NEW FORMAT FOR RALLYE SUNSEEKER

 

A major rethink by the organising Southern Car Club, mindful of the continuing challenges of the economy, will give the traditional curtain-raiser to Britain’s National rallying calendar, Rallye Sunseeker, a fresh new look when it is staged on Friday and Saturday, February 26/27, 2010.

Key changes to the format include a Ceremonial Start in Poole on Friday evening, replacing the tarmac stage on the Bournemouth seafront, while the Finish Ceremony has been moved to Pier Approach in Bournemouth, allowing space for competitors and service crew to join the thousands of spectators who traditionally attend the champagne celebrations.

Benefits for competitors include entry fees REDUCED from 2009, offering cheaper cost per mile, with the discounted two-wheel-drive entry fee still in place, plus the introduction of the Sunseeker Trophy Rally, to encourage those who suffer an early retirement to restart.  Abandoning Friday’s stages removes the need for separate tarmac tyres and suspension, while a later start for scrutineering will also save many crews an extra night of accommodation costs.

Clerk of the Course Robert Pike said: “To quote American billionaire and stock market legend Warren Buffett: ‘Price is what you pay.  Value is what you get.’  And that neatly sums up the approach to our plans for Rallye Sunseeker 2010.

“Ever mindful of the tough economic times that we all face, we knew that, if we were to ask people to invest both precious time and money in Rallye Sunseeker, we had to offer greater value than ever before.

“That didn’t mean slashing mileage or cutting stages left, right and centre to chop 50 or 100 quid off the entry fee - that would have just cheapened the event and offered less for less! Rather, it meant maximising the enjoyment and minimising the costs wherever possible; that way, we could offer the best value for money . . . to competitors, officials, spectators and, of course, our sponsors.

“In some places, we have trimmed costs without, we believe, diluting the enjoyment; in other places, we have endeavoured to improve the show, without increasing the cost.”
 

Key elements of Rallye Sunseeker 2010 are these:

• total stage distance remains at 60 miles of forestry roads: for the first time, all are gravel stages, and will all run in one day
• entry fees REDUCED from 2009, offering cheaper cost per mile
• discounted two-wheel-drive entry fee maintained, to support clubmen running further down the field
• Friday night tarmac stages abandoned: no need for competitors to source separate tarmac tyres and suspension
• start of Friday scrutineering and documentation put back: potentially, this saves teams from further afield the cost of Thursday night accommodation . . . or might encourage them to switch to Saturday, and stay for the Awards Ceremony
• the two stages at Somerley Park remain: the grounds of this stately home provide one of British rallying’s most family-friendly venues, with displays, activities and demonstration runs. As usual, the organisers are working on one or two surprises to keep everyone entertained throughout the day . . .
• Friday afternoon’s scrutineering and documentation will once again be staged at the popular Littledown Centre, with commentary and driver interviews for spectators
• spectators will also be welcome at the highly-acclaimed Service Area, once again in the spacious and well-appointed Canford Park Arena; competitors will benefit from dedicated car wash and refuelling facilities

New elements for 2010 are:

• the Sunseeker Trophy Rally: competitors who retire from the main event early on will be encouraged to return for more action, rather than head home for ‘an early bath’
• the Ceremonial Start on Poole Quay: with a Civic Welcome Reception, Competitor Briefing and Group Photocall, Friday evening promises an electric atmosphere in the bars and restaurants along the picturesque quayside, as the entire field gathers to kick off the 2010 MSA Gravel Rally Championship in style
• the Finish Ceremony on Pier Approach: the climax of Rallye Sunseeker 2010 is moving, with the final regroup for competitors adjacent on the seafront, not at final service. These changes will give competitors and service crews the opportunity to join the thousands of spectators who turn out for the champagne celebrations

Summarising the changes, Pike added: “We’re confident that the 2010 event is shaping up to be the best-ever Rallye Sunseeker. But, at the end of the day, its success is down to everyone who participates, whatever role he or she chooses to fulfil. We very much hope to see many familiar faces, be they competitors, officials or spectators, in February.”

For further information:
e-mail – rallye@xenogamy-plc.co.uk
phone – 020 8773 3404
Rallye Sunseeker, The Old Bakery, 55A Belmont Road, Wallington, Surrey SM6 8TE