Robin Hood Stages Rally - CANCELLED

Cancellation of 2009 Rally

Posted: February 25, 2009 5:51 PM

It is with great regret that Lindholme Motor Sports Club announces the cancellation of the Robin Hood Forest Stages Rally, scheduled for 14/15 March 2009.

Entries received so far have been too few to justify continuing with our strenuous efforts to run the event. Although the closing date for entries is still a few days away, there is insufficient momentum to indicate that a workable basis would be reached. We were prepared to run the event at a significant loss, but that standpoint was budgeted around a minimum entry of 80 as stated in the Supplementary Regulations.

Sadly, it is necessary to cancel to avoid unmanageable losses resulting from either running with a small field, or a late cancellation when expenditure such as printing has been committed. The mileage charges payable to the Forestry Commission are fixed, regardless of entry levels. It’s a business decision – rallies cannot run on optimism alone.

Clearly, the recession is hitting competitors hard, and advance planning to contest rallies and championships is difficult. However, last minute decisions to enter do not allow organisers to take the organisational steps to secure their events.

We thank the crews who did put their entries in, and all those who have supported the event by entering in previous years. Full refunds of 2009 entry fees will be made.

The RHFSR team has been very active in promoting the event in its revised format. This offered both night and daylight stages to Modern as well as Historic competitors – a rarity in forest rallying. The various championship co-ordinators have also done their best to assist us in getting entries, and probably share our sense of frustration.

Our sponsors: Copcutt Toyota, The Alternative Sign Centre, and Methos Consulting, share our disappointment. The organisers are most grateful for their support in very challenging business circumstances. We also wish to thank all our officials and service providers from outside the club – scrutineers, stewards, stage commanders, communications and results teams, venue providers and advertisers.

Let’s hope that economic conditions will improve next year.

We intend to be back!

Event Website:

Posted: February 25, 2009 5:50 PM

Robin Hood Forest Stages