SOME CHEER FOR RALLYING
Forest rallying has perhaps been hit hardest in motorsport throughout the global health pandemic and was desperate for some good news. Finally, this week, it seems to have had a hearty slap on the back from Forestry England, which has given a resounding thumbs up to the discipline. The result of its review into the use of its estates for motorsport was by no means a given. Just because rallying has a heritage in between the trees in this country, that was no guarantee of a future along the same lines. But the rally community responded in its droves to let the governors know that forest events were the lifeblood of rallying in this country and the authorities have listened.
There are many examples when bureaucrats have been urged to be sympathetic and have gone in totally the opposite direction. Thank goodness this was not one of those occasions.
The work doesn’t stop here though. As Forestry England has rightly pointed out, there needs to be a sustainable future. It has said that it needs to understand motorsport better to maintain its position through the trees, and it also hopes that a great appreciation of the discipline might even open rallying up to some fresh audiences.
Crucially, though, Forestry England has also said that both it and the rallying community needs to look at ways of reducing the environmental footprint of the events it permits.
That might make some hard-core motorsport folk shudder, but it is a reality of modern-day competition. It is an aspect that both organisers and competitors will have to take seriously to make sure that the forests remain open for action in the years to come. The answer could very well be in the hands of those already in the service park.
Elsewhere in Motorsport News this week, our question-andanswer subject is former British Touring Car Championship battler Patrick Watts. Although the charismatic racer knocked hard on the door of a victory, it never quite happened for him or Peugeot (or Mazda).
Deputy editor Graham Keilloh looks at how online gaming and training is creating a new breed of competitor, while Scott Mitchell takes an in-depth look at the prospects for Fernando Alonso’s 2021 grand prix return. Also, reporter Luke Barry reflects on 10 of the best wins (among a total of 50) from multiple
WRC champion Sebastien Ogier