Two years ago I could see the possible writing on the wall for the Cyprus run of the World Rally Championship. After being run here in Cyprus for many years it was taken off the calender without any real explanation. I think a lot had to do with the squaring off of the Church, Police and the Rally people. Last year, in its place the Mid-East Chanpionship was run as it was earlier this year too. I was surprised that they were back this year since they ended up closing two legs of the rally last year. In the first leg some group kidnapped the officials and they dropped a couple of trees over the second leg.
So now it seens that politics has entered the scene again. The FIA (organizing body) has their own problem with politics, but doesn't want to be in the middle of others problems. They have tentively placed Cyprus on the calender for March 2009. That is all well and good, but here is where the politics comes in. I don't know what group ran the rallies before I got here, but since I have been here it is the Cyprus Automobile Association and they have done a great job. The Cyprus Sports Organisation may not approve the racing events held by the Automobile Association. If they don't the FIA will take Cyprus off the calender.
As usual the Sports Organisation seems to know little of sportmanship. Whine, whine...they have bought into the police arguement that they should control the crowds. For what, the less I see of them around here the better. Since they were part of the arguement two years ago I would be surprised if they organized the kidnapping last year. The 'no police' reason caused them to cancel the Cyprus International Historic Rally this year and the FIA, because it was on the clender, wants to be paid for the officials that were supposed to come here.
Now enter the fire department. The November rally, Troodos International Rally, which runs through the mountains and forests may be cancelled by the fire department. Because we have had drought conditions this year they have a fear of fire. Jesus, always protect us from ourselves.
About five years ago a group drew up plans for a Formula One circut here. The government with no vision turned it down. This island is actually the perfect place to have one. Unlike some tracks that sit idle all year, waiting for their Formula One circus to arrive, a track here could be used all year. Instead the streets are packed with Rally and Formula One driver want-a-bes and the police can't even handle that. Three years ago the Cyprus arch-enemy, Turkey, opened a once a year Formula One track and they aren't complaining.
It may or may not be true, but they claim that the Cyprus Rally brings to the island €25-30 million, and it gives a total of 327 hours of coverage by worldwide television networks. Seems a little high, but it may be true.
