but there are just as many spectators in the South that
would have to travel up North is the rally was held there.  Lots of UK
people go to Monte, which costs a lot more than £45.00 to get to.


>
> "RallyLion.com"  wrote in message
> news:3a293e81_1@news2.vip.uk.com...
> > > Surely the reason for this was that most people stayed away.
> > > I know about 20 people who have been following the event for well over
> > > 20 years but non bothered this year. I think the general feeling is
> > > that the event isnt a patch on what it used to be & the Jim Clark of
> > > continental events are a much better bet.
> >
> > If you really want to see the WRC circus at all costs, surely a £45.00
> cost
> > won't put you off? Should the amenities provided affect the enjoyment of
> > what  you really go to watch, which at the end of the day is World class
> > drivers (and potential world class drivers) driving a few feet from
where
> > you are standing?
> >
> >  wrote in message
> > news:3a28d439.87976855@news.u-net.com...
> > > On Fri, 1 Dec 2000 23:03:02 -0000, "RallyLion.com"
> > >  wrote:
> > >
> > > >I too felt that the super special stage could have offered a higher
> > viewing
> > > >point as it made the stage look very "flat" from the banking.  The
pass
> > > >system seemed to work well and there wasn't the usual car nightmares
> > getting
> > > >onto the stages
> > > Surely the reason for this was that most people stayed away.
> > > I know about 20 people who have been following the event for well over
> > > 20 years but non bothered this year. I think the general feeling is
> > > that the event isnt a patch on what it used to be & the Jim Clark of
> > > continental events are a much better bet.
> > >
> > >
> > >  (apart from leaving Sweet Lamb, but that's par for the
> > > >course, why can't they marshal the cars out as well as in?!).
> > > >
> > > >I managed to get to 8 stages and noticed that there were fewer idiots
> > about
> > > >this year too.
> > > >
> > > >I am one of the people who moans about rallying on TV as well, but
only
> > > >really about the inconsistency of the scheduling. The BBC will lose
the
> > > >rights next season and it will go to a firm which have done good jobs
> > with
> > > >sports in the past, but if it's never shown (or shown at 00:30) it
will
> > > >never gather momentum.
> > > >
> > > >Still, another GB rally under the belt and looking forward to next
> > season.
> > > >Does anyone have any tips about spectating at Monte or San Remo?
> > > >
> > > >Regards
> > > >
> > > >Andy
> > > >http://www.rallylion.com
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > Les
> > >
> > > --
> > > Les
> > > spam@cars-gb.com (replace spam with Les)
> > >   Competition & Performance parts online
> > >  Free ads for Cars & Parts

I have just priced up a trip to the Monte. £85 for returns flights
from Liverpool, a Mercedes A class for 5 days and 4 nights
accomodation in the Nice Youth Hostel. A much better deal than the RAC
is turning out to be.

On Sun, 3 Dec 2000 00:48:45 -0000, "RallyLion.com"
 wrote:

>> Its not just the £45 (which will probably be more next year) perhaps its
>the
>> cost of travelling down to Wales from places like the North of England
>where
>> Im sure there are many spectators.
>
>Could be a factor, but there are just as many spectators in the South that
>would have to travel up North is the rally was held there. 
Of they could go back to having it cover most of the country like it
used to be then its easy for everyone to get to.

Lots of UK
>people go to Monte, which costs a lot more than £45.00 to get to.
>
>
>>
>> "RallyLion.com"  wrote in message
>> news:3a293e81_1@news2.vip.uk.com...
>> > > Surely the reason for this was that most people stayed away.
>> > > I know about 20 people who have been following the event for well over
>> > > 20 years but non bothered this year. I think the general feeling is
>> > > that the event isnt a patch on what it used to be & the Jim Clark of
>> > > continental events are a much better bet.
>> >
>> > If you really want to see the WRC circus at all costs, surely a £45.00
>> cost
>> > won't put you off? Should the amenities provided affect the enjoyment of
>> > what  you really go to watch, which at the end of the day is World class
>> > drivers (and potential world class drivers) driving a few feet from
>where
>> > you are standing?
>> >
>> >  wrote in message
>> > news:3a28d439.87976855@news.u-net.com...
>> > > On Fri, 1 Dec 2000 23:03:02 -0000, "RallyLion.com"
>> > >  wrote:
>> > >
>> > > >I too felt that the super special stage could have offered a higher
>> > viewing
>> > > >point as it made the stage look very "flat" from the banking.  The
>pass
>> > > >system seemed to work well and there wasn't the usual car nightmares
>> > getting
>> > > >onto the stages
>> > > Surely the reason for this was that most people stayed away.
>> > > I know about 20 people who have been following the event for well over
>> > > 20 years but non bothered this year. I think the general feeling is
>> > > that the event isnt a patch on what it used to be & the Jim Clark of
>> > > continental events are a much better bet.
>> > >
>> > >
>> > >  (apart from leaving Sweet Lamb, but that's par for the
>> > > >course, why can't they marshal the cars out as well as in?!).
>> > > >
>> > > >I managed to get to 8 stages and noticed that there were fewer idiots
>> > about
>> > > >this year too.
>> > > >
>> > > >I am one of the people who moans about rallying on TV as well, but
>only
>> > > >really about the inconsistency of the scheduling. The BBC will lose
>the
>> > > >rights next season and it will go to a firm which have done good jobs
>> > with
>> > > >sports in the past, but if it's never shown (or shown at 00:30) it
>will
>> > > >never gather momentum.
>> > > >
>> > > >Still, another GB rally under the belt and looking forward to next
>> > season.
>> > > >Does anyone have any tips about spectating at Monte or San Remo?
>> > > >
>> > > >Regards
>> > > >
>> > > >Andy
>> > > >http://www.rallylion.com
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > >
>> > > Les
>> > >
>> > > --
>> > > Les
>> > > spam@cars-gb.com (replace spam with Les)
>> > >   Competition & Performance parts online
>> > >  Free ads for Cars & Parts
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

--
Les
spam@cars-gb.com (replace spam with Les)
  Competition & Performance parts online