RallyBuzz Q&A with Pirelli World Rallying’s Martin Holmes
In a new feature for RallyBuzz.com, we will be taking a look at the people behind the scenes in Rallying.
In the first interview we talk to Martin Holmes who is the publisher of the Pirelli World Rallying annual and the rally editor for GPWeek.com.
The 31st edition the Pirelli World Rallying annual offers all the information and statistics that any rally fan could want and need and will be published in December.
RallyBuzz began by asking Martin about his personal highlights of the last 30 editions and the changes he has seen in the sport?
MH:
I really cannot think of any low periods, except for sad moments when we have lost friends we worked with or drivers we admired, so otherwise everything must have been a high! In a technical sense things go in cycles.
Almost every year something new is exciting. The Group B days were the most absorbing, but the sport was also at its most frightening.
I used to be a co-driver in earlier times and would not have missed that experience for anything in the world. It took you to new places, gave you new interests, introduced you to people you would never otherwise have had a chance to know.
And when I started to concentrate on rally reporting, having competed gave an extra dimension in understanding what it is all about. The thing about rally sport is that there is always something going on that is unexpected and fun. The warning sign is when you think it is a ‘quiet day'. That usually means you haven't noticed what is happening!
RallyBuzz:- The next few years in the WRC will see tremendous change for everyone
involved from spectators though to drivers. What would you like to see, if anything changed in the sport?
MH:
The most important thing about rallying is that it must always keep changing with the times. Change must never stop. The changes being planned at the moment are not unusually dramatic.
By and large I think the FIA does a splendid job in keeping an eye on the changing world, and all these new initiatives, like ecologically friendly fuels and limits on tyres, are vital for the continued viability of the sport.
Things like the new Group R are critical if the use of modified cars in rally sport is to have a meaning in today's automobile technology. The search for the new World Rally Car specification is no different. They are looking for the formula which most suits the 21st century.
What has gone wrong is the way that the FIA has allowed situations to develop for political reasons without considering how their decisions affect the people in the sport. The 16 round calendar was an example. The rotation system is necessary because the FIA over-encouraged countries to hold world championship events. Sporting and technical decisions are made, for example, with no reference to how this would affect the media.
The need for a Promoter for the World Championship should never have been necessary, had the FIA used wider vision in their earlier decision making and not let confidence in the sport diminish. Unfortunately we need a Promoter to be able to tell the FIA what is sensible and what is not.
RallyBuzz:- In the 30th edition of Pirelli World Rallying you covered 13 different championships containing all the information and pictures of cars, drivers and teams that anyone could ever want. How long does it take to compile all this information and how many people are involved?
MH:
The PWR project takes 12 months each year, pretty much seven days a week. As well as the faithful people working at base, we have contributors who supply us with information in around 40-50 different countries. They actively help us find out what is going on, without whom we could achieve very little.
RallyBuzz:- What can we expect from the 31st Edition?
MH:
Full coverage of World Championship rallying and all the usual information. Confirmed features this year include a run-down on everything to do with the Pirelli Star Drivers, features about Rauno Aaltonen who was 70 years old this year, an explanation about how privateers go rallying with World Rally Cars and the story of Super 2000.
There will be a major operation to distribute the books as soon as they are released.
Because of the change of date for Wales Rally GB, publication is scheduled for the week of 15 December and people in the UK should be able to receive copies in time for Christmas by placing orders direct with our distributors Vine House Tel: 01825 767396.
Delivery by normal post is included but if any special service is required these are payable by the customer. Hard back ISBN: 978-0-954-543-358 - Price £24.95
RallyBuzz:- And finally what is your tip for the 2008 Manufacturers' and Drivers' championships?
MH:
Pretty obvious, isn't it?!
Many thanks to Martin for the interview and look out for more Q&A's from the world of Rallying!
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