[ERC] JDS Machinery Rali Ceredigion 30.8-1.9.2024

[Steve Boyd]

The Manx even with Rothmans backing back in the 80s never really saw the level of entries that some adjacent "mainland" European rallies did. Think the classic year of 88 when both Snijers and Tabaton along with Droogmans etc showed up was one of the few exceptions.

It was Tudor Webasto in 1988. It was the first year I was part of the results team on the event and I was involved on every one after that. Part of the problem for the Europeans is that they didn't like the bumpy tarmac as most of them were used to much smoother roads meaning they often struggled with setup and enticements like free entry & travel assistance weren't enough when they could do any one of dozens of events they were used to to get points. They only ever came when they really needed coefficient 20 points for their championship bid.
As an aside, there was also a historic rally that year and the big Healies & Sunbeam Tigers then were no older than an Escort WRC car is now!

As for Scotland and the IRC ...

Worked on results on those too!

[Sal yet again]

Did every Manx from 82 thru to 89 as a marshal/spectator Steve, so aware of the sponsorship change and nature of the the rally which I agree was probably too specialist for a lot of the Europeans. The point I was trying to make though is that even in the days of the co-efficient system holding a rally towards the end of the season when the title race was down to a handful of drivers with strong local competition on an event that not many of the ERC had previously done was not the strongest draw. Ceredigion being held only a couple of weeks after the biggest rally of the championship year probably hasnt helped either. There are plenty of non-uk drivers on that list lets be honest its just that they are not in premier leauge machinery.

[Jarek Z]

I have just had a look at the national entry list and... there are 4 crews driving Land Rover Defenders??? What kind of idea is behind it?
https://www.raliceredigion.co.uk/fil...entry_list.pdf

[Jarek Z]

Do I see Mark Higgins and Gwyndaf Evans there? They should be on the main entry list!

[MartijnS]

Probably the military Land Rover cup? Running for at least 15 years already I think.

[dodge33cymru]

Expected the ERC entries to be fairly low but really poor BRC turnout on the whole, compared to the (disastrous) first rally of the season.

I have just had a look at the national entry list and... there are 4 crews driving Land Rover Defenders??? What kind of idea is behind it?
https://www.raliceredigion.co.uk/fil...entry_list.pdf

It's part of an army training programme for engineers - get drivers to wreck them and get the young mechanics to learn how to fix and maintain them.

[Jarek Z]

It's part of an army training programme for engineers - get drivers to wreck them and get the young mechanics to learn how to fix and maintain them.

Wow! What a great idea! I have never heard about it. I think RallyTV should make a story about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2CF_t2NveQ

[Mirek]

Wow! What a great idea! I have never heard about it. I think RallyTV should make a story about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2CF_t2NveQ

I remeber it from WRC Wales Rally GB.

[J4MIE]

Wow! What a great idea! I have never heard about it. I think RallyTV should make a story about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2CF_t2NveQ

They’ve been competing on events for decades, it is an old tradition. It takes some talent and lack of fear (& brains?!) to drive them quickly….

[J4MIE]

As well as the ERC coverage you’ll have the option of watching the Special Stage live coverage of the National field (nobody else is allowed to film the International (I presume the BRC will be emptying their sponsors wallets to pay the ERC to use their footage)).