RICHARDS BEGINS HIS RETURN

IT’S BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE DAVID Richards has had any business on the stages of the World Rally Championship.

Last weekend, he was back. Inbound as Motor Sports Association chairman from

January 1, Richards fired up the chopper and pointed it in the direction of Corris for a Saturday morning mooch around a world he has ruled from both sides.

The effect he had was quite remarkable. His car’s arrival in the middle of the regroup area caused a significant hue and cry among the marshals, but as soon as the door opened and DR flashed his ‘see, you do know who I am’ smile, everything was well with the world.

It’s impossible not to be impressed with Richards in this kind of situation. He had a moment for everybody and was predictably well versed in every aspect of the event, Elfyn’s lead and the championship connotations. We chatted about the event’s success and the need to further the reach of the sport to the masses and then he was gone.

Back in the helicopter, he was bound for the woods he would once have called his backyard. As well as his trademark Penhaligon’s scent, DR left behind a genuine sense of anticipation and excitement about what was about to come next year.

“You can’t fail but to be impressed,” said Howard Davies as the pair of us stood in the downdraft. “He knows just what’s needed and just how to do it.”

It’s true. Such is Richards’ ability across all aspects of the commercial and sporting side of our sport, it’s impossible not to look to the future of British motorsport, and particularly British rallying, without a significant degree of confidence.

And, if all else fails, at least we’ll have a chairman with Ari Vatanen and Colin Mcrae stories on tap.