2011 Robin Hood Forest Stages not going ahead

Club Statement:

Posted: February 9, 2011 12:58 PM

" Lindholme MSC regrets to announce that the Robin Hood Forest Stages Rally will not be promoted in 2011. We regret that our best endeavours to organise a multi-venue forest stages rally have foundered on the high fixed costs of using Forestry Commission tracks. We have urged the MSA and FC to adopt a fee structure which is proportionate to the number of cars competing on a rally.

Without a high profile championship such as (BRC/BHRC or BTRDA) which secures an entry of around 100 cars, the financial losses from a smaller entry cannot be sustained. The RHFSR would probably feature Regional Association championships, plus the Motoscope Northern Historics. Whilst these series would furnish a sound entry in one sense, the “critical mass” to pay for FC charges and other operational costs cannot be assured. Having studied other rallies’ entries carefully during 2009 and 2010, it is clear that participation is still much reduced, and shows little sign of improvement. The recent cancellation of the Premier Rally is a case in point.

We have been working hard to find other stages – indeed we found that the owners of two private woodlands in South Yorkshire were interested in rally use. However, the tracks are too short, and too far away from Sherwood, to make much difference to overall costs.

In the meantime, LMSC will continue to promote the Danum Road Rally (16/17 April 2011) and is seeking to put on a single venue rally on 11 September 2011.

We thank all those who have been in touch recently to enquire about the Robin Hood, and hope that one day we will be able to revive the event. "

Robin Hood Forest Stages