Launching today, the new Nicky Grist Stages website completes the transformation of the long-established and highly-acclaimed Quinton Stages Rally into one whose new title reflects the ever-increasing commitment and involvement in its organisation by the famous former WRC star.

Building on its years of experience in running a challenging but friendly rally using some of the best stages in the world, the Quinton Organising Team is carrying forward all the positives - that once again earned the event the BTRDA’s coveted title for Best Rally in 2010 – whilst moving forward with new ideas and improvements suggested by Nicky that have been gleaned from his vast experience on events across the globe.

“The event is highly-respected for its standards both in organisation and the stunning stages that it offers to its entrants,” explained Grist. “The Organising Team and I are committed now to just making the competitors’ experience even better and better through some totally fresh thinking.”

Last year’s event saw a move for the event HQ to the spacious Royal Welsh Showground at Builth Wells and, that having proved a considerable success, the 2012 rally returns there on July 14th. With Nicky’s vast experience and intimate knowledge of the possibilities on and around the infamous Epynt Ranges, he and Clerk of the Course Neil Cross have made some significant changes to the legendary WRGB stages that they think will only enhance the enthusiasm that competitors have shown in past years.

Meanwhile, they have managed to plan a package unique to the REIS – Get Connected BTRDA Rally Series of 44 stage miles – and only 41 road miles, which should make the competitors’ smiles even broader! “The Nicky Grist Stages is going to be all about the competitors’ experience”, explained Neil Cross, “and what makes a top-class event in their eyes is the action on the stages themselves, not trundling around long road sections.”

Added to this, the route allows crews the option to service after every stage to ensure that they and their cars are in the best possible condition to tackle each of the smooth, flowing stages. “Competitors don’t want to have to start stages with a lingering problem that limits their performance – and their enjoyment,” commented Cross, “and so we have created this possibility to ensure that their delight and satisfaction is kept at a high level for the whole event. Again, it’s all about the competitors’ experience.”

Joining up with Nicky Grist and his NG Motorsport team to support the event are a number of his friends and connections, notably Skoda for whom he co-drove most recently in the WRC. As official vehicle supplier to the Nicky Grist Stages, the all-conquering IRC manufacturer is keen to show its support for the top-flight of clubmen’s rallying in the UK in as many ways as budgets permit.

More of Nicky’s friends are preparing to join him for the now well-established pre-event briefing and forum on the evening before the event. This started out as an update by Nicky on the stages themselves, after he had viewed them earlier in the day and has developed into a must for all competitors who want to give themselves the best chance the next day – as well as enjoying an entertaining evening of “Rally Talk”.

The new event website as at: http://www.nickygriststages.co.uk and this will constantly be updated with all the latest in the build-up to the event on July 14th.

Peter C Fieldhouse
Media Officer – Nicky Grist Stages 2012

Can you post the link to the regs as I can't see that on the website, I can see how to enter but not how to download the regs.

Thanks

Even before the regulations were published and entries opened for the Nicky Grist Stages on July 14th, interest in competing on the event was coming in thick and fast – and from all parts of the world, including one from Australia!

With Nicky’s name being so widely recognised by rally fans across the globe and modern trans-continental communication now being so easy, it is perhaps unsurprising that competitors from far and wide are hearing of the event and are keen to be involved in the highly-acclaimed and long-established rally, this year for the first time sporting the name of one of the world’s most famous rallymen.

With entries being at a premium on a number of events so far this year in the REIS – Get Connected BTRDA Rally Series, the Quinton MC Organising Team of the much-acclaimed Builth Wells-based event are expecting the enormous initial interest to turn into a flood of entries and are encouraging potential competitors to get their entries in as soon as possible, utilising the on-line entry system and split-payment option offered to spread the costs for competitors.

“We have established a reputation for running a first-class rally on what some regard as the best gravel stages in the world on and around the Epynt Ranges,” explained Clerk of the Course, Neil Cross. “With the change of the event title to include the name of one of the living legends of world rallying, it is to be expected that the interest in the rally from far and wide is going to be even greater than ever. We look forward to welcoming both previous competitors and new entrants to what we plan to be an even better event than those that have won us the prestigious BTRDA Rally of the Year award in previous years.”

Nicky himself is bubbling with enthusiasm about his ‘new baby’. “I am delighted with the way that the Quinton Organising Team has responded to my suggestions as to how we can improve the event even further”, reported Grist. “And with support from Skoda – my former WRC team – and other friends in the sport, the rally looks certain to establish itself as a ‘must-do’ event in the British rally calendar. This year’s TV coverage of the REIS – Get Connected BTRDA Rally Series has just added to the buzz about the championship and the event itself.”

Regulations and further details of the event are now available on its website: http://www.nickygriststages.co.uk or from Entries Secretary Nick Jones via email: entries@nickygriststages.co.uk or by phone on 07836 249930.

Peter C Fieldhouse
Media Officer - Nicky Grist Stages 2012

NICKY GRIST EXTENDING WARM WELCOME TO HISTORICS

The Quinton MC Organising Team of the Nicky Grist Stages (formerly the Quinton Stages Rally) is preparing a particularly warm welcome for competitors in the Historics’ classes on the July 14th event, based at Builth Wells.

Retaining sponsorship again this year from Clarion Events – the organiser of the NEC’s annual Classic Motor Show - , the Quinton Team has been delighted to see the rise in popularity of the Historic classes on this year’s REIS – Get Connected BTRDA Rally Series and is preparing a warm welcome for both previous and new competitors on this classic event that utilises the famous WRGB gravel stages on and around the legendary Epynt Ranges. The fastest Historics’ crew overall will again receive the splendid Clarion Events’ Trophy – and an invitation to display their car at the NEC’s Classic Motor Show in November.

The Quinton Team has always warmly welcomed Historics’ entries on their event and their commitment, that was recognised and rewarded by Clarion Events, has simply increased their enthusiasm. Now that the BTRDA has introduced 3 classes into the DMack Tyres BTRDA Historic Cup to help the series to develop further, the burgeoning number of entries – with interesting, quality vehicles and crews – has been impressive.

Even before the Regs were published and entries open for the Nicky Grist Stages, interest in competing on the event was coming in thick and fast from crews with historic and more modern cars – and from all parts of the world! With Nicky’s name being widely recognised by rally fans across the globe and modern trans-continental communication now being so easy, it is perhaps not surprising that competitors from far and wide are hearing of the event and are keen to be involved in the highly-acclaimed and long-established rally, this year for the first time sporting the name of one of the world’s most famous rallymen.

Regs are available on the event website – nickygriststages.co.uk or from Entries Secretary Nick Jones via email: entries@nickygriststages.co.uk or by phone on 07836 249930.

Peter C Fieldhouse
Media Officer – Nicky Grist Stages