Q&A: Brian Stubbings - Rallyday co-founder.

The Rallyday at Castle Combe has become a 'must' in recent years and last year, the event attracted nearly 10,000 people. Recently we caught up with Brian Stubbings, one of the co-founders of the event, to grill him about this years' show.

Here speaking exclusively to Crash.net Radio he tells us all about the event, which takes place this Saturday [August 13] and which promises to be the best yet...

Q:
Brian. First up can you give us a little bit of background information about the 2005 Rallyday, which is going to celebrate its fifth anniversary this year.

Brian Stubbings:
Well, myself and Darin Frow - the co-organiser - had an idea back in 2001, that there wasn't a dedicated rally show out there. So we set out to put on a good show and it involved things like car clubs, a couple of rallying celebrities, track action as well as some big displays in the paddock and to be honest it all sort of snow balled from there.

Q:
I believe you have got quite a few rally stars coming this year from the WRC and of course from the British Rally Championship as well?

BS:
Yeah that's right. We have got some great names this year - we have got everyone from Colin and Alister McRae and Bjorn Waldegard, who is a former world champion. We've got Gigi Galli, who is the current driver for Mitsubsihi and as well as that, people like Jonny Milner, Gwyndaf Evans and Michael Park and Phil Mills - some current co-drivers, Pentti Airikkala, Phil Short and national champion, Andy Gwynne as well.

Q:
Now that obviously sounds like a pretty star-studded line-up. Can you tell us about the cars that people can see?

BS:
We have got a great display coming this year from the Slowly Sideways organisation. They are bringing something like 30 original ex-works cars along - everything there ranging from an early 9-11 works car to the sort of Group B super cars of the 1980's - the Audi Quattros and so on, that sort of thing. Colin and Alister are going to be driving their own Mk 2 Escorts and those cars are privately owned and they are going to be out in those - so that should be quit spectacular. Gigi Galli will be out in the latest Mitsubishi World Rally Car too.

Q:
Castle Combe where it all takes place is not normally associated with rallying is it?

BS:
No it certainly isn't. I mean we have built good relations with the people here at the circuit over the last few years. It started off here because it is local to where myself and Darin live. We had a look at it and we thought it was an excellent spectator friendly venue - the ability to see all the action is terrific and in a circuit environment it keeps it safe and easy to control on that side. The facilities here are good in general and so we have carried on and just brought on different elements each year.

Q:
The event takes place on Saturday August 13 and it is one of the biggest events at Castle Combe I believe?

BS:
Yeah I mean, its interesting because when we started off, broadly about 2500 people came, which is still quite a reasonable crowd, but as we have gone through the years it has grown and grown. Last year we had about 10,000 people, which is equivalent to a big race day here. So yeah, it is nice to be a big part of the calendar overall.

Q:
Now people coming can see the stars and the machinery and so on, but what rides are available for those that want to get really close to the action?

BS:
We have got a number of white knuckle rides available on the day - from an MG ZR, to some front wheel drive Peugeots. We have also got Bowler Wildcats doing rides on the day as well and for a couple of lucky people there is going to be the opportunity for a ride with Colin and Alister McRae, that is going to be linked with an auction for 'Save the Children'. Details for that will be available on the day or in advance people can check out the website, which is rallyday.com.