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Let me begin with two key things: Firstly, a big thank you to all officials - by all measures, the rally was exceptionally well received, and this is due in no small way to your efforts - so thank you all very much Secondly, the event is on again next year, with Toyota as sponsor and similar timing, and so we will be looking to all of you again. What would be really great is if everyone could retain current roles to provide continuity - and all of the stage commanders have already indicated that they will go on again, which is terrific Again, I believe that we all have achieved a high degree of success, and that we have together run an event that is widely acknowledged as the best in the championship - And:- it is pleasing to note that 19 out of the 20 stages ran exactly to schedule, which is a result unheard of in the GARC WEB SITEThe web site continued to be vital in getting relevant information to allThe following statistics gleaned from the log files tell the story:- Analysed requests from Wed-25-May-2005 01:45 to Thu-11-Aug-2005 05:22 (78.15 days). Figures in parentheses refer to the 7-day period ending 11-Aug-2005 15:52. Successful requests: 190,173 (54,203) Average successful requests per day: 2,433 (7,743) Successful requests for pages: 36,137 (9,797) Average successful requests for pages per day: 462 (1,399) Distinct files requested: 503 (457) Distinct hosts served: 3,117 (1,073) The hits for the Rally Guide:- Full Guide nearly 10,000 45,000 downloads of various pdf documents So, in summary, nearly a quarter of a million hits in 80 odd days! Next year, we will put up text only versions of documents, to assist those without broadband, but everyone should note that as the internet develops, it is our intention to use it as much as possible OFFICIALSAgain some statistics will serve to illustrate the size and scope of our "Volunteer Army"Stage/Area/Duty Number Forties Spectator area 48 Mt Pleasant Service Park 53 Cromer 46 Mawsons Row 54 Kenton Valley 49 Charleston 46 Mt Gawler 49 Ridgetops 44 Forties 47 High Eden 62 Thunder Gully (made up from Goldfields Officials) 30 Goldfields 43 Rally Control/Headquarters 19 Mt Pleasant Other (includes Commentators, Refuel etc) 24 FIV 44 Scrutineers 20 Course Cars 34 Recovery 7 TV Car Crew 8 Other (odds) 8 Total 735 NOTE: Some of these officials doubled up on duties(EG Media/Test Day, some did a couple stages etc) Total Registered Officials 632
NOTE: Of the total of 632 officials for the year 2005, 181 were new officials (28.5%), which is a significant increase of turnover of officials over previous years. This sort of turnover is not good and has to be addressed. The "attended training" figures are disappointing, and need significant improvement. What was done this year was to have top up training on site at the stage, so everyone who signed on got some training, but that is not a satisfactory long term solution We are looking to Forest in the City day to be run to a much higher standard (including a functioning Rally Control) to address this - and anyone with any ideas on how to do that is more than welcome to bring them forward AWARDS FOR OFFICIALSThis year there is a lot more variety in what was offered.We ran a "beanie" competition, where the most interesting photograph of an official wearing an event beanie earned the official concerned a Subaru team Jacket, this year won by Hedley Bachmann We also asked each stage commander to nominate the best official on their stage or department, and selected one overall winner as Official of the Year 2005 from the 12 nominations. The Official of the Year for 2005 is Gary Hales of Dimboola, who won an authentic Toyota Team Racing Rally Jacket and a framed poster, signed by the 3 winners. Congratulations Gary, very well done, and I know you put in a huge effort Each of the nominees will also receive a framed signed poster in recognition of their nomination as listed below:- Chris Hebart from HIGH EDEN Roy Feather from MT GAWLER Gary Hales from GOLDFIELDS/THUNDER GULLY Peter Winton from TEST DAYS Brian Carter from CHARLESTON Lorraine Parsons from MAWSONS ROW Gordon Work from FORTIES John Short from KENTON VALLEY David Henderson from SPECTATOR CONTROL Ric Darley from CROMER Brian Hewett from SERVICE PARK Mark Zilm from RIDGETOPS Thanks to all of you for outstanding effort - we will be in touch soon to arrange presentations Three more stage commanders qualified for their 3 year jackets this year - Jim Forrest, Steve Fisher and Dick Manning This year, the Best Stage Award was a dead heat between CHARLESTON, run by David Milne, and KENTON VALLEY, run by Malcolm Dodd Each of those stages had unique challenges, expertly met, and so great work, David and Mal! It would be true to say that just about every stage and department was in contention for this award, and the decision to go with David and Malcolm in a dead heat was very close indeed, and won on quite marginal factors - so everyone should be proud of their efforts all round Every member who worked on those awarded stages will receive a best stage patch, and recognition on their certificate DEBRIEFINGSFull debriefs have been held with many people now - Stage Commanders, SAMSB, etc, and points arising have been taken on board.If you have anything you would like us to take into account next year, drop me a note via email ivar@toyotarallysa.com.au, or just call me on 0418 834 311 or 8212 2800 SPECTATORS NOT PAYINGHard to know what to do here, but this is a huge issue. It affects the viability of the event, and all of us need to take it very seriouslyYou can assist by challenging people when you see them ripping the event off, and you can also assist by ensuring your free tickets are used as intended Next year, there will be lots of other strategies in place to minimise this as well, including visible policing. Spectators stealing signs is another biggie - and if you see that happening, please intervene as much as you are safely able to - again, we will be putting strategies in place to try and minimise these activities If you know someone who is involved, be a whistleblower, and don't allow them to get away with it. We will follow-up all information, and keep our sources anonymous OTHER STUFFThanks again for your participation, and I hope everyone has a great Xmas and holiday season, and I look forward to working with you all again next year Cheers Ivar Ivar Stanelis Rally Director/Clerk of Course Approx 337 days to go! |