Crash.net:
At least this year though both shows aren’t in September...
BS:
Yeah, they were pretty much on top of each other last year. It is better now that they are split either side of the summer. That will be better for both companies.
Crash.net:
What is the main theme for this year’s Rallyday?
BS:
It is a mixture. There isn’t any one single theme for this year. We have tried to look at the cross-section of what we think rally fans want to see. We have got bang up-to-date World Rally Cars through to some really quite incredible historic cars - including right back to a 1938 Chevrolet Rally Car, which will be out on display and giving a demo. It is a great mix.
Crash.net:
This is the eighth Rallyday you and Darin Frow have organised. Does it get any easier each year?
BS:
Elements of it are a lot easier now in terms of working with the different car clubs and traders. People know now what it is and they know what to expect. The bookings all tend to come in a lot earlier now. The challenge is always trying to find those interesting attractions though to make people want to keep coming back.
Crash.net:
How tough is it then to try and take it to the next level each year or are you happy with the level it is at now?
BS:
I think you can never leave it standing still and one thing we wanted to do this year was to make the 'Feature Rally Stage' a bit more exciting. As part of that we have done a re-design and there will be a bit more action out there as a result. You always need to do these little things to bring the event on.
We have also got another stage, which runs down the perimeter road and people will see a lot more action down there too. We have invested in a new start arch and different stage 'furnishings' and so it is going to have a bit more of a presence this year.
Crash.net:
Mitsubishi is again supporting the event - and as part of that you will have 2007 Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally champion, Guy Wilks in attendance. How crucial is Mitsubishi’s support and how much is it appreciated?
BS:
Mitsubishi’s support is fantastic. We have worked closely with the team based at Cirencester for a while now. They have supported the event with a World Rally Car for a number of years - and it is coming down again this year and Guy Wilks, the reigning British champion, will be driving it. That is terrific for us. But they also supply support vehicles as well, which we use to help with the Feature Stage set-up and that side of it. Between the displays they put on and that, it adds a lot of clout to the event - and it is all appreciated.
