Rally - The future ??

The future of special stage rallying is secure - well nearly! Causing no damage to gravel or tarmac roads and no noise nuisance to local folks and passers-by, and no need for the constant replenishment of tyres, this could be the answer to all our prayers. Or could it?

The Airspeeder Mk4 will shortly be available with a nought to 225 mph time of 30 seconds. Designed and built in Australia, the Airspeeder Mk4 is the world's fastest electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

It has a sophisticated electric propulsion system, advanced aerodynamics and a take-off weight of just 950 kgs with a projected range of 300 km (188 miles) while producing near-zero emissions.

Powered by a 1,000 kW (1,340 hp) turbogenerator, which feeds power to the batteries and motors, it is fuelled by green hydrogen.

The four tilt rotors utilise a unique gimballed thrust system which enables it to manoeuvre more like an F1 car than a flying multicopter.

There is however, just one ever so tiny wee problem. It’s a single seater. There’s no room  for a co-driver or navigator – yet! However, that does mean no arguments and no going in the huff, but it also means that some drivers could get easily lost.

Oh, and another wee problem. Marshals will need to learn semaphore so they can signal to the competitors with their flags. And another thing, the safety and medical crews will need to swot up on air-sickness and dizzy spell afflictions. Oops, one more thing, the recovery crews will need special tree surgeon tackle to rescue troubled pilots who may have parachuted down and got stuck in the trees.

Otherwise, this is the answer to protect the future our sport. Or is it? All it needs is the soundtrack of a BDA powered Mk2 in full flight and we’re there, eh?