The 2016 Rallying thread (WRC, ERC, RX, etc)

[chasingracecars]

We are going to come up on the Saturday for two days staying nearby, What time should I plan to be at the parking in the morning. We haven't been for years and due to hectic weeks at work we don't fancy getting on site at 0530.

If anyone can give some friendly advice could they drop me a PM? Is it worth missing the rush and coming after the first few cars have gone. Does everyone head off early thus meaning the car parks are queuing because everyone leaves early?

Edited by chasingracecars on Thursday 13th October 21:15

[fttm]

Been following coverage from Mull via the radio link , emotional scenes at SF18 for winning driver John MacCrone after such a difficult year , well deserved and I'm fairly certain the other competitors would wish for no better victor tonight . Cracking event

[Alex Langheck]

Yes, fantastic event, and an emotional win for John MacCrone. Thought it was going to slip away when he broke a drive shaft 3 stages from the end, which cost him 14 seconds. And the worse person chasing you on Mull is Calum Duffy......

Thanks to all for the radio coverage, preferred it over the WRC Rally Catalunya.

[DelicaL400]

Just back from 10 days on Mull. Absolutely brilliant. Having been part of the parade last year with all the tears and sadness it was good to see the different emotions this year.

[Pwig]

Really enjoyed Mull, then again I always do!

[avenger286]

DelicaL400 said:

Just back from 10 days on Mull. Absolutely brilliant. Having been part of the parade last year with all the tears and sadness it was good to see the different emotions this year.

Still got another 5 days to go on the island ! This year was defenetly better than last year for all the right reasons . We finished 67oa not bad in a standard car on our 1st event as not counting last year .

[Francy555]

RyanTank said:

Francy555 said:

Guys, I'm heading over for the first time this year.

We're basing ourselves in Rhayader and doing Sweet lamb on the Friday. Have you any advice for getting into sweet lamb, first car is due at 8.01am so I assume we'll need to be there from 5.30am onwards due to crowds etc.

As for the Saturday we're undecided as to what stage to do? any recommendations?

get there as early as you can. the car park will fill up the night before (if open then). Sweet lamb attracts many more spectators due to the ease of access and the better/longer viewing advantage of a forest. expect lots of kids too as its one of the more family friendly stages other then Cholmondeley

I can only recommend Dyfi for the Saturday, I've never been in the other stages. Pantperthog is a non spectator stage, unless you want to really plan it out on an OS map and walk a very long way as there's no spectator parking available. theres barely room to park all the marshals so I was told this week!

Thanks for the advice - we're thinking of doing Garteiniog or Aberhirnant on the sat. does anyone know if it is possible to walk between Sweet lamb and Hafren cross county?

[RyanTank]

perfectly possible. with enough forward planning. handy website here with all stages marked and clicking on somewhere will give you the gps co ordinates to work out distances and locations

https://www.rally-maps.com/Wales-Rally-GB-2016

[Francy555]

I know looking at the maps its possible, but just wondering are there any restrictions in place, large fencing etc and the msa rules on spectators, im sure the MSA won't take kindly to spectators not in the designated areas.

[thepawbroon]

Hi,

I'm not long back from Mull where I was on "the other side" for the first time, as one of the Competitor Liaison Officers. I really enjoyed it, not a dull moment. What an incredible rally, and I'm so pleased for John MacCrone taking the win. I can't begin to think of the pressure he withstood, he made a plan for the rally and stuck with it. Imagine driving at that pace for 150+ stage miles, mainly wet and dark, with Calum Duffy on your tail - let alone any internal, emotional stuff.

My ex-driver Doug Weir and his wife/nav Linda had a big shunt, which required hospital visits. Happily they are both home and OK now.

I've just (for the first time ever) booked ticket for the Wales Rally GB. We can only spare one day free, so are going on Sunday to Brenig. Should be fun!

cheers
Duncan

[RyanTank]

Francy555 said:

I know looking at the maps its possible, but just wondering are there any restrictions in place, large fencing etc and the msa rules on spectators, i'm sure the MSA won't take kindly to spectators not in the designated areas.

as long as your in safe spots, then they are unlikely to find issue with where you are. spectators are encouraged to use the speccy pens "for their viewing pleasure and ease of access". just don't walk the stage when it is live and if using the roads between stages that the cars will be travelling be aware they wont be dawdling along, try to keep to the verges.

there were a few fences put up in Dyfnant last year at the end of the large spectator area, but it was perfectly passable.

[Francy555]

RyanTank said:

as long as your in safe spots, then they are unlikely to find issue with where you are. spectators are encouraged to use the speccy pens "for their viewing pleasure and ease of access". just don't walk the stage when it is live and if using the roads between stages that the cars will be travelling be aware they wont be dawdling along, try to keep to the verges.

there were a few fences put up in Dyfnant last year at the end of the large spectator area, but it was perfectly passable.

Don't worry I'm well versed in what to do and not to do whilst spectating, he road I live on has been used as a stage in the Ulster rally in years gone by, was a stage in both Rally Ireland's so I'm well used to standing in the hedges and surrounding fields. Just not sure how overly zealous the MSA rule will be interpreted by the marshals/Safety officer for the stage, as I said it's our first time over for event on the mainland.

hopefully on the day it won't be an issue to walk between both stages.

[chasingracecars]

I asked earlier about parking at the events on Saturday and Sunday, If I arrive at 0700 or after would I have no chance of parking and miles of walking before we get to the stage or should we be ok?

I expect we will be walking around 10miles each day anyway so walking is not a major issue but would like to reduce this if it means we get up earlier.

Thanks.

[Pwig]

I had about an hours walk when I got there at 5am one year.

Depends on which stage you go on. I remember I found a quiet spot to park up near Alywn the other year, which didn't get busy in the morning..

[Allyc85]

Not good to read about the rumours of Vw pulling out of the WRC, due to the emissions fk up. Some saying it's a done deal, and details to be decided at a meeting tomorrow.

[confucuis]

Allyc85 said:

Not good to read about the rumours of Vw pulling out of the WRC, due to the emissions fk up. Some saying it's a done deal, and details to be decided at a meeting tomorrow.

Nooo

I really really want to see Meeke Vs. Ogier. I think Meeke has found a truly awesome pace whereas Ogier seems to have lost some!

[Allyc85]

After missing out on Loeb V Ogier it would be a massive shame for it to miss out on Ogier V Meeke! Saying that though I wonder if it's why Toyota have been holding a seat back, as I can't see M-sport being able to afford Seb without a massive sponsor. I'd imagine JML would end up there as he is rumoured to have funds, not sure about Mikkelsen though.

[Allyc85]

I see Mr Ogier has had his way and the WRC will go back to the championship leader only first on the road for leg 1. As good as it was to have so many different winners this year, it was a tad artificial, so this is the right move to me.

[GravelBen]

Allyc85 said:

I see Mr Ogier has had his way and the WRC will go back to the championship leader only first on the road for leg 1. As good as it was to have so many different winners this year, it was a tad artificial, so this is the right move to me.

I'd prefer them to scrap the contrived reverse order business and just run straight rally order after the first day though.

[anonymous-user]

This rally looks fantastic

Condroz Rallye 2016

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M2ILNJbyr8

Great action