Madam,

On behalf of the organisers of the upcoming Rali Bae Ceredigion, I was disappointed to read a letter in last week’s issue which attempted to link the event to a ‘climate obscenity’, so we thought it only fair that your readers should learn more about our event and the positive effect the wider motorsport industry has on our daily lives.

Motorsport plays a vital role in driving safety, sustainability and environmental innovations within the automotive industry. For years, many car manufacturers have used motorsport to research and develop pioneering technology that is now used in everyday road cars to improve safety, enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

As an example, aerodynamic features from motorsport vehicles have been incorporated into road cars to reduce drag and resistance. Smaller, lightweight, turbocharged engines were first developed in motorsport and are now commonplace among many household and family cars thanks to increased efficiency.

The strength and performance of cutting-edge lightweight materials has been tested on motorsport vehicles and incorporated into standard road cars – again to reduce weight and thereby fuel use and emissions. Tyre manufacturers also use motorsport to develop tyres with reduced rolling resistance, again to increase efficiency.

Hybrid technology to provide alternative vehicle power, such as electricity - including the practical development of battery performance - has been used and developed in motorsport.

Rather than condemn the important supporters of Rali Bae Ceredigion, the local businesses and partners who have shown enthusiasm around this new initiative should be commended and applauded for getting behind the event.

Rally organisers have taken every possible step to reduce the impact the event has on the environment, from promoting the use of shuttle buses and car-sharing, to launching initiatives around waste and plastic recycling. Spectators have the ability to attend the event using public transport, arriving into Aberystwyth by train with a short walk to the park-and-ride area, which takes them directly to a Fan Zone.

The rally features one of the most compact formats in the UK. The short route ensures mileage is kept to an absolute minimum and the use of dedicated Fan Zones will help limit vehicle movements, with fans directed to specially-arranged areas to watch the action.

The financial benefits to the local economy and the opening up of the region to new tourists and visitors has already been recognised and is welcomed by organisations in the area. And hopefully now your readers will understand the positive part motorsport plays in driving initiatives in advancing vehicle technology and consequently, reducing the everyday impact on the environment.

We are all looking forward to this exciting new event and have been overwhelmed by the many messages and words of support and encouragement from residents and businesses in the region. Our aim is to deliver one of the UK’s premier events that the entire area of Ceredigion can be proud of.

Yours etc, Phil Pugh, chairman of the organising committee, Rali Bae Ceredigion.

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