Andy gets 2025 rally under starters’ orders

Crowds gathered at the Peninsula Hotel to catch the first glimpse of this year’s crews and to cheer on friends and family.

Laying the Guernsey flag on each car before they headed off to L’Eree for the first stage was three-time World Touring Car champion and local racing legend Andy Priaulx.

‘It’s a huge spectacle for the island and it’s great for all the locals here.

‘Some of them are going in to fight to win which is just brilliant,’ he said.

‘The Peninsula Hotel here is so full and this brings in so much revenue to the island.

‘I know the whole of the west coast are sitting in their gardens waiting for these stages. At this time of the year in February, what else is there to do?

‘It’s just great that we’ve been able to have the rally here again. I think it’s brilliant for the island and brilliant for the clubs.’

Mr Priaulx said that he had been invited to take part in the rally previously, but would have a battle on his hands to keep up with Guernsey’s best drivers.

‘Tubs [Paul Trebert] is fighting for a win, Dale [Crowsley] has been up there all along, and I’d love to have a go one day,’ he said.

‘There’s a lot of money spent on these cars and a lot of commitment required to do an event like this. I’m happy to be starting this and I’m really looking forward to watching some of the stages too.’

Little Big Group is sponsoring the rally and visiting competitors are staying at the Peninsula Hotel.

Managing director Charlie Walker said that it had been amazing watching all of the cars arriving over the past few days.

‘It’s filled the Peninsula over this weekend, which otherwise would have been a dead weekend in February, and with the sunshine out today as well it’s like a tropical island rally,’ she said.

‘It’s great to see so many locals out here supporting it as well. I hope everyone gets on board this year and we’ll see it coming back again.’

n This morning will see the St Saviour’s and St Andrew’s stages, and the reservoir and Petit Bot stages are this afternoon.

The presentations will be at the Peninsula Hotel at about 8.30pm.