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News & editorial
January 2004
Welcome to 2004 and may all your challenges be small ones.
First I'd like to wish Dave James a successful recovery from his problem with his foot.
He's ended up in the DRI under strict instructions to keep of his feet for 6 weeks - not something Dave, who always seems hyperactive, is enjoying. Still needs must. He would welcome visitors to Ward 24 but could you please ring Pat, his wife, and let her know when you intend to go - that way the place won't get too overcrowded. If you fancy going this coming Friday, the 16th, let me and Pat know as I'll be taking his Tappits to him when I've finished at work.
Secondly,hopefully you will have spotted that your January Tappits comes with a new front cover for which we have to thank Eric Wood our old stalwart.
Some good news for the WRC fans is that ITV is to take over the coverage of the World Rally Championship from Channel Four in a 3 year deal which adds to ITV's already impressive motorsport portfolio that includes the coverage of the F1 World Championship and the British Touring Car Championship. They will screen a one-hour programme every Sunday afternoon of each event, starting with the Monte Carlo Rally on January 25th and they will also front each event with a 30 minute magazine show previewing all rallies with extended coverage of the Wales Rally GB. So better put some blank video tapes on the shopping list in readiness.
The FIA's World Motorsport Council have clarified the 2004 WRC calendar. Key changes are Greece being moved back a week and Argentina moving to July to avoid a Formula 1 date clash. Oh, and not forgetting the Rally GB which replaces the Norking in September. Oh, no - that was the 80's - sorry about that...
The World Rally Championship calendar is as below:
2004 FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP
23-25 January Rallye Automobile Monte Carlo
6-8 February Uddeholm Swedish Rally
12-14 March Corona Rally Mexico
16-18 April Rally of New Zealand
14-16 May The Cyprus Rally
4-6 June Acropolis Rally
25-27 June Rally of Turkey
16-18 July Rally Argentina
6-8 August Neste Rally Finland
20-22 August ADAC Rallye Deutschland
3-5 September Rally Japan
17-19 September Wales Rally GB
1-3 October Rallye d'Italia - Sardigna
15-17 October Rallye de France - Tour de Corse
29-31 October Rally Catalunya - Rally de España
12-14 November Telstra Rally Australia
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Nearer home …………….
It's the International Historic Motorsport Show from 20-22 February at Stoneleigh Park near Coventry - an easy run for us all. I've included more information on the event later in Tappits which should wet your appetite. It looks like Dave Cobb will be attending with the Corolla and there's even an opportunity to marshal - call me if you are interested. If you want to go as a paying guest advance tickets can be purchased on line at a cost of £13.50 for adults and £6.50 for each child (aged 5 - 15). Go to www.heritage-motorsport.com and pick on 'Buy tickets online'. You can also buy them over the phone on 0870 906 2002.Looking at the details it may prove to be better than the Autosport Motorshow last weekend at the NEC.
Geoff and Sue Boud attended the NEC event promoting the Robin Hood Forest Stages Rally and said it was pretty busy. They received an email report on the Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship as follows: Press release: Monday, 12 January, 2004BHRC draws big interest at NEC
Competitor support for the 2004 Armajaro MSA British Historic Rally Championship is set to exceed the record set in 2003 judging by the response from prospective competitors at Autosport International. Championship organisers, the Historic Rally Car Register, had a major presence at the event (January 8-11) and reported tremendous interest from current and prospective entrants during the four days of the annual motorsport show at the Birmingham NEC.
Championship registrations could well top the 2003 season when a total of 109 drivers and 85 co-drivers registered for the BHRC.
Aside from the return of many leading competitors from 2003, the HRCR was delighted with the number of new enquiries received. "We've had interest from 30 totally new crews," reported championship co-ordinator Brian Thomas. "It has been an excellent show," he added.
The opening round of the 2004 BHRC is once again the Alternative Sign Centre Robin Hood Historic Forest Stages Rally on March 6/7. With nearly two months still to go to the Nottinghamshire event, the organisers have already received a flood of historic entries.
STOP PRESS - For those of you involved with the Robin Hood Forest Stages Rally you'll be pleased to know that as at 10th January we had already received 35 entries for the Historic Classes and the Modern entries are also coming in.Any one still able to help who hasn't already volunteered please shout now or contact any Club Committee member.
Another event not to be missed which this time is a social one is that offered by Gordon to visit the David Sutton Historic Motorsport Museum in Daventry. See Gordon's Gossip for further details and, if it's alright with you Gordon, I'd like my name on the list right away.
Finally - To all of you involved with the Trackrod Rally Yorkshire this message has been received from Amanda and Steve Smith:
Trackrod Rally Yorkshire - WELL DONE - To all of you and your families, Clubs, your teams, helpers and supporters THANK-YOU for your hard work and support. On Friday Rod picked up a surprise award at the PBRC awards evening - Best Rally of the year .
We appreciate how hard you all work and its really good that you are recognised as running an excellent event. Well done - Please pass the message on. By the way the date for 2004 is 2nd/3rd October.
John Sayles
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