Preston Rally

[Simon Bentley]

Was good to know there were responders close at hand for recovery duties last night just in case, but fortunately Rich and I (car 23) didn't have to call on your services, though a good number of our fellow competitors weren't so lucky.

Caught up briefly with some of the Hertfordshire guys but never really go chance to say hi to the guys from Brecklands RR, though I can confirm you were given a mention at the drivers briefing.

All told a pretty good night for us, slight drama over a suspected dodgy starter, solved at first petrol by yours truly, was a poor connection at the battery, cut lead, strip, reattach - sorted. Pretty happy with 10th OA, not sure if I'll be back again in the left hand seat but I may take my own car down for next year for a play myself.

[cnapier826]

????

Steam rally? Vintage car rally?


We are not mind readers.

(Why do I even read this forum).

[Simon Bentley]

????

Steam rally? Vintage car rally?


We are not mind readers.

(Why do I even read this forum).

That's ok cos the post wasn't aimed at you but at those that went.

But anyway - http://chelmsfordmc.co.uk/Preston

[cnapier826]

AHH! The anti 4x4 club.

[cnapier826]

Many of us log on to the forum, then click new posts.

No. Lets face it, I am so disillusioned with the national forum that the bookmark is to be deleted.

[suvvey]

Have to admit the following quote from the rally's web page is a little hard to swallow.

"Please note that the 2012 Preston (next year) will not allow any vehicles that look like an off road 4WD, for example Land Rovers. The reason for this is that off road 4WDs are becoming a major nuisance and source of surface damage to some of our landowners and indeed to us considering the number of public rights of way that can no longer be used. Therefore it is not appropriate for us to allow a vehicle that looks as if it is an off-road 4WD to compete on our event."

Especially as I regularly frequent the byways around Elveden. Maybe I'm just reading it wrong and it's aimed at the off piste jack asses but it doesn't read like it to me.

[Grizzly]

Had me confused then as I was thinking of Preston in Lancashire!

[Simon Bentley]

Had me confused then as I was thinking of Preston in Lancashire!

It is bu t Preston Garage the sponsor of 33 years standing isn't

Just got my photo proofs through

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DUjrrLOo3w8/TtvfNB-G7hI/AAAAAAAALNQ/P6yAzt4zBHo/s912/23.jpg

[PeteRestall]

AHH! The anti 4x4 club.

Clive,

As discussed on our club forum: Not an "anti 4x4 Club", but a club that wants to continue doing what they do and feel the need to adhere to the Landowners wishes for this particular event (which I know, just about all clubs would do).

This was the 33rd running of an charity fundraising event that has become known as ("The one and only Preston Rally").

So feel free to fight for your right to enter your Izusu into next years event, it may mean that the other 60 odd competitors, driving vehicles that don't look like big 4x4's that want to compete, may not be able too as the event would have to be cancelled.

[Simon Bentley]

AHH! The anti 4x4 club.

Yes but not for the reasons you mean.

4wd is banned on the event for all vehicles - the subaru at car 5 was converted to 2wd , there is one part of the route where anything taller than a saloon car can't pass anyway and on that event of all events it purveys an unfair advantage.

But generally 4wd is considered by many in rallying to have ruined it as a spectator event and taking a lot of the fun out for the participants too - the late great Colin McRae being one who was quite vocal on that.

But do you really think I would be associating myself with an organisation that is anti 4x4 per se.

[Renny Thomson]

Good result Simon. Plot and bash or selectives?
Organising Navigationals can be a PR nightmare and damage to land or PR hassle only results in losing the use of it for future events. Tough section put the onus on good teamwork and limiting the vehicles performance, or specifying 2wd only can be one way to avoid silly speeds on public highways.


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[Simon Bentley]

Good result Simon. Plot and bash or selectives?
Organising Navigationals can be a PR nightmare and damage to land or PR hassle only results in losing the use of it for future events. Tough section put the onus on good teamwork and limiting the vehicles performance, or specifying 2wd only can be one way to avoid silly speeds on public highways.

The "One and Only" Preston is an event like no other, and I've done events all over England and in Wales, Scotland and Ireland. 95% on unsurfaced roads the bulk of them private land too, it doesn't really fall into the usual plot and bash or selectives type description. There was no competition on surfaced public roads as I recall and of course all average speeds were at or below the required legal maximums - will PM you a bit more Renny.

[GrahamPowys]

I will point out to those that are complaining, that it is the MSA, not Chelmsford CC, that doesn't allow 4x4 vehicles of any kind to enter a Road Rally, although they can enter a Navigational Rally.
The Preston is a Road Rally only!

[Simon Bentley]

I will point out to those that are complaining, that it is the MSA, not Chelmsford CC, that doesn't allow 4x4 vehicles of any kind to enter a Road Rally, although they can enter a Navigational Rally.
The Preston is a Road Rally only!

Not true I'm afraid - plenty of 4x4s still doing Road Rally permit events, though I believe some welsh events ban them too hence the number of 2wd scoobies down there. Toying with the idea of converting mine to 4wd as it happens.

[cnapier826]

Clive,

As discussed on our club forum: Not an "anti 4x4 Club", but a club that wants to continue doing what they do and feel the need to adhere to the Landowners wishes for this particular event (which I know, just about all clubs would do).

This was the 33rd running of an charity fundraising event that has become known as ("The one and only Preston Rally").

So feel free to fight for your right to enter your Izusu into next years event, it may mean that the other 60 odd competitors, driving vehicles that don't look like big 4x4's that want to compete, may not be able too as the event would have to be cancelled.


I believe I am allowed to have an opinion. That is how I see them from the detail on thier forum.

I am not even going to reply to your last paragraph.

[suvvey]

I can't speak for others but my point was not that they don't let 4x4's compete but the reason they give.

"Please note that the 2012 Preston (next year) will not allow any vehicles that look like an off road 4WD, for example Land Rovers. The reason for this is that off road 4WDs are becoming a major nuisance and source of surface damage to some of our landowners and indeed to us considering the number of public rights of way that can no longer be used. Therefore it is not appropriate for us to allow a vehicle that looks as if it is an off-road 4WD to compete on our event."

What ever the Rally's official feelings on the matter, I think it is pretty obvious that who ever wrote the above seems to blame 4x4's for damage to byways in the area.

Does the Rally course use the RoW around Elveden or only the land owners private roads?

As for competing in the Rally and those that assisted I've nothing but congratulations.

[Simon Bentley]

Does the Rally course use the RoW around Elveden or only the land owners private roads?

Predominantly private land but some RoW.

And lets face it most of us know, have come across or are aware of people who do indiscriminately damage lanes by using them inappropriately. They do not say all 4x4 users do this just that damage is occuring. The organisers wish to distance themselves from this in order to curry favour with local landowners and tbh I can't blame them - the event has run for 33 years if dissociating themselves from 4x4s allows them to do another 33 years can you really blame them.

I would point out that far from being anti 4x4 many of the organisers themselves were driving 4x4s, as were over 50% of the marshals at a guess and of course they had asked Brecklands to assist with recovery and other duties.

That statement is all about spin - to curry favour with landowners etc and to give a reason to those who might wish to enter a Maverick or Frontera (used in previous years) locked into 2wd in the future.

[GrahamPowys]

Not true I'm afraid - plenty of 4x4s still doing Road Rally permit events, though I believe some welsh events ban them too hence the number of 2wd scoobies down there. Toying with the idea of converting mine to 4wd as it happens.
edit

[Tony Ferrari]

Whilst i can't say I agree with the sentiment behind the no 4x4 type vehicles (as opposed to just no four wheel drive) and can see why it's become necessary.

Having dealt with one of the major Land Owners in the area (the Elvedon Estate) in the past they do suffer from a lot of illegal 4x4 use of their private tracks of which there are many in the area. The whole thing is about perception, the land owners don't see Rally cars out traspassing and causing damage but 4x4s hence the knee jerk reaction against them.

Equally they get a lot of trouble with illegal motocycle use in the area, usually unregistered moto cross bikes. In the past this has led to the cancellation of Enduro events in the area also long established events run by reputable clubs.

Last time I was laning in the area (on two wheels) a friend and I were nearly taken out by a couple of Chavs on moto crossers coming the other way, riding flat out and side by side on a byway near Brandon. Their untaxed transit van was parked further along the lane and several others could be seen on neighbouring (private) fields and there was clear evidence of their tyre tracks going on and off of adjoining footpaths. We just knew that the various walkers out that day would no doubt tar us both with the same brush despite the fact we were on road registered, properly silenced trail bikes.