BAJA GB 2008, September 25th-28th, 2008
Great Britain’s fifth round of the 2008 FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas
For immediate release
Tuesday, January 8th, 2008
BAJA GB 2008 ORGANISERS ANNOUNCE NEW
RALLY BASE AND FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES
New Aberystwyth base for Britain’s only FIA international off-road event
Centralised servicing and new route format for mid-Wales stage bonanza
NEWTOWN (Wales): Marches 4×4 Motorsport Management Limited announce this week at the Autosport International Show at the National Exhibition Centre, that Baja GB 2008, round five of the 2008 FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, will be based in the mid-Wales coastal town of Aberystwyth for the first time and will take place at the later date of September 25th-28th, 2008.
The route and format of Britain’s premier off-road event has been revised to offer a greater degree of efficiency and communication for officials, media and competitors. Baja GB takes place in Wales with the support of the Welsh Assembly Motorsport Initiative, the Forestry Commission Wales and the Motor Sports Association (MSA) and joined the FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas for the first time in August 2007 after running as a candidate in August 2006.
To avoid a clash with other events in mid-Wales, Baja GB slots into the revised September date and the headquarters moves from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s Showground in Builth Wells to a top class facility adjacent to and including the Park Lodge Hotel in Aberystywyth.
Baja officials are also working to expand the stage mileage for 2008 and are looking at new forestry venues in mid-Wales, with the super special stage set to move from Radnor to another challenging section of forest nearer to Aberystwyth.
Centralised servicing for Baja GB 2007 and the bulk of the action was centralised at the Sweet Lamb Rally Complex, near Llangurig, but event officials have confirmed that servicing will move to Aberystwyth where teams, officials and media can benefit from better cellular ‘phone service and the close proximity of accommodation and services. The central location, within walking distance of rally headquarters and the media centre, will also be closer to the town’s parking facilities and be better suited for spectator access.
Exact details of the route and event timetable will be announced at a later date, but Baja officials have confirmed that the ceremonial start will take place in Aberystwyth on Friday, September 26th and this will be followed by the new 10km super special stage.
Leg two will consist of up to four selective sections in the mid-Wales forests on Saturday, September 27th and the event draws to a conclusion on Sunday, September 28th with the third and final leg, again consisting of up to four selective sections, and the ceremonial finish in Aberystwyth.
Cars complying with FIA T1 and T2 regulations will be permitted to enter, as was the case in 2006 and 2007, and there will be a National ‘A’ category for non-homologated cars and a Baja GB for motorcycles and quads running under the auspices of the Auto Cycle Union (ACU).
“We have taken on board what we have learned from competitors, officials and the media over the last two years and will introduce several improvements and changes to the format of Baja GB in 2008,” said Chris Tomley, Event Founder and Chairman of the Organising Committee. “We are very excited by the enthusiasm shown by people in Aberystwyth, who are keen to host this event for the first time, and we are confident that we will have some excellent new forestry to give our competitors a challenging route.
“There will be much better ‘phone service available on much of the route we have chosen this year, without sacrificing our compact format. We are currently working on event regulations and these will be finalised in the next couple of weeks, so that will give everyone involved in Baja GB plenty of time to prepare fully for the event this year.”
For further details about the event in general, contact Andy Flynn (E-mail: af@tomleys.co.uk) or Wendy Tomley (E-mail: wt@tomleys.co.uk) on + 44 1686 626641 and for sponsorship and marketing opportunities, please contact Angela Perkins (E-mail: holly-house@tiscali.co.uk) or mobile: + 44 7988 884195.
For further media information:
Neil Perkins, Baja GB 2008 Press Officer, NDP Publicity Services, NCH Building, Upper Bar, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 7EH, United Kingdom, Mobile: + 44 7831 123153, E-mail: ndppublicity@compuserve.com. www.ndp-publicity.com (press releases).
www.BajaWales.com