The 2015 Rallying Thread

[Allyc85]

14 rounds for the WRC next year then, with China confirmed!

2016 WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR

January 22-24 Monte Carlo
February 12-14 Sweden
March 4-6 Mexico
April 22-24 Argentina
May 20-22 Portugal
June 10-12 Italy
July 1-3 Poland
July 29-31 Finland
August 19-21 Germany
September 9-11 China
Sep 30-Oct 2 France
October 14-16 Spain
October 28-30 Great Britain
November 18-20 Australia

[Alex Langheck]

Disappointed that RallyGB have accepted an earlier date; if anything, the event needs a later date. More chance of wintry weather and after the F1 season has finished = more general Motorsport media coverage, as there used to be.

It hasn't always been the final round; the Olympus and Bandama were sometimes afterwards, but it was mid/ late November.

I get the feeling if the FiA asked them to move to July they would; they are that desperate to stay a WRC round.

[TheExcession]

Agreed ^^^

Disappointing not to see NZ in there too. I'd also really like to see the old Safari Rally in there, when was the last time 2003/2004?

Ireland should be up for a chance too, IIRC Loeb stated that Ireland "was a challenge".

But ho hum, that's what we've got for next year.

[Alex Langheck]

I actually think Rally Oz have got a nerve; they shouldn't have a WRC round, it should be RallyNZ, the best roads in the world!

The WRC could be so much better - but we get more of the same.

[RyanTank]

Disappointed to see Australia as the season closer, despite pretty much all the teams saying its a mistake having such a long haul round at the end of the year. rather selfishly, but often the titles have been sown up by the time they get to Wales, so drivers seem to put on that extra bit of a show, and that's always nicer to see first hand

Malcolm Wilson stated that he wouldn't be hanging around after the Rally for the Gala dinner the FIA are apparently touting. Autosport article
The teams will be eager to get back to their respective HQ as quick as possible to finish the short winter testing before the new car launch and Monte at the start of 2016

[GravelBen]

Alex Langheck said:

it should be RallyNZ, the best roads in the world!

I agree! But I would say that

Part of what annoys the NZ rally community about it is that Aus struck a deal with NZ to alternate 3 year stints of WRC, the NZ event management backed off then the Aussies turned around and said screw you, we'll do everything we can to keep it to ourselves.

In the meantime a heap of Aussie drivers come to NZ for local and national rallies and tell us how much better it is here...

[Ranger 6]

rwstokes said:

Ranger 6 said:

Anyone out and about at the Tempest this weekend?

I'll be out standing in the forest and praying its slightly drier than last year. That wasn't that much fun.

It was a touch moist wasn't it.

Which stage?

[Alex Langheck]

GravelBen said:

I agree! But I would say that

Part of what annoys the NZ rally community about it is that Aus struck a deal with NZ to alternate 3 year stints of WRC, the NZ event management backed off then the Aussies turned around and said screw you, we'll do everything we can to keep it to ourselves.

In the meantime a heap of Aussie drivers come to NZ for local and national rallies and tell us how much better it is here...

Aussies are really only interested in V8 Supercars - look at the small spectator numbers for RallyOZ. The event isn't that good - the Perth based event was fantastic, this is just another gravel event. Rant over!!

[rwstokes]

Ranger 6 said:

rwstokes said:

Ranger 6 said:

Anyone out and about at the Tempest this weekend?

I'll be out standing in the forest and praying its slightly drier than last year. That wasn't that much fun.

It was a touch moist wasn't it.

Which stage?

Thinking of heading over to Warren Heath for the first runs of the 2wd and 4wd boys, but gotta dash back up to Norfolk so wont stick around for the second runs sadly. I would head over to the stages which shall not be named, but actually I really like Warren heath for the variety, where as the others are a touch less interesting.

[thepawbroon]

Ranger 6 said:

Anyone out and about at the Tempest this weekend?

I'm doing my annual marshalling effort - on one of the non-spectator stages (better not mention which one in case BarrryG kicks my butt).

[thepawbroon]

Ranger 6 said:

Anyone out and about at the Tempest this weekend?

I'm doing my annual marshalling effort - on one of the non-spectator stages (better not mention which one in case BarrryG kicks my butt).

[Ranger 6]

LOL yup, the stages that shan't be mentioned. Is it Pete's by any chance Duncan?

[GravelBen]

Alex Langheck said:

Aussies are really only interested in V8 Supercars - look at the small spectator numbers for RallyOZ

I think a reasonable number of Aussie petrolheads are interested in rallying as well, but when they schedule rally Australia for the same weekend as a major V8 race (Sandown 500) it sure isn't going to help with spectator numbers! Pretty poor planning really.

[Ben Lowden]

I've put together a beginners guide to Wales Rally GB, which has just gone live here: http://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features/wa...

I think it's my eleventh time this year, however I'm sure there's stuff I've missed and would very much like this to be a community led guide moving forwards. So please feel free to tear it to shreds (constructively) or add words of wisdom to it in the comments for anyone looking!

Cheers,
Ben

[thepawbroon]

Ranger 6 said:

LOL yup, the stages that shan't be mentioned. Is it Pete's by any chance Duncan?

I think it's normally Pete's, but someone else (Gavin) is running this year.....

[Allyc85]

Kris Meeke PET..

https://youtu.be/Cn4aE2JvLBY

[GravelBen]

He might just be enjoying himself there...

[PAluzas]

Is anyone looking for a ticket for the Wales Rally? I've got a spare full weekend ticket going for £60.

[covmutley]

please could I ask for some advice. My dad and I are going on the Friday again this year. We are both into our photography.

We went to sweet lamb last year and had some great views of the cars for long periods of time, but im not convinced its the best for photography. We were quite lucky to get a spot on a small ridge so that we could get photos over peoples heads.

I fancy doing something different this year, and hopefully getting a bit closer to the cars for some good shots. My plan is to go to Myherin and walk north east toward the wind turbines.

Does anyone know if we will find somewhere close to the action that isnt too busy so we could get some good photos?

[Drumroll]

"Close to the action" is not really what you should be asking. Somewhere that is "safe" that will get you closer to the action is better. Rallying in the UK is still "recovering" from the aftermath of a photographer and two others who wanted to get "close to the action"