Q&A: Juan Suberville (Rally Mexico).

The FIA revealed the 2004 World Rally Championship calendar today, and for the first time ever, Mexico will host a round next season. Here Juan Suberville, president of the organising committee, talks achieving inclusion in the WRC, and a lot, lot more...

Q:
This is the first time Mexico has ever hosted a round of the World Rally Championship. It is the ultimate achievement - what does it mean to have led Corona Rally Mexico into the series?

Juan Suberville:
Firstly I must say that our rally director, Patrick Suberville, led the team - he led all of us and of course we are extremely proud. I think the achievement is the work of a lifetime in the sport. I remember when I was a co-driver 30 years ago, sitting in little cars competing over dirt roads in Mexico. Back then I never dreamt we could have a World Rally Championship event here, never mind us be the ones to organise it! From those days to where we are now - having secured a WRC event for our country - is simply amazing, for all of us.

Q:
This is history in the making for Mexico. What impact do you think this world-class event will have on the country and the State of Guanajuato?

JS:
The State of Guanajuato has told us that the rally had a significant economic impact over the last two years and it is anticipating this to double next year. The Governor and the entire cabinet are thrilled; they see this as a great promotional opportunity and have pledged their total support to the project, so I think it can only reap greater and greater rewards. The sport is still growing in Mexico and it is not well-known all over the country - it is our responsibility to change this.

Q:
The State Government, City of Guanajuato and municipal authorities have given total support to Corona Rally Mexico. How important has this, and the support from other organisations, been to the development of the event?

JS:
It has been enormously important and each and every organisation is part of our success today and the reason we are part of next year's World Rally Championship. The support from the Government of Guanajuato has been growing year by year and it provides enormous help with police, hotels and other services. We have their total backing for 2004 and I think maybe this is quite unique compared to some other events. Corona has been with us for many years; they shared our dream which is also exceptional, and we are looking forward to further developing and enhancing our partnership with them and all our sponsors.

Q:
It has obviously taken a lot of hard work and dedication from everyone associated with the rally to finally realise this dream. What has been your long-term strategy for inclusion in the World Rally Championship?

JS:
Our planning started about five years ago and it was always our thinking to get into the World Rally Championship. We had a business plan and in the first year we ran a small rally, very quietly. The second year things moved up a gear and then we went for observation by the FIA in 2001. I think this is very much the same path for all events. We had a plan and the plan has happened exactly as we thought. Maybe there has been an extra year's cushion to get into the World Championship, but now is the right time - this is the right year for us.

Q:
What do you think ultimately made the difference this year?

JS:
That is a tough question because we thought we ran a good event last year too! Looking back though I think one of the main points is the venue, a key point actually. The Poliforum provides fantastic facilities seen no where else in the World Championship. Also, many people from the FIA came to Mexico this year to really talk about it and touch the rally for themselves. Obviously we have had observers in the past, but never the level of people we had this year. Maybe the FIA wanted a rally in Mexico and when these people saw our organisation was very good and that the mountains and roads were in top condition, everything was instantly married.

Q:
The event obviously ran to a very high standard this year so do you envisage there being a big transition to World Championship level?

JS:
This year's event completely complied with FIA regulations and in 2004 this will obviously be the same, but clearly the rally will be different because of the level of teams who will be coming. There are many top people who will come with a lot of experience and that is really the biggest consideration and what we have to plan for the most. It is not something that is easily practiced though until you are actually part of the series. We know the rules and the regulations and will work very hard to make sure we know how to react to situations with the team principals and leading drivers. We have no concerns about the running of the event at all, or the infrastructure we have here because I think it more than equals what everyone expects. We are never complacent though and will do everything we can to make sure our event is perfect for everyone.

Q:
What unique qualities do you think the teams, drivers, media and people visiting the rally will find in Leon and the State of Guanajuato?

JS:
First of all they will find the Mexicans, and that is very important! Mexican people like big parties, they like international visitors and they love to welcome people and show them their country. That is the most important thing. The second biggest thing is that they will find the organising team is young, smiling, willing and ready to do everything possible to ensure everyone is happy, about everything. And thirdly, they will find a state and a city that is large, clean and has everything available for them to have a very good stay. There are many good restaurants, hotels and good places for parting. They will find themselves very much at home in our country.

Q:
The objective of being included in the World Rally Championship has now been achieved, so what are the future goals?

JS:
We will be looking to establish the rally so we can run it with great confidence, but our immediate goal is to be one of the top three rallies in the Championship next year. At the same time we are always looking to develop the event and make improvements, and we have a good team capable of recognising those opportunities.