DAVID ADDISON
“The Oulton Park stage was excellent”
Acompetition car in full cry at Oulton Park after 1900hrs is a rare thing. Local planning regulations have always meant that the word “curfew” has been imbued into the minds of Oulton officials and fans for decades. And yet, at 1908hrs on Thursday, Matt Edwards broke new ground as he blasted his Ford Fiesta away to Lodge Corner.
Undeniably, this was a big deal for the circuit and the event. Both Motorsport Vision and Wales Rally GB wanted this to work and when the gates opened at 1500hrs it seemed the fans did as well. In they poured, some heading trackside, others to the paddock where a collection of cars from Rally GBS past offered a trip down memory lane, although sadly they were behind barriers. One drooled from afar.
Big screens kept fans entertained in the build-up, relaying live pictures from the start at Liverpool and highlights of previous WRC rounds. If you could hear the audio over the sound of the local DJ and his deafeningly-loud music, you were in no doubt as to what had been happening in WRC 2019.
The autograph session was a big hit, queues stretching way back from the drivers’ tables, although sadly the interview session in the paddock came at a time when the fans were heading to their vantage points and it was conducted on a local PA system only. That, undoubtedly, needed a bigger reach as the likes of Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Ott Tanak talked candidly before they headed for SS1.
The stage was excellent. A fantastic use of the circuit had been delivered with Old Hall Corner being fast and spectacular, the tight Foster’s-intohislop’s section showing heavy braking and cornering and the watersplash a hit with the fans who loved the drama of it – plus, they couldn’t get much wetter.
In fact, looking at the faces of people around the circuit, there wasn’t much to complain about. Well, OK, the rain, but as one rally fan told me: “This is proper rally weather, boy.” So there. But…personally, I just wish it had been in daylight. You could have seen so much more, and enjoyed it so much more. Yes, I know there was a 750 Motor Club event booked for the Saturday but maybe next year it could be a Saturday stage and the Nationals run through as well. Perhaps…
Overall, though, top job. Now, when is the Neil Howard Stages Motorsport News Circuit Rally event?
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