PSM Motorsport Cancel Rallycross Open Championship

[toonlad1978]

PSM Motorsport Cancel Rallycross Open Championship
Press Release date: Monday July 26th 2010

PSM Motorsport Ltd have today reluctantly made the decision to cancel the entire Rallycross Open Championship.

The decision has been made in the best interests of Rallycross in Great Britain. Just 21 entries have been received for the event scheduled for Knockhill and the current active number of Rallycross competitors has now dropped below a level where PSM Motorsport feel that:

a) British Rallycross is no longer big enough to support four Rallycross Championships

b) PSM Motorsport Ltd think that the sport no longer has the infrastructure for one Championship

c) A lot of effort needs to be put into the infrastructure of the sport in Great Britain in order to attract new competitors, particularly on the clubman's side of the sport.

PSM Motorsport Ltd thanks everyone who has supported its efforts and plans to revert to promoting stand alone Rallycross events as per the pre Rallycross Open Championship era.

[mivec]

Is this the start of ONE big rallycross championship in the UK?

[WJM]

Are they stopping forever or just for the year?

[rx-guru]

Back to square one now, British RX!

[Larry Carter]

I personally feel very sad for Peter Stott as the amount of effort and toil that lad has put in over the years is monumental and I dont think people realise this.

OK, he's hacked a few people off along the way and I dare say given his time again, he may have done somethings a little different but whatever he decides in the long term, I wish him all the best with his plans.

Not sure where this leaves British rallycross overall as there's still a void with regards to entries due to the recession but one less series out of the way may start the ball rolling towards fuller grids.

[rs 200]

well take this how you want ,but at this time it can only be the best thing for the sport ,there is just not enough to go round ,we need full grids so breaking the pack up is not right ,
full grids ,means good racing =more tv=more spectators =better for all
now msa its down to you to get this back to where it should be ,
,i still think we need manufactures in on this to get the money coming in and giving drivers new cars to use

[chunder]

Well sad to hear but it seems the economy has made some people see sense.

What is needed now is absolutely no crowing about how one is betetr than the other and no going on abotu victiry bfor one series verses another.

What is needed now is vision! Pure and simple. Because as it stands the sport is suffering. Economy wise although I dont like budget classes they are pure common sense now. There will always be people spedning money but a budget 4wd class simply has to be a way forward. Dont worry about policing it yet just set up some basic rules and see.

And perhaps something based around a simple yet tunable rwd class, rally tyres (not stock hatch slicks almost, perhaps remoulds?) rwd, a few tuning areas to keep interest.

Split modifed into a Formula B and C again to encourage people to step up gradually?

Junior rallycross maybe being used as a senoir thing too, car share with kids? They do it in autograss, you can use a Class 1 during a meeting for Class 1, Class 1 Ladies and Juniors.

[schanche]

What Peter has done over this past few years has been Incredible from when I first met him in Belguim with his scary idea of getting European rallycross back on these shore's to getting the Grand Prix back up and running and starting a whole new series.. Not everything ran smooth yes he upset the old guard with his ideas but if it wasn't for his desiree to get it all up an running Rallycross could well off still been in the duldrums maybe his ideas and competition against the regular series was a kick up the arse they needed! a shame its ended but now the BRC can look to grow and promote it self even better in these difficult times..
One Positive maybe to come out of this A.D and G.M at the rounds commentating

[MESHGA]

Some of your posts sounds like Peter has died!!
Personally i think everybody involved in british rallycross should congratulate him on getting others off their fat arses and getting their act together all be it 5 years to dawn on them.
Well done Pete you should be proud

[Citroen Manic]

Originally Posted by schanche

What Peter has done over this past few years has been Incredible from when I first met him in Belguim with his scary idea of getting European rallycross back on these shore's to getting the Grand Prix back up and running and starting a whole new series.. Not everything ran smooth yes he upset the old guard with his ideas but if it wasn't for his desiree to get it all up an running Rallycross could well off still been in the duldrums maybe his ideas and competition against the regular series was a kick up the arse they needed! a shame its ended.

What Peter did was incredible but despite the hostile retaliation of the old guard, and perhaps, certain officials of the MSA being less than helpfull,all i can say is LOOK FORWARD TO THE SUPAPRIX and all that follows, and to all who decided not to support Peter shame on you!!.

[Barrie]

Originally Posted by schanche

What Peter has done over this past few years has been Incredible from when I first met him in Belguim with his scary idea of getting European rallycross back on these shore's to getting the Grand Prix back up and running and starting a whole new series.. Not everything ran smooth yes he upset the old guard with his ideas but if it wasn't for his desiree to get it all up an running Rallycross could well off still been in the duldrums maybe his ideas and competition against the regular series was a kick up the arse they needed! a shame its ended but now the BRC can look to grow and promote it self even better in these difficult times..
One Positive maybe to come out of this A.D and G.M at the rounds commentating

Back up what Tony said, a few of you will remember Peter S from the early days on ten tenths when only a handful of rallycross fans used to discuss matters on here. I got to no Peter pretty well back then and got to here all his plans first hand a few years before they happened. For such a young guy it was amazing to see what he achieved, I certainly think if it wasn't for him we may not necessarily have European rallycross on these shores now.

Plusses for me, The early Superprix's where he managed to get king kenny and a few others over here including the Supernationals, that gave people a taste of European style rallycross we hadn't seen for a good few years and basically got things rolling.

The sponsors he managed to attract.

Think he got Steve Hill interested in rallycross among many others.

The Docklands event was not totally successful but what balls to give it a go.

I've met Peter at events many times over the years and there's one thing that can't be questioned is that he's a huge and very knowledgeable rallycross fan.

Hopefully he will still have the desire to arrange one off events, but please no more Championships.


Div 1, Div 1a, div 2, Supernational is the only way to go. (BRxC)

[Citroen Manic]

Originally Posted by rx-guru

Back to square one now, British RX!

Perhaps British Rallycross is now not even at square one anymore, The old guard perhaps have won the battle but maybe this should not be war, perhaps there may be some way forward?.

[Citroen Manic]

Originally Posted by Barrie

Back up what Tony said, a few of you will remember Peter S from the early days on ten tenths when only a handful of rallycross fans used to discuss matters on here. I got to no Peter pretty well back then and got to here all his plans first hand a few years before they happened. For such a young guy it was amazing to see what he achieved, I certainly think if it wasn't for him we may not necessarily have European rallycross on these shores now.

I've met Peter at events many times over the years and there's one thing that can't be questioned is that he's a huge and very knowledgeable rallycross fan.

Hopefully he will still have the desire to arrange one off events, but please no more Championships.


Div 1, Div 1a, div 2, Supernational is the only way to go. (BRxC)

This is what he lives and breathes. But the old guard want it their way and money talks ie :- if my stick is bigger than your stick, mine will break yours.

[AndyS]

Great shame that all his effort has lead to this, as others have said I think that rallycross in the Uk is better for it. He gave everybody the kick up the arse they needed. I only got back into Rallycross because of the Open and the Superprix so I'm sad to see it go. Having said that it was dwindling, the money being spent elsewhere was making it difficult, they had diluted the class structure too much and there just wasn't the track availability. I'm interested to see how the one off events work, what else they might come up with and if the old guard will support these events. Good luck to them and I hope the BRC take things forward now and don't just carry on as you were.

[chasing cars]

Lets us also not forget Peter was also responsible for giving us mere spectators the chance to see the awesome scandonavian supernationals.The sight of those volvos at Croft was one of the highlights of the last few years.

Where the open often let itself down was in over hypeing average events, too many cancelled meetings (who remembers Austria & Sweden & also 1 of the early grand/super prix)and certainly in the early years rather too many non starters. Surprisingly their PR was not always as it should have been particually on here (GM certainly made it better) and alienating some of the more influential drivers ,like them or not, was always going to make things difficult fot themselves.

Citreon Manic your devotion to Peter is to be commended, probably only equaled by Smithers to Mr Burns in the Simpsons but wait until you know theres going to be a good entry before hypeing it as alot of your old posts now make you look a little silly. I really hope the Superprix is a success, and becomes the season Finale it once was at Croft.

[AndyS]

As you say the Super Nationals at Croft were the highlight of the Superprix for me. The ROC has suffered from a lot of bad luck in the last couple of years, losing the MDA, not being able to use Lydden, loss of Croft, track issues elsewhere, rotton weather at last years Superprix, the cancellation of the ferry service from Oslo to Newcastle in August '08 which killed the Scandinavian interest in the Superprix and then the economic down turn. All that coupled with the money being thrown at the BRC finished it off really. Oh well onwards and upwards and here's hoping for a successful well attended Superprix and rallycross back at Croft

[USRallycross]

Firstly, I am sorry to see all of Peter's efforts finally come to nought. No-one can say he didn't try.

Now, however, there is an opportunity for Amy and LHMC to grab the bull by the horns and build an incredibly successful championship. Firstly, Peter brought in budget 4wd and a modified class structure (Revivals) that made people bring out cars (think of the Mini's) that have been in garages for years. He has also enabled more budget sport and as someone who started in Minicross and graduated through the ranks I strongly believe that a budget class is essential.

I think Amy is a great person and LHMC have done a tremendous job building the high-profile side of the series and the show that goes along with that. Now if they can incorporate the Open philosophy to Clubman then the British scene will boom.

Thank you Peter for all your efforts and I know you won't be away long. Perhaps you should talk to JB and come over here!

Mark
www.williamsrallyracing.com

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Barrie

Back up what Tony said, a few of you will remember Peter S from the early days on ten tenths when only a handful of rallycross fans used to discuss matters on here. I got to no Peter pretty well back then and got to here all his plans first hand a few years before they happened. For such a young guy it was amazing to see what he achieved, I certainly think if it wasn't for him we may not necessarily have European rallycross on these shores now.

Plusses for me, The early Superprix's where he managed to get king kenny and a few others over here including the Supernationals, that gave people a taste of European style rallycross we hadn't seen for a good few years and basically got things rolling.

The sponsors he managed to attract.

Think he got Steve Hill interested in rallycross among many others.

The Docklands event was not totally successful but what balls to give it a go.

I've met Peter at events many times over the years and there's one thing that can't be questioned is that he's a huge and very knowledgeable rallycross fan.

Hopefully he will still have the desire to arrange one off events, but please no more Championships.


Div 1, Div 1a, div 2, Supernational is the only way to go. (BRxC)

The Rallycross Superprix is the event that got me interested in rallycross once gain.

I realise costs are an issue but I believe ERC regs are the way to go long term if British rallycross is to move forward.

[rx-guru]

Originally Posted by JAG

I realise costs are an issue but I believe ERC regs are the way to go long term if British rallycross is to move forward.

ERC regs for all European countries would solve most problems. Anyone to go anywhere under the same preconditions.

[chunder]

I believe that the issue in most countries is money. Scandinavia Div1A and Div are very poorly supported, but they have folk and Supernational which are booming.

If you look at it in the UK we had a period from the late 70's of huge growth in rallycross. There was a surplus of competive up to 1600cc cars like Fiestas and Minis and a huge amount of ex rally Escorts and things like Chevettes in 1.6 +over. Then fwd took over so Fiestas and the like came into the 2.0 litre class and finally the class was pretty much overpowered by two rather OTT cars. Newboulds Renault and Bardy's Astra. Both very expensive to replicate and hugely developed. Hence class dead. Fb at least, but C could have kept going if things were done to stop the Haffey/Richardson SuperNova's.

There was little need for a starter class. Minicross did a superb job, but SPC rallycross was thinly supported. What did work well was the Colkway tyres thing, bringing in people like Richard Watts, Martin Tinker and many others.

If you slap in ERC regs right now you are looking at 50 grand plus for a decent Div1A car. or perhaps 30 for somehting home brewed.

And Div 2 are all stupidly thought out specials that can't be bought off the shelf (yet) unless you go to Gunnarsson and throw a wedge at him. In time they will filter down yes and we have to be patient for a few years but right now the grids are not full in any way.

1A will work as the class is being phased out of rallying.

And you will never stop guys like Isachsen spending millions on Div1, but that is fine I guess, you cant really do Div1 in Europe on a budget. But I do believe there is scope for a budget 4wd class in the UK, like Colway tyres perhaps?

[Hickey]

Isn't the same thing as you described above always going to happen. Stock hatch used to have really evenly matched cars, then along came Adrian Horsley, forced Julian and Tony to spend loads and hey presto, two-tier racing. The same in Supermods with Bellerby and Bird and the same will happen again no matter what you do, ERC regs or not. Production 4wd will go the same, "all equal but some are more equal than others", better suspension etc. UNLESS, you make the the regs so tight that they all cars will be virtually the same spec. Wait a second, haven't they done that, isn't the what the Swifts are? But no-one likes one-make series, or stiff regulations, as poeple like to develop their own ideas.

BTRDA stock hatch is the still a relatively inexpensive series (though something needs to be done about the 16V cars, heavier weight maybe). You can still have a pretty competitive car, as Darren Clarke has stated above, for a few grand.

[StockHatch782]

Originally Posted by chunder

I believe that the issue in most countries is money. Scandinavia Div1A and Div are very poorly supported, but they have folk and Supernational which are booming.

If you look at it in the UK we had a period from the late 70's of huge growth in rallycross. There was a surplus of competive up to 1600cc cars like Fiestas and Minis and a huge amount of ex rally Escorts and things like Chevettes in 1.6 +over. Then fwd took over so Fiestas and the like came into the 2.0 litre class and finally the class was pretty much overpowered by two rather OTT cars. Newboulds Renault and Bardy's Astra. Both very expensive to replicate and hugely developed. Hence class dead. Fb at least, but C could have kept going if things were done to stop the Haffey/Richardson SuperNova's.

There was little need for a starter class. Minicross did a superb job, but SPC rallycross was thinly supported. What did work well was the Colkway tyres thing, bringing in people like Richard Watts, Martin Tinker and many others.

If you slap in ERC regs right now you are looking at 50 grand plus for a decent Div1A car. or perhaps 30 for somehting home brewed.

And Div 2 are all stupidly thought out specials that can't be bought off the shelf (yet) unless you go to Gunnarsson and throw a wedge at him. In time they will filter down yes and we have to be patient for a few years but right now the grids are not full in any way.

1A will work as the class is being phased out of rallying.

And you will never stop guys like Isachsen spending millions on Div1, but that is fine I guess, you cant really do Div1 in Europe on a budget. But I do believe there is scope for a budget 4wd class in the UK, like Colway tyres perhaps?

I think I might need to sit down, Chunder: I agree with pretty much everything you've said here except the need for a starter class.

It's not unknown for stock hatches to make up a significant proportion of the entry lists and the only people I know of on this forum, for instance, who would be able to carry on under ERC regs would be Mad Mark, Hal Ridge and Kev McCann (and I think Kev might have to alter his car to conform to the regs, if it could). You would lose: Johnny Bean, Adam Clark, Darren Clark, Ric Horton, Leigh Hickey, me and several others from the forum alone, basically none of whom would be in a position to build a car to ERC regs. It's a lovely idea but now surely isn't the time for that.

Er, back on topic: really sorry to see Peter's efforts come to this, but I think his realistic press release is correct in that the economy can't currently support two championships. I look forward to the Superprix and hope he can bring the supernationals to Knockhill, if only to see them all come into that bonkers first corner together. Superb; the best thing to happen to British rallycross in years, I think. Now that class I would support for our championship!

[westfieldbend]

Originally Posted by StockHatch782

It's not unknown for stock hatches to make up a significant proportion of the entry lists

I remember 50+ car stockhatch entry's and F finals, 20 cars in minicross too. Was excellent as a spectator, I have always found that a series which solely relys on being spectacular - BRxC supercars (Note: its not BRC, thats british rally championship ), truck racing and DTM fit into this catagory, tend to be great to watch once but really becomes rather dull after time. What I want as a spectator is consistent good races with a decent amount of cars in, not 3 or 5 but 10 or 12!! Now rallycross is just about of zero interest to me whatsoever, sadly.

Open series looked great last year, but sadly didn't go anywhere within economical reach of me.

[JAG]

1A will work as the class is being phased out of rallying.

Do you think 1A will continue in rallycross form with cars based around the various high-tech one make cars like the new Citroen DS3 R3 or become like D1 were (as I understand it) cars are built around similar components but with unique shells and engines.

[Darren Wilcox]

Originally Posted by Hickey

Isn't the same thing as you described above always going to happen. Stock hatch used to have really evenly matched cars, then along came Adrian Horsley, forced Julian and Tony to spend loads and hey presto, two-tier racing.

Adrian was there first i think you'll find, he did'nt spend a fortune he was a quicker driver than anyone else at the time, i know i've sat with him on more than one occasion. we beat all the motoring news tarmac regulars in a F2 escort against all the latest cossies and 6R4's at the time his first time ever in the car. A lot of his car was built using knowledge gained from my british championship winning Div 5 car Stockhatch of the day. The same car that used to get stripped after every event due to certain wealthy competitors that spent a fortune at the time that did'nt like the fact that i was winning legally when the cheaters could'nt keep up

When will people in motorsport realise no matter how much money you have you car'nt always win on budget alone, it does help BUT if your cheating and you know you are don't always assume that the ones in front are cheating more maybe it's your just not as good as you think you are !!!

I don't see this as a 2 tier thing other than there maybe 2 standards of drivers, those that can and those that never will