Trouble for historics
With all that has happened to rallying over the last few years with deaths, insurance, safety equipment renewals, historic running order and loss of events, it’s hard to imagine the sport being able to withstand much more.
It is my understanding, however, that there is something on the horizon that is not so much a nail in the coffin, more the cremation afterwards.
Historic rallying is the only bright star in British events but, from next May, all modified road-going cars will need to have a declaration that they were not ‘substantially changed’ after 1988. ‘Substantially changed’ includes cars where the power-to-weight ratio is more that 15 per cent over original and do not amass enough points on the DVLA’S modified vehicle system to be classed as original.
This takes into account changes to engine, bodyshell (principally the bulkhead and the transmission tunnel), gearbox and axle, and will be rigidly enforced.
Owners will have to declare that their car meets the rules every time they tax their car online. As an example, every Escort that was originally a 1300 and has a BDG, ZF gearbox, Atlas axle and modified transmission tunnel will fail this test if prepared after 1988.
They will be subject to a Type Approval test and issued with a Q plate if they pass. All the recent, beautifully prepared historic cars and currently on their original number plate will have to go through a strict examination for light, headlights, sharp edges, etc. before getting a Q plate.
Even if you have declared that your engine has been changed during that time to the DVLA, you will still have to do this. I do not want a Q plate on my historic rally car and will no longer do rallies other than demonstrations that do not require an MOT. I’ll bet a lot of others will do the same.
Please MSA, get involved with this and get an exemption for cars that are on the Historic Register on the basis that they are of significant historic interest in their modified form, and meet the MSA’S strict safety standards. Name and address supplied Cut us a deal In the recent news about the Rally Isle of Man and the stories ( MN, September 20), it’s about time that if events like these are to be part of the British Rally Championship then they should offer more to entice marshals to come from the UK and Ireland.
I’m sure officials are looked after, but organisers should be getting together with their local tourist information, hotels and B&BS and providing a list of them that will offer a discount for people to stay.
In the event of getting a ferry over to an island again, some events like Mull offer a fuel incentive. But, as we know, staying in places and what we spend on wear and tear on our vehicles still comes out of our own pocket.
If organisers like the Isle of Man, Mull, Jersey and Ireland need more marshals to cover their events then provide a good discount to come over because you cannot always rely on local cover.
The local Jersey crews have to provide six marshals. For the past few years I have been lucky to be asked by crews to marshal for them and they have sponsored me. It’s about time organisers offer more to the marshal as I bet visiting officials get their costs covered. Without us rallies wouldn’t be running.