Guernsey's first Motor Rally tomorrow

Saturday 24 February 2018

Guernsey first ever motoring rally is taking place tomorrow, across four different island routes.

The rally routes are set in the high parishes of Guernsey through 16 stages of some of the most twisting roads on the island.

With a total of 25 professional rally entrant teams, each a navigator and driver, the event promises to be an exciting one.

After years of preparation, Karl Marshall, President of the Guernsey Kart & Motor Club LBG and organiser, said he was delighted that the Guernsey Rally is finally happening.

"This event has seen hard work and dedication from the Club's committee to get all the approvals and paperwork in place," he said.

"A motor sport event like this is the first of its kind for the Island and huge promotion for motor sport and also for Guernsey tourism, with people coming across to Guernsey to participate and spectate.  The Club has been very lucky to get sponsors on board, with the main sponsor being Resolution-IT.  The general public have been very supportive of this new event and excellent feedback has been received in the build up to this rally, which is fantastic and shows how accommodating Islanders are."

Below: The Rally Stage maps.

The routes above hope to encourage exciting driver skills and fantastic viewing for spectators.  A secure service area is being set up at Specsavers car park which will have qualified marshals on duty to ensure the highest safety precautions are in place, spectator viewing is not recommended here due to the safety restrictions in place - strict spectator viewing spots have been allocated along.

A presentation lunch will follow on Sunday 25 February at the Farmhouse Hotel where everyone involved will be able to reminisce on some spectacular highlights during the rally and present trophies to the winners. 

Peter Jury is entering the rally as a navigator, which he said entailed organising his car and driver to be in the right place at the right time, and make sure it was all in working order. He said the event was special for Guernsey.

"I think the event is special for Guernsey as it offers the motorsport enthusiast something different to other events and should prove very popular. The stages are tight and technical in places and more open in others which should give all the drivers a challenge," he said.

"It also encourages sport tourism with many coming over from Jersey and one from the UK to compete including spectators and support crew."

"The weather forecast looks as though it will be in our favour and hopefully with encouragement and support from everyone we can turn this into an annual event, as our neighbouring Island of Jersey already do," Mr Marshall added.