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Hi, this is a first time post from a non competitor. I don't want to step on peoples toes or upset people, but there's a question that's puzzled me for some time.
I'm an ex-pat Brit who has lived and worked in the US or the last 9 years. While I've competed in road racing, autocross, sprints and hillclimbs, I've never competed in a rally, although I've been a long time fan. While I've been monitoring/lurking on Specialstage for some time, the recent tragic events have finally persuaded me to join and chime in.
One thing that I've never understood since moving here is why there is no equivalent, that I'm aware of, to British single venue events. These are very popular in the UK. For those who may not be familiar with the format, these are one day events hold on private land, often old abandoned WWII airfields. They are predominantly tarmac (asphalt) or concrete based, although broken/gravel/dirt surfaces are common. A series of stages are set up using old runways, taxiways, access roads etc. As they are on a single private location it strikes me as having many advantages for the organizers. It makes it much easier to control spectator access and location. One site/site owner to deal with. No road closures or public access issues. Greatly reduced personnel requirements. And the biggie, I would imagine it's much easier to insure.
It also has many advantages for competitors, centralized single location, no need for road transit, easier timekeeping/navigation. Probably less wear and tear on the vehicle due to the closed surface. No, it may not provide the same level of thrill as hurtling down a tree line logging trail or similar, but I would think it could prove a more accessible cheaper format for many people to start, or even stay at that level. I could be totally wrong and off base. Perhaps this has been discussed previously. If so sorry for wasting time. I'd just like to know what competitors and organizers view is of something like this.
Thanks for reading my long ramble
Adrian Thompson
I'm an ex-pat Brit who has lived and worked in the US or the last 9 years. While I've competed in road racing, autocross, sprints and hillclimbs, I've never competed in a rally, although I've been a long time fan. While I've been monitoring/lurking on Specialstage for some time, the recent tragic events have finally persuaded me to join and chime in.
One thing that I've never understood since moving here is why there is no equivalent, that I'm aware of, to British single venue events. These are very popular in the UK. For those who may not be familiar with the format, these are one day events hold on private land, often old abandoned WWII airfields. They are predominantly tarmac (asphalt) or concrete based, although broken/gravel/dirt surfaces are common. A series of stages are set up using old runways, taxiways, access roads etc. As they are on a single private location it strikes me as having many advantages for the organizers. It makes it much easier to control spectator access and location. One site/site owner to deal with. No road closures or public access issues. Greatly reduced personnel requirements. And the biggie, I would imagine it's much easier to insure.
It also has many advantages for competitors, centralized single location, no need for road transit, easier timekeeping/navigation. Probably less wear and tear on the vehicle due to the closed surface. No, it may not provide the same level of thrill as hurtling down a tree line logging trail or similar, but I would think it could prove a more accessible cheaper format for many people to start, or even stay at that level. I could be totally wrong and off base. Perhaps this has been discussed previously. If so sorry for wasting time. I'd just like to know what competitors and organizers view is of something like this.
Thanks for reading my long ramble
Adrian Thompson