This year’s Rally GB will again be based in the forests of North and Central Wales with the headquarters and service park close to Chester, but this year there will be not one but two title sponsors for the event.
The primary sponsor this year will a short term car insurance company, Dayinsure, a subsidiary of Aviva and Allianz, while the secondary sponsor will be the Welsh Government, which this year has reduced its financial support.
The shift of commercial support is evidenced by the inclusion of a short stage in England on the Saturday afternoon.
With the controversial proposed large increase of charges made by the Welsh authorities for use of their land, it is surprising that the stage distance this year is increased by 8%, a requirement of the FIA to ensure the stage distance is at least 25% of the total distance.
The organisers say: “The forestry charges situation has had no impact on event planning. Entry fees have not been announced yet. The Dayinsure partnership is financial, but has nothing to do with the forest charges situation.
“Because the Welsh Government has slightly reduced its financial support, IMS (event promoter) needs to seek further commercial support from elsewhere.”
It is known that there are ongoing discussions about the charges issue, which affects forest rallying in all this region, not just Rally GB.
- Martin Holmes
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