Rally of Kent and Kent Forestry Stages 13th October 2001

ost members will be aware that we have been active for a number of years now running a set of stages on the Kent Forestry Stages, which has been organised by Bexley Light Car Club.  We have not been alone in this action as Maidstone and Mid Kent Car Club have been doing the same.  This year however the nature and therefore the organisation of the event is changing dramatically.

Within the last twelve months the structure of the British Rally Championship has changed and the manufacturers have set up their own Super 1600 Championship.  At times it will run adjacent to the traditional British Rally Championship rounds but at others will look to new areas i.e. Kent.  It is their aim to bring rallying to the people rather than entertaining the sheep in Wales.

This is where we come in.  BLCC were approached to host the event and subsequently approached ourselves and Maidstone to co-promote the event with them.  Normally the rally runs at three venues with 70 or so competitors but now it will be six to eight locations with 140 competitors, as the Super 1600 championship brings with it several of the one make championships (Puma, KA, Polo etc).

I trust that the picture is becoming clearer, the event will be bigger than anything we've been involved with in the recent past.  The Rally of Kent will have a substantial Rally Show the night before and a dedicated TV programme on Sky afterwards, plus there will be a review programme at the end of the Championship.

We are not forgetting the roots of the event though; the Clubmens event will still be there with no extra costs to those competitors.  This will still be known by its traditional name "The Kent Forestry Stages".

Most of the key posts are in place (you know what is coming next) but we still need to find personnel for the remaining positions namely Chief Marshal and Press and PR.  Due to the nature of the event the Chief Marshal's role will be mainly administrative, the recruitment and allocation of marshals prior to the event.  Therefore marshalling experience is not essential.  Press and PR speaks for itself and is a vital role.  Can you help in these or in any other way?  If so or you just want to find out a bit more give either George Vost  or myself a call.

Colin Billings

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