Wales Rally GB / Rally review
Back to Wales
The organizers of Wales felt a change was necessary; both the numbers of competitors and of
spectators had dropped to dramatic depths in
last year’s edition. In the competitors department
the numbers increased from 31 to 56. Still not
the numbers of the early days of the RAC Rally
but a considerable increase of more than 80%,
add to that the national and historic rally cars that
were on the menu too and you can understand
the enormous crowds that were attracted to come
to the stages. An intensive marketing campaign
was more successful than anticipated because at
certain points traffic came to a complete standstill
due to the affluent numbers of spectators going
to and from the stages. To such an extent that
even some special spectator points had to be
closed because they were, more than, fully occupied. Next year they have to work on that but
that there is a revival in the interest for the event
is very clear. The move to the northern part of
Wales may have been of influence as well. The
new Rally HQ at the Toyota engine plant in Deeside needs some work. Although there is enough
space, in the atmosphere department it is not yet
what we expected. Basically it is an industrial estate nothing more noting less. A nice Wales Rally
GB arch is not enough to make it into the warm
heart of the rally. But there is enough as a counter
balance, the spectator stages (if you managed to
get there), the ceremonial start and last but not
least, the re introduction of the Great Orme stage.
For us the balance has been good.
decided not to participate in favor of Polish Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica whom he said ‘deserved
a chance in a full specs WRC’. Another piece of
news was that Kubica’s notes would be read by
a new co driver. Fellow Pole Maciek Baran had
thrown the towel after Spain and he was replaced
by the Italian Michele Ferrara.
After scrutineering the marshals had a bad surprise for Dani Sordo. His team had made an infringement to regulations as stipulated in FIA
WRC Art. 64.4.2. So what happened? A chassis
intended for the Citroën B-team had been used
for Dani’s car. This being chassis number nine
made it an infringement to the FIA rule. Consequently Sordo had to start with a five-minute penPre event facts
alty. “Sometimes I make a mistake, sometimes it
Much to the regret of many local fans Kris Meeke is someone else,” was his stoic remark after hearwas not behind a WRC wheel in Wales. But Cit- ing this. At Ford they had to miss Nasser Al Attiroen did have another surprise. Khalid Al Qassimi yah who was suffering from a previous accident.
30/64
With some impressive outings, including here in Wales, Evans earned himself a spot in
the Fiesta WRC next year as a full-time factory driver.
Kubica was equally impressive this year and also secured a full-time seat next year in a
Fiesta WRC. He’ll be running for the Lotos team though.