Nicky Grist was impressed by Rally Norway’s plans

– I am impressed by Rally Norway’s plans for WRC round. It could be a rally that stands out from the other WRC rounds – says Nicky Grist, probably the world’s most famous co-driver ever.

For one thing he was co-driver for Colin McRae for many years and has won several WRC rounds. He now works as consultant and TV expert. He recently visited Jordan to look at their plans and on May 24 he was in Norway to give his views on the Norwegian plans.

– You have plenty of excellent roads to choose from so Norway can make a compact WRC round and obviously there also seem to be better guarantees for snow than in Sweden. I was fascinated to see ice on several lakes as late as May, says Grist.

– Hamar has excellent facilities for headquarter, press centre and main service. The Viking Ship Arena is impressive, and rally indoors is exclusive to Norway and will be noticed abroad. I am sure the spectators will rush in. That the teams can use Haslemoen is a great advantage. To have a base with heated garages for each team means a lot. I also noticed that Rally Norway has full support from the local authorities. Yes, I am impressed by what Rally Norway can offer.

– Did you see something you didn’t like?
– Well, Hamar is a small town and will probably have a limited number of rooms. That is the only thing, but it will certainly be dealt with. I think the team leaders and drivers will stay in Hamar while the mechanics will stay at Haslemoen. It will work perfectly.

–  Rally Norway’s vision is to create “the best rally ever”. Do you think this will come true?

– It is an ambitious plan as there are many competent organisers. But you have an experienced organising crew from Rally Finnskog Norway, the organiser of European Rally Championship rounds for many years. You have Bruno Berglund to find the best Special Stages and you have organising experience from the Winter Olympic Games in 1994. This will all work for Rally Norway, says Nicky Grist.

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