The 2010 Huntsman Endurance Rally
Statement from the organisers:
After lengthy discussions, the Huntsman Organising Team issued the following statement at 1800 hrs on Sunday 16th May 2010.
With regret, the 2010 Huntsman Endurance Rally is cancelled.
The date for discounted entries closed yesterday 15th May. At which time the event had twenty entries. Based on the experience of the Great Busted ( Round 1) and other similar events, the likely increases in entries between now and the closing date could be in the region of 6 -8 and additional entries are likely to be received only very near the closing date. This would only still make the total a maximum of 28 entries.
The supplementary regulations state that the minimum entry for the event to run is 35 cars but even at that number Carlton & District Motor Club would make a financial loss .
The Huntsman Endurance Rally has evolved from a starting point in 2006 to the actual events in 2008 and 2009, at all times taking on comments received and trying to put on a better event than the previous year. During that period Carlton & District Motor Club has subsidised the event in the region of £3000 yet still supporting the work of the air ambulance charities with substantial donations. Before the end of this month, further substantial payments are due (deposits etc) totaling over £1000. The club cannot lose money for a third year.
The team wished to make an announcement as early as possible to allow all those involved (Competitors, Organisers, Officials and Marshals) to make alternative plans.
An announcement regarding 2011 will be made as soon as possible. Entry fees collected so far will be returned.
Supplementary statement from the Huntsman Organising Team issued at 18.00 on Saturday 22nd May 2010.
Since Sunday's statement that the event has been cancelled there have been a number of inaccurate comments made on various forums. The Organising Team felt it necessary to issue this additional statement to give the actual facts and provide further explanation for the cancellation.
Cancellation of the Welsh last year and all its associated comments showed competitors how important it is to enter events early.
Following the Great Busted ( round 1) the Huntsman regs gave a discount of £25 for early entries. The deadline date was deliberately chosen as being four weeks after round one and still six weeks before the event, this would enable any intending competitor time to get their entry in and save money. The Competitor would also receive a full refund if the organising club cancelled the event. The date was also important as further payments and deposits in excess of £1000 would be due. IF the Club had received the same level of entry as the Great Busted at the closing of discounted entries, all would have been fine. However, we were also concerned that the Great Busted received only six further entries after the closing of their discounted entry fee. This would have taken our total to 26 entries, representing a potential loss in excess of £2500.
The dedicated VOLUNTEER organising team have, since last year's event spent time gathering extra test venues and updating the road rally element to include five miles of private quality tracks. Even with all the effort, the team were also well aware of the work still to be done.
The team persisted with the running of the event despite disagreements within the club, lower than average entries and the substantial cost to the club to date of £3000. The team still firmly believes in the principal of the formula for Endurance Road Rallying.
The team took encouragement from the favourable comments since Sunday's announcement but noted the majority were from existing entries, one competitor even starting the 'SAVE THE HUNTSMAN' and ' Don't shoot the Huntsman' forum threads.
Discussions with the ERRC were also initially promising with all previous and current registered contenders being contacted. However, by Tuesday evening these are the facts:
Four additional entry forms received by post but with incorrect forms/no money attached. No emails or other contact was received from any other potential entrant. The organising team felt they had no choice but to reconfirm Sunday's announcement and would ask the reader he following two questions:
1. Given the above facts, would the competitor/marshals/officials have preferred the same inevitable announcement in four weeks time at the final closing date?
2. If your own motor club was organising the event having already lost £3000 in the previous two years, having had fewer entries other rounds and a forecast loss of another £2500 for the 2010 event, what would be your club's decision?