Fester ... whilst I respect your views to not like motor sport I feel I should point out that rally drivers do not intentionally set out to hit walls! Any repairs are covered by the insurance that is taken out both by the event and the drivers - on behalf of the Cambrian Rally I have just paid a premium of over £5k to the insurers - that was for cover up to £60M (yes, sixty million!). This year no claims are being made but in the past I have dealt with one or two, although it is a very rare thing to have to do.
... compare that with the local boy racers who regularly use the A470 out of Llandudno in the middle of the night for their activities, and also those that go round the Orme at night joy-riding - the likes of you and I, as tax payers, pay for their misdemeanours, whether repairs to the wall or paying for the emergency services call-outs that occur.
... as for pollution I should point out that all activities use motorised transport - the Tour of Britain cycle race had over 200 vehicles running alongside the cyclists (that included 40 police motor-cyclists!). The weekly football matches have thousands (millions?) travelling by car or coach. Many anglers use cars to get to their favoured fishing grounds, and those who go out on a boat also use fuel. Even cycle and athletic races use fuel as the competitors, supporters and spectators have to get to the venues.
... motor sport is actually doing a lot to help the environment as development of the motor car runs alongside competition, and Britain is at the forefront of this side of the industry.
... I am the event secretary quoted in the press and I know that our event brought a lot of people into town, "buying" hotel space and also spending quite a lot in the shops, pubs and restaurants. I know that the Land-Rover crews were over-awed by the area and will be returning with their families for future visits. We attracted competitors from all corners of England, Scotland and Wales. The event is a commercial success for the locality, in the same way as other sporting events - I personally hate cyclists but accept that the Tour of Britain brought in a lot of revenue, as do athletic events and numerous other activities.
... it certainly wouldn't do for us all to like/dislike the same things - there would be no need for forums to discuss things!!!
Carry on enjoying whatever it is you enjoy! I know I will.
