2022 Rallying Thread (WRC, ERC and national rally)

[ArnageWRC]

Yeah, the Mewla is usually good, and the usual entries for Epynt turn out; and on the numerous occasions I've been, the weather is usually good. It's that time of year when we have the Mewla, followed by the Woodpecker the following Saturday - and the changing of the seasons....

[Ranger 6]

thepawbroon said:

They've also got room for 150 entrants but have only attracted 108.

...and then the opposite is happening on the Trackrod - a full entry and yet really struggling for marshals.

[thepawbroon]

Ranger 6 said:

thepawbroon said:

They've also got room for 150 entrants but have only attracted 108.

...and then the opposite is happening on the Trackrod - a full entry and yet really struggling for marshals.

I guess that's the difference that a long track record and a reasonable entry fee make, with Trackrod also being part of the well-supported BTRDA and Historic championships.

I imagine most events will struggle for marshals in these economic times, even those (like Trackrod) who are providing some rewards for them.

[Ranger 6]

You're spot on there - I haven't seen an event for a long time that's 'flowing' in marshals. Except maybe for the GP and FoS :-)

Good to see that the Trackrod folks are making steps to attract more support - £000s in goodies and a decent cash prize draw.

[mfmman]

thepawbroon said:

Ranger 6 said:

thepawbroon said:

They've also got room for 150 entrants but have only attracted 108.

...and then the opposite is happening on the Trackrod - a full entry and yet really struggling for marshals.

I guess that's the difference that a long track record and a reasonable entry fee make, with Trackrod also being part of the well-supported BTRDA and Historic championships.

I imagine most events will struggle for marshals in these economic times, even those (like Trackrod) who are providing some rewards for them.

Does seem a bit odd, when Three Shires and Bae Ceredigion first both ran in 2019 on the same weekend, BC was full and TS ran about 18 entries short (which must have been a little disappointing to the organisers).TS appears to be almost full now with three weeks to go. These things ebb and flow a bit but I would have though both would be full now they are a few weeks apart. Maybe being during the summer holidays doesn't help, not sure when the schools go back locally but here in the South West it's not until the 5th so next week is very much still a holiday week with lots of people away.

[thepawbroon]

I think cost may be an influence - the two events are diverging:

Three Shires - 60 stage miles - 1 day - £790 entry fee


Ceredigion - 87 stage miles - 2 days - £1195 entry fee.

So there's about £600 odd difference right there for entry fee / fuel / accom. The two events are aiming for different audiences.

[LukeBrown66]

Bloody hell Ihad no idea entry fess were this out o control, that is insane

[Drumroll]

LukeBrown66 said:

Bloody hell Ihad no idea entry fess were this out o control, that is insane

Why is it out of control?

You clearly have no idea how much it actually costs to put on an event like this.

[thepawbroon]

Ceredigion now charge VAT so that's 20% increase for starters. Not many events charge VAT.

I think a lot of increase is related to fuel / transport - not many marshals can now afford to travel to events without some reimbursement.

Hotels, vehicle hire and many other suppliers have all increased prices in the last year or two.

I'm not that surprised, although I am saddened. I was hoping closed roads would be enable lower entry fees.

[mfmman]

thepawbroon said:

I think cost may be an influence - the two events are diverging:

Three Shires - 60 stage miles - 1 day - £790 entry fee


Ceredigion - 87 stage miles - 2 days - £1195 entry fee.

So there's about £600 odd difference right there for entry fee / fuel / accom. The two events are aiming for different audiences.

Ah yes, I didn't realise that Rali Bae had moved up to BRC for this year as well as Clacton.

[Drumroll]

thepawbroon said:

Ceredigion now charge VAT so that's 20% increase for starters. Not many events charge VAT.

I think a lot of increase is related to fuel / transport - not many marshals can now afford to travel to events without some reimbursement.

Hotels, vehicle hire and many other suppliers have all increased prices in the last year or two.

I'm not that surprised, although I am saddened. I was hoping closed roads would be enable lower entry fees.

The VAT is something more clubs will be looking at. As rallies move to closed roads they will be dealing with more companies that charge VAT. As well as the actual turnover involved.

As you know better than most the costs of things like road closure signs etc soon mounts up. I know one of closed roads that had to get a subcontractor to place the signs (council Insisted)

[confucuis]

My local rally on tomorrow, the Galway Summer Rally.

I rang up and volunteered to marshal and got no word back! Guess they don't need marshals.. would have liked to have been told...

[Drumroll]

confucuis said:

My local rally on tomorrow, the Galway Summer Rally.

I rang up and volunteered to marshal and got no word back! Guess they don't need marshals.. would have liked to have been told...

Sorry that has happened, but do bear in mind that all the officials are volunteers and sometimes things like this happen.

[LukeBrown66]

Reply to the post not the username, please, entry fees like that are ridiculous, out of control, I know it must cost a lot to do these events, as I have said before I can't see rallying lasting much longer in this country with that going on, I know people have deep pockets, but that is crazy 60 mile for a grand is just plain wrong.

If it was British championship or something fair enough, but dear me

[Drumroll]

LukeBrown66 said:

Reply to the post not the username, please, entry fees like that are ridiculous, out of control, I know it must cost a lot to do these events, as I have said before I can't see rallying lasting much longer in this country with that going on, I know people have deep pockets, but that is crazy 60 mile for a grand is just plain wrong.

If it was British championship or something fair enough, but dear me

They might seem ridiculous to you but they reflect the cost of putting on these events. I know it may appear as a rude word to some but the clubs have to make a bit of a profit otherwise they won't survive. They are also aware that if an event isn't seen as value for money it won't get the entries, it is a fine balancing act.

[ArnageWRC]

LukeBrown66 said:

Reply to the post not the username, please, entry fees like that are ridiculous, out of control, I know it must cost a lot to do these events, as I have said before I can't see rallying lasting much longer in this country with that going on, I know people have deep pockets, but that is crazy 60 mile for a grand is just plain wrong.

If it was British championship or something fair enough, but dear me

Rali Bae is BRC, so will automatically be more expensive.

Saying that, the BRC really should be run/organised by one body, instead of relying on small motor clubs to do so. It's no longer the 1980s....

[thepawbroon]

ArnageWRC said:

Rali Bae is BRC, so will automatically be more expensive.

Saying that, the BRC really should be run/organised by one body, instead of relying on small motor clubs to do so. It's no longer the 1980s....

I'm not sure the BRC adds much cost, I've been very closely involved recently and negotiated a BRC event contract. Back in 2019, Rali Ceredigion were already doing everything the BRC asks for, and the BRC fee isn't massive.

The event length and VAT are two main differences over 3 Shires.

I do tend to agree with your second point though, the organisational burden nowadays is hard to cope with for amateur groups. I wonder if Rali Ceredigion have effectively got some paid organisers? It wouldn't surprise me.

[LukeBrown66]

It makes a little more sense if an event is British rally championship.

I do not follow rallying as I once did to know this sort of thing, but those sums are still very high, even circuit racing elite events like goodwood and the |Classic are around a grand!

[Drumroll]

Costs are only likely to go one way. If I am honest rallying has been done "on the cheap" for too long now.

[Drumroll]

Drumroll said:

Costs are only likely to go one way. If I am honest rallying has been done "on the cheap" for too long now.

And I make that comment as someone who loves rallying and wants it to continue.