by Rob Wilkins


TO HEAR THE INTERVIEW IN FULL WITH BRIAN STUBBINGS: CLICK HERE


Rallyday co-organiser, Brian Stubbings looks back on this year's event, which took place at the Castle Combe Circuit in the UK on Saturday, September 22 and reviews the action for Crash.net Radio...


Crash.net:
Brian, in a few words, sum up your thoughts on this year's Rallyday?

Brian Stubbings:
I'd say it was the best yet in terms of turn-out and attractions – and for the first time in three years the weather was kind to us as well. There were over 10,000 people in attendance in the end and it was very, very busy.

Crash.net:
Following on from the Rallyday at Castle Combe there was the 'The Rally Show at Chatsworth', the weekend after. Do you think that had an impact at all on crowd numbers?

BS:
It is difficult to say exactly, but I am sure some people would choose one event or the other. It is always difficult to put an exact figure on it but there probably would have been some impact.

Crash.net:
Is there room for two similar rally shows so close together?

BS:
I think you can question whether there is room for two rally shows at all. Basically a lot of the big rally teams only have very limited time and the risk is by having a couple of different rally shows those attractions get split rather than appear at both places. That then isn't quite so good for the fans. It is a fairly niche, specialist thing and the risk is it might not work for spectators if you have too many of them.

Crash.net:
From your own personal point of view, what was the highlight of this year's Rallyday?

BS:
Blimey! I'd have to say a couple of things - I can't boil it down to one. I'd probably say Hannu Mikkola in the Audi Quattro S1 E2 was a huge thing for me. Matt Wilson and Gwyndaf Evans in the WRC cars were good too. They both did some fairly flamboyant driving - and the Aston Martin Rally GT was awesome as well. It is kind of split between those three things – all for their own different reasons.

Crash.net:
What feedback did you get from the stars attending - people like Matthew Wilson, Hannu Mikkola and Phil Mills?

BS:
It has been really positive so far. I had a chance to have a bit of a chat with Hannu Mikkola on the day and he seemed to be enjoying it. It was good.

Crash.net:
This year the show benefited from an official tie-up with the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship. What was the reaction from the organisers and drivers' from the BRC to the event?

BS: