JACK BENYON
“You can get close to the stars at Rally Forum”
It is difficult to pinpoint the highlight of Wales Rally GB, there are always so many. But mine takes place before the event actually starts.
The Rally Forum, organised by Broughton and Bretton Motor Club, is a fantastic informal event with the aim of a) raising money for charity and b) giving a microphone to rally stars, past and present.
Enough to fill the billing on his own, British Rally Championship co-driver turned unintentional stand-up comedian Howard Davies is the perfect light-hearted host, while BRC event winner Ryan Champion brings an encyclopaedic knowledge of all things rally.
Then there’s the guests. This year Nicky Grist will partner Juha Kankkunen as the stars, with a guarantee of a story you’ve not heard before. This is what makes the forum so special; the stars are a different breed when there’s no microphone shoved in their face or some sort of TV backlighting fired into their skulls.
This is an event by rally fans for rally fans. And top of the agenda for the ex-toyota pairing will be that snowy RAC in 1993, 25 years ago, and Kankkunen’s first of three Rally GB wins in 1987, when the event was based in Chester. Grist has a few memories of the event with a bloke called Mcrae, too. You may have heard of him.
On the billing this year is Malcolm Wilson to talk all things M-sport. Davies won’t be letting him off when it comes to questions about what’s next for the team post-sebastien Ogier. Citroen driver Craig Breen also joins as does Hyundai team boss Alain Penasse. Kev Furber, Tom Williams and BRC champions elect Matt Edwards/ Darren Garrod also fill the line-up. And there’s always special guests brought in last minute that throw a few surprises.
In an age where modern day stars are watching hours of onboard footage before events, it is so rare to have such access to the drivers after the recce and before the event, and with Grist and Kankkunen the history fans will be well pleased.
Broughton and Bretton Motor Club is a small one, and the event has the feeling of one organised by a proper event company rather than a family-run affair.
That’s thanks to rally co-driver Brynmor Pierce and others including, but not limited to, David Forrester, Michael Hughes, Simon Rogers, Wendy Robinson and Alan Jones.
If you fancy fever in abundance, get yourselves down to Chester Racecourse at 1930hrs this evening (October 3) and you will not be disappointed. If you are disappointed, I’ll field complaints in person as I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Raising thousands of pounds through the ticket sales and a charity auction for the Welsh Air Ambulance – which has rescued hundreds of rally crews in its time – is just a happy bonus and a magic opportunity.
Tickets are available on the door and are priced at £14, with free parking.