Less than 12 hours after the 1998 Winter Rally Awards Ceremony had come to a close, the Organising Team met over coffee in the lounge of the Wessex Hotel, Rally HQ in Bournemouth. Despite their tiredness – running an event such as this is knackering – they were already thinking about 1999 and different ways in which things could be done. Despite the enthusiasm it really wasn’t the time or the place, so the team dispersed to prepare their reports and recommendations for debrief meeting that would take place in a few weeks time.

Prior to the debrief meeting every member of the team was sent a pack containing all the compiled reports together with a copy of the report from the MSA Observer who had attended the event for possible inclusion in the 1999 British Rally championship. All the reports were analysed in great detail and recommendations for improvements discussed. Additionally, the MSA had asked if the Winter Rally wanted to be included in the following years British Rally Championship. A fairly lengthy discussion ensued in which every member of the team was asked to state their point of view. The result was that the team decided NOT to accept the invitation for 1999, but seek to further improve the event.

With an action plan in mind, the various members departed to start work on the thousand and one things that come together to make the event what it is - the premier event of its type.

The work begins

The route planning, equipment, safety, results, finance and marketing teams together with the Deputy and assistant Clerks of The Course now set to work in earnest. Budgets had to be calculated. Numerous meetings held with Bournemouth Tourism, the local councils, the police, landowners and Forest Enterprise. Many of these activities are inter-linked. Routes can’t be finalised until the landowners agree. The cost of any work required particularly on the forest roads has to be negotiated with Forest Enterprise for the budget. Safety plans can’t be finalised until the route is decided on. The vast amount of equipment required to be checked and repaired or replaced where necessary. Even then as changes may be made to the route a reserve has to be allowed for. Sane people would call it a nightmare!

In early summer the marketing team met in Bournemouth to plan the various aspects of the event, such as Rally FM, Official Programme Advertising, Banner sites, Sponsorship and Corporate Hospitality. Shortly after this the marketing brochure was produced and widely distributed. This included a Corporate Hospitality Special Stage at Somerley Park, a new venue, some 6 miles in length.

1999 Event gains Patron and NEW SPONSOR

The Earl of Normanton, owner of Somerley Park, the Corporate Hospitality Special Stage, had agreed to become patron of the event.

Then came the best news of all. Rick Smith had for some time been discussing with Sunseeker Sales UK Ltd., increasing their already generous involvement with the rally. As a result, for the next 3 years, the premier round of the National Rally Championship will be known as Rallye Sunseeker.

By the end of 1998 the route had been finalised and a draft road book produced. Medical & Safety Teams had been booked. Regulations had been produced and published.

But the work still wasn’t finished

The new headline sponsor meant that all the event documentation would require a change of logo. Although this had already been done for the regulations it needed to be carried through to the – Road Books – Service Packs – Management Packs – Stage Time Cards – Stage Passage Cards and a thousand and one other documents.

The change also meant additional work for the Equipment Team. Every sign that previously carried the old logo would now have to carry the Sunseeker legend. Also the change to the Rally Show venue and a new route through the Service Area at Meyrick Park meant that new signage would have to be made.

By the middle of January some 400 man days had been expended in the organisation of the event. It hasn’t stopped yet. In the run up to the event each member of the team will fine tune his or her area of responsibility and put the last pieces into place.

A week before the Rallye Sunseeker the Official Programme will be delivered to numerous outlets in Bournemouth and the surrounding area . The Stage Set Up Teams will load up the tons of equipment they take with them to ensure the success of the event.

Early in the week that the event is held the Stage Set Up Teams arrive in Bournemouth and start the hard work of putting in place all the stakes, arrows, chicanes and safety taped areas that are required.

Their work does not stop there. On the morning of the event, they are out on the stages putting the finishing touches to days of work. During the event they are responsible for making changes to or reversing the route on the stages. Their work ensures consistency and accuracy in the layout of the competitive sections.

As the stages are completed the Stage Set Up Teams dismantle their equipment return it to their hotel in Boscombe, where it is sorted and packed back into the transport late on Saturday night. For most people that would be enough. For these guy’s there is a sting in the tail. Once they get back to the club’s stores on the Sunday, everything has to be unloaded and packed away. It is a contribution that is much appreciated both by the organising team but particularly by the competitors.

Midweek sees the arrival of the Marketing Team at Rally HQ, closely followed by the Clerk of the Course. A final meeting is held Wednesday evening to deal with any outstanding issues.

As the week progresses other members of the organising team arrive to take up their places.

The Rally Office, Results Office, Stewards Office and Press Room are equipped. Phone lines installed or re-routed. Photocopiers are delivered and computers installed. The Safety Officer will inspect the stage layouts making any necessary recommendations. Marquees will begin to go up at the Corporate Hospitality Stage.

Friday morning sees more marquees going up for the Rally Show and the various exhibitors arriving for the Midday start. While the start ramp is being erected late afternoon outside the town hall, the Stage Set Up Teams, Safety Officer, Assistant and Deputy

Clerks of the Course are still out on the stages ensuring everything is in place for the following day.

Earlier in the day the Documentation Team and Scrutineers arrive at Two Rivers Meet to begin the processing of the 120 competitors. This will take some 6 hours. Once all the competitors have been through this process, the team have to produce detailed entry lists to be presented at the meeting of the Stewards of the event later that evening.

Once all that is done the organising team may find time for a meal – last year it was at midnight!

Be part of the rally – by marshalling

In spite of more than a years work in the planning and organisation of the event, it will not succeed without a literal army of volunteer marshals. If you are available to help, please don’t wait to be asked – volunteer –

YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU.

If you can help on Saturday 27th February please contact the Chief Marshal – Dave Walton on 01483 502392

If you can marshal on Friday 26th February at the Rally Show and Scrutineering please contact Chris Morford on 0802 757185 or 01903 814944

Works Teams To Enter Rallye Sunseeker

The reputation of the Bournemouth based rally always ensures the presence of the top rally drivers in the country contesting the National Rally Championship, complemented by the skills of those contesting the regional and one make championships that are also part of the event.

Such is the reputation of the event combined with the marketing potential of the only major special stage rally in the south of England that Renault U.K. have decided to enter the works Meganes. It is very likely that several other of the manufacturers teams will follow suit.

Rallye Sunseeker looks to be a bigger success than ever!