| Fred Gallagher: Enjoy the spectacle... |
| Wednesday, 26 November 2008 07:27 |
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In August 2008, Fred Gallagher, visited the Northern Forest Baja headquarters in Saint Petersburg. This man needs no introduction : top British rally co-driver, with numerous rally and cross-country wins (5 wins in WRC, 7 cross-country wins and 1997 FIA World Cup), 6 times Dakar participant, Fred is now one of the recognized motorsport organisers and consultants.
A current member of the FIA Cross Country Commission, FIA official at the world level events since 2004, clerk of the course and consultant to multiple races during the last decade, Fred can share invaluable expertise in motorsport events management. The aim of his visit to Russia was to cooperate with us, the organizers of the 2009 Northern Forest Baja, the new event of the FIA International Cup for Bajas, to help run the Baja at the world level. During his stay Fred got acquainted with the Northern Forest concept and infrastructure.
We asked Fred several questions...
- We know this is not your first time in Russia. Could you tell us about your FIRST impressions of our country?
I found St Petersburg to be a stunningly beautiful city and everyone was incredibly welcoming. I was also very impressed with the Igora resort and think it will make an ideal rally base.
- What must the Organizers do to ensure that the event is held at a high level? What is essential? Which points should they pay more attention to? What are the common mistakes of the organizers of new events?
The organizers appear to already be very experienced and I am sure they will do a good job. The biggest thing to remember is that this is now an International event and world class standards will be expected. I have full confidence that this will be achieved through hard work.
- Do you think that regular participants of the FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas might be scared off by the new event, in a new country, on snow and ice covered ground which must be strange for many of them, and moreover with studded tyres? Will many decide to go? Presently the cars of most participants in the Cup are not equipped for low temperatures…
Of course the Northern Forest Baja will be a great challenge for the foreign competitors but it is one I am sure they will enjoy. The organizers will specify a standard tyre and I expect the competitors to enjoy the snow and ice as much as they do sand and gravel.
- In your opinion, who has more chance to win this race: a factory team with longer competition history and powerful reliable cars, or a Russian crew with somewhat less “mileage” and less powerful cars but more experienced in driving on snow and ice?
Never underestimate factory teams and professional drivers! I think the competition will be fierce but the Russian drivers will have to be at their peak to defeat the foreign stars of Cross Country rallying.
- Your motorsport career is connected both to conventional rallies and cross-country rallies. Does your rally experience (knowledge of rally pacenotes, rally driving style) help you in such a sprint races as cross-country Baja?
I think it does. I believe especially that competitors from the Scandinavian countries with no experience of Cross Country could make a big impression in the Northern Forest.
- In recent years, Russia began to host more and more celebrated competitions. The round of the 2009 FIA International Cup for Cross-Country Bajas will be conducted here in late winter 2009. The candidate WRC rally is to take place in Novorossiysk soon. Powerboat Class 1 Grand Prix has been held in Moscow this summer. Can we conclude that Russia is now perceived as more open, 'understandable', and friendly towards the rest of motorsport world?
Absolutely. And as these events become more successful competitors from Russia will make themselves more and more well known on the world circuit.
What else would you like to say to Russian competitors and spectators now?
Enjoy the spectacle of the first snow and ice Baja and let’s all work together for its success.
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