| An
informal interview with Ian Leggett, organiser of this years
International Rally
| So you
have volunteered to organise the 2007 International Rally?
Yes I have.
That is a big job to take
on isn't it?
Yes but that has always been
the case.
Well why did you pick this
year to do it?
If I really think about it
there are several reasons. The first was that it was overdue
to come to East Anglia. The second was that it was unlikely to
come into this area unless I made the decision to be the
organiser. The third was that I wanted to have finished full
time working before taking on the role, and that I did in
2006.
Why would anyone want to
stick their neck out and make a lot of work for themselves in
organising a rally like the International?
I think in any Club
there are always those who will take on these tasks and the
Standard Motor Club
|
|
| is no different. It is not necessary to
have everyone doing things, what I like to see is people
enjoying themselves. |
Rally
Organiser, Ian Leggett |
I suppose with a tried and tested
formula it makes it easier to plan each year?
It certainly makes the core of the
planning less of a worry. Since setting up a Tasks Action Plan several
years ago, and with the Central Committee taking on most of these
roles it leaves the organiser to coordinate and concentrate on the
venue and the event itself.
What is the advantage of the Tasks
Action Plan?
A lot of things are routine but
extremely important. Like rally plaques, trophies, entry form, rally
programme, car passes, ensuring trophies are returned, winner's
notification, rally control on the day etc. These tasks are all
allocated out to volunteers behind the scenes in advance of the rally.
Well if most of these tasks are
done as a matter of routine what is left to organise?
That's a very good question. And the
answer is, plenty!
Go on then.
Firstly you need to have a basic idea
of what you want to achieve. In my case it was to have a rally, which
involves people more. Then you need other members who will help, and
be equally committed, and I have to say that the team for 2007 have
supported me well, and as each idea is discussed it quickly becomes
implemented.
That enables the two or three ideas
to expand even further, and when you realise that the team are capable
of doing these jobs it opens up the way to more ideas.
With their help we looked at venues
over a wide area before coming up with Denny Abbey. Then we booked
into a car related event at the Abbey to see how the site performed.
We all agreed it was suitable, and
it was different.
I note you emphasised on the word
different!
Yes. I do have a lot of telephone
calls from members and I will usually talk to them on Club matters,
and ask for opinions and suggestions. Inevitably the International
Rally will come up. A recurring theme was that there was not enough
for the family to keep them occupied, especially after the Saturday
road run, and on the Sunday.
So that is where the emphasis will be
to try and make it different.
How do you plan to do that then?
Having taken our grandchildren to
some of the Internationals we have noted the small number of children
coming. This was not always the case. So we have set out to make it a
child friendly venue. The road run is also to a venue that has a great
variety of interests to all the family. In the late afternoon we will
have fish and chips brought onto the site and afterwards a wide range
of desserts. There will be a competition and a raffle with proceeds
going to the Farmland Museum. Following will be a sing song. This
could be an embarrassing time for me as I have a lousy voice but will
be leading the proceedings. We have a specially composed song for the
occasion, and if it raises a few smiles (or hysteric laughter) it will
be a success.
Then onto Sunday. Another
competition, a video film running showing a local Club member rallying
his Standard 10. The Grand Raffle and the biggest first prize yet of a
£150 set of carpets, followed by a drive through presentation
"Tribute to the Vanguard", and the cutting of the Tribute
Cake (with appropriate Stanpart number).
Again this is due to the enthusiasm
of other members taking these jobs on.
This all sounds very ambitious!
I know, and that's not all. We hope
to have the local Radio station visit us, and local press will be
involved. Classic magazines are being distributed free. I almost
forgot that we have a Children's Competition also with prizes, but
every child will get a gift. (This is where grandparents have observed
the look on the face of non winning child)
We will have a video camera filming
the event and we have roving microphones to talk to drivers about
their cars, and the family about other things than cars. These videos
will be available to buy on VHS tape or DVD in August.
Is there anything else that you
would like to say about this rally?
I could say a lot more but I hope
this interview has made up the minds of members to come. We do have a
regular band of members who come every year no matter where, but we
are making a great effort to attract more members with their car, and
their family. Even if your Standard is not on the road, or if it is
too far to bring it, we want to see you there. There will be a few
more welcoming touches which you will see over the weekend, and also a
few surprises.
It will probably be worth
reminding us of the date and venue then!
O.k. Friday June 29th you can arrive.
There will be a short road run in the evening.
Saturday June 30th is the main road
run day, and Sunday July 1st is the static display and "Tribute
to the Vanguard". This is all at Denny Abbey and The Farmland
Museum which is at Waterbeach, just 6 miles from Cambridge on the A10.
Plenty of local hotels and B&B's,
or you can camp on site.
Thank you Ian, if some of these
ideas do encourage more to come then perhaps they will be included in
future International Rallies.
Please make Ian's efforts
worthwhile. You will be sure of a good welcome at the International
Rally. Download an entry form from here
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