Looking at the attitude of the South Wales police to this event, and the fact that other in this country, might like to be able to see a rally of this order too, isn't it about time the rally was taken away from the Welsh, and given to someone else?

Discuss.

Alcazar

Edited to say: TIME to move, I meant TIME:D:

[Edited by alcazar - 11/10/2003 6:09:01 PM]

surely other wrc events are spread over larger area's Not really. Many are even more compact than the current Rally GB route.

Cant remember having any problems like this year when it was covered more of the country.
What problems are you talking about exactly? The traffic on this year's event ran exceptionally smoothly. If you can't remember serious problems in this area in previous years, one has to ask how long you've been following the sport.

Traffic issues on the mid-Welsh stages (particularly Hafren/Sweet Lamb/Myherin) used to be par for the course. If you'd tried getting to any of these on the 2000 edition, for example, you'd certainly have no complaints about this year.

As for the "rumour" about 2006 being the last in Wales, this is demonstrably bollokcs. There's no contract currently in place bar the one with Cardiff and Wales, which has options to extend to 2012.

Sure, there are no doubt other places interested in holding it, and probably other places talking about being interested in holding it, but there is no contract with anyone else, any suggestion that a move is definite is, frankly, bullsh*t.

[Edited by greasemonkey - 11/10/2003 8:44:16 PM]

did I read on here that FIA rules say that a max of 20% of the route can be changed from year to year?

It's 10%, not 20, but I believe there is an exeption in the case of a completely "new" rally (e.g. the 2004 Italian event which moves from the tarmac of San Remo to gravel in Sardinia).

[Edited by greasemonkey - 11/10/2003 9:07:08 PM]

I think the rally should go back to the good old days of the Sunday 'mickey mouse' stages which although the drivers hated them it would give more oppurtunity for people to see the drivers in action.
Not going to happen. The future in this regard is live TV stages like the big experiment at Margam, then a nice early finish so everyone can go to the dinner and party afterwards.

Also bring back the Kielder forest,
Haven't you been listening to the thread so far?

is there not a greater challenge for a rally driver ?
Kielder is easier to drive than the stages currently used for the WRGB. Easier to have a big accident too, so even higher levels of attrition than seen in Wales over the last couple of years.

As for calling it the Rally of Wales, BTW, that name is already used for the BRC round.

[Edited by greasemonkey - 11/10/2003 9:56:33 PM]

No.........end of discussion ;)

The MSA have a contract with the WDA/Welsh Assembly Govt (title sponsors) and Cardiff (host city) until 2006 at the very earliest, so, to a large extent, that's the end of the discussion.

As for suggesting the event be taken away from South Wales due to the policy of the Safety Camera Partnership, do you have any evidence to suggest it'd be noticeably different elsewhere?

The effects of the speed enforcement policy, particularly the negative publicity and public image, will be discussed at governmental level inside Wales over the following weeks and months. However, the rally ain't moving, so there's not a lot of point talking about it.

Couldn't agree more:D

Sick of saying it. It's not going to move or change it's format. It runs to Fia regulations, not by the Welsh Assembly or police.
Accept it. Thats how it is.

Chip.

It should go back to the old(ish) format and cover the entire country.

It should but it wont because of the Fia regs. They want it contained to cut costs.

Chip.

Thats true Chip, just wish is was not.

Sad that when each car costs over £600,000 they can't afford to run the rally over a larger area.

Of course nothing is going to change overnight - But at least by expressing our opinions they may be heard. If we keep them to ourselves the FIA etc will assume we all love the current format - which we dont.

Deano

and the voices might not be heard if they are only expressed here! Get on to the MSA and tell them too (or IMS or whatever they call the organising bit!)
But dont hold your breath - the rally isnt going anywhere for years to come yet! But Lewis555 had a very good alternative (along with the Roger Albert Clark Rally next November) on the "Boycott the RAC rally" thread (I think that was the topic title).

I've boycotted for the last 3 years but it didn't seem to be having any effect ;)

It should be spread over the country more. surely other wrc events are spread over larger area's. I am from this area and although it is super convenient to have everything within half hours drive of my house. We need to spread out more. Cant remember having any problems like this year when it was covered more of the country.

New refuelling and tyre changing regulation being brought in for next year will mean any WRC will no longer need to be based in such a compact area.
This also solves traffic management problems as spectators will be naturally based over a larger area.

2006 is rumoured to be the last in Wales, with a move to Newcastle most likely.

Newcastle??????? Tell me more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hopes dashed again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do people not read other threads on here. It's well documented that your stuck in wales for the forseable future and this is ireversable.

Looks like another (Signs bearing digital camera) load of bollocks to me thatthey are looking to move Wales Rally GB.

When the rally does eventually move from wales how long will it be before people are saying time to get the rally moved from (insert any UK area) it would be so much better if it was somewhere else.
With the current format of having the rally in a small area people are going to complain about the location no matter where it is.

did I read on here that FIA rules say that a max of 20% of the route can be changed from year to year? If thats right then the rally is in Wales for ever!

Exactly. As with the policing comments, it'll be the same policy elsewhere, just operated by a different force.

At end of day Wales is more accessible to the majority of the UK population than any likely alternative, so on balance there'd be more people inconvenienced by a move further north than would benefit.

Yes , this is another cost cutting and to a degree safety exercise as the drivers can use notes from previous years and adjust them rather than having to write new notes every year.

This is even more important now gravel crews are being banned next year!

Steve

whats the problem with wales!?! I made the trip down myself and had no problems, no matter where it was held there would be major intrest by the police, wales is also one of the most beautiful parts of this country & it was a pleasure to spectate at the rally

Hope you bunch of girls would all stop fookin whining.

Unless youre from Scotland youve no excuse.

Im from Yorkshire, camped in the centre of Cardiff and made sure i got up and set off on time.

Its some of the most beautiful countryside you`ll see, yes fair enough it is crap that there were only about 6 different proper stages and it`s a skank but the sad fact is that theres no where else that can meet as many of the needs of the WRC Teams and spectators alike.

Go abroad

P.S Petter was driving Miss Daisy, Loeb wouldnt have got close

I think the rally should go back to the good old days of the Sunday 'mickey mouse' stages which although the drivers hated them it would give more oppurtunity for people to see the drivers in action. Also bring back the Kielder forest, is there not a greater challenge for a rally driver ?

Anyway if it stays in just Wales should they not rename it to the Rally Wales.

IT'S GREAT IN WALES!!

If it was spread out over britain then there wouldn't be as many stages on the weekend, cos most of the time the cars would be on the motorway, travelling between stages!

Nobody round resolven owns any of the land. All forestry commission owned
That just ain't so Mowgli. The bulk of the stage itself may be Commission, but the farmland surrounding the stage and the start area at the very least is privately owned. Had a long chat with the farmer who owns the start last year.

we arrived at a locked gate, which someone in the convoy barred open (nice one mate)
What? You are congratulating someone for a wanton piece of vandalism? It's hardly surprising some of the locals don't like the event when spectators reduce themselves to petty criminalism and then slap each other on the back for it.

Greasemonkey did you ever start a message or do you just like analysing other peoples messages with your pissy quotes.

P.S I wouldnt have been stuck if walesrallygb, the organisation i personally think you are a spy for (either that or you want a job), had some organisation skills

I would still like to see the rally move about the country again. It means you tend to go to your 'local' stages without the entire rally watching community turning up in Wales.

So what if its not going to happen, its just our opinion.

Nevermind though, at least WRC over the last several years has got back to the excitment lost after group B ended.

BTW have you seen that racing in oz with EVO's, STi's and a number of other cars, good fun !!