Rally organisers hope for biggest one yet
About 5,000 spectators are expected to catch a glimpse of the Guernsey Rally over the course of today and tomorrow.
Guernsey Rally committee chairman Karl Marshall was hopeful that the event would be a success, with teams from the UK and Jersey travelling to compete alongside the Guernsey contingent.
‘We’ve got 13 or 14 teams from Jersey coming over and one from the UK, all with crews of between six and 10 people,’ he said.
‘Some teams even have as many as 15. It’s the most we’ve ever had come over.’
Mr Marshall added that the crowd number was weather-dependent, but was optimistic that people would come out due to the dry, albeit cold, weather forecasted.
‘I’ve had a 94-year-old man get in touch with me to ask if he can know the times of when one of the stages goes past his house so he can dress up warm and go out to watch it,’ he said.
Mr Marshall added that he expected some of those living on the routes of the stages to build homemade grandstands and get their barbecues out in order to create a party atmosphere.
The event has come in for criticism from some residents, with the danger posed to pets and the level of noise two of the main concerns directed at Mr Marshall.
‘As an animal owner myself, I understand people’s worries. We have contacted everyone we can to pre-warn and let them know. It’s down to the owners to be responsible with their pets for two days. Nine times out of 10 any animals will flee before the situation becomes dangerous, he said.
Mr Marshall added that people could still contact the GRC if they had wanted to raise any further queries.
Today there will be routes in Torteval near Portelet and in St Saviour’s, with roads shut from 4pm to 9.30pm in Torteval and 4.30pm to 9.30pm in St Saviour’s.
Tomorrow there are routes around Fairfield and Grantez Mill in the morning and Felconte and Prevote in the afternoon.
Details of the rally can be viewed at https://www.guernseyrally.co.uk/
