RE: Wales Rally GB: PH Guide
Discussion
The memories....
SD1's, Quatto's, Delta's, moving onto the early Imprezza and the Foci... Chatsowrth, Clumber. Dalby......
There is nothing like hearing that first car approaching. The forrest goes quiet, not a sound around, but a large engine working hard, turbo whistlling, exhaust popping and cracking before it comes around a corner like a snarling angry beast. All too quickly it's gone moving on to attack the next corner the sound fading and the leaves rusting.
Can't get there next weekend. One year I will make this.
SD1's, Quatto's, Delta's, moving onto the early Imprezza and the Foci... Chatsowrth, Clumber. Dalby......
There is nothing like hearing that first car approaching. The forrest goes quiet, not a sound around, but a large engine working hard, turbo whistlling, exhaust popping and cracking before it comes around a corner like a snarling angry beast. All too quickly it's gone moving on to attack the next corner the sound fading and the leaves rusting.
Can't get there next weekend. One year I will make this.
pablo36 said:
Just ordered a forest pass for Friday. This is the first time I have attempted to go to the rally since 1999 when I spent more time sat in a traffic jams than actually seeing the rallying. Hopefully this time will be better. Am only planning to go to one place out of either Hafren or Sweet Lamb. Which is likely to be the least hassle in terms of getting into and out of if I arrive about 8am or is that way too late?
Last time I went to Sweet Lamb but it took three hours to get in and three hours to get out!
Any help to make this time better much appreciated.
In the 10 years I've been going, I've only ever got there an hour before the stage starts and never had any issues with parking or getting onto the stage. I guess it depends how far into the stage you want to walk, but if you're heading for Sweet Lamb on Friday I would have thought getting there for 8ish would be absolutely fine.Last time I went to Sweet Lamb but it took three hours to get in and three hours to get out!
Any help to make this time better much appreciated.
Given the advice from other PHers about getting there two hours before, it's not going to hurt if you can face the earlier start and it will give you more time to find a better vantage point. Plus it'll alleviate any worry about not getting parked or missing any of the action. Enjoy!
redddraggon said:
I have Forest passes for the Sunday. Car Park Q is open 8pm on Saturday, can I park up the night before and sleep in the car?
You certainly can - and I would suggest that is the proper way of watching the rally....there is still something special about sleeping in a forest at a rally. 
Alex Langheck said:
You certainly can - and I would suggest that is the proper way of watching the rally....there is still something special about sleeping in a forest at a rally.
I miss those days! Need powered digs now as my brother that comes with me now needs a device to keep him alive at night!Posh marshalling for me now. Get to shower between days as a luxury too
Leptons said:
Right then I'm heading down Friday Eve and sleeping in the van. Which is going to be the best car park to stay in? 
We're heading to car park H at Dyfi on Saturday morning, but it opens on the Friday night and could be a good spot. Seems to be the largest with 2.5 miles of forest track for parking too. All the stage/car park opening times are on the rally planner here: http://www.walesrallygb.com/spectators/rallyplanne...
RyanTank said:
Here's a video I made of the hairpin last year, this year you'll see the car approach the other way and see them burst over a slight crest into the hairpin, before disappearing down a straight away from you to a 90right.
http://youtu.be/4Lsn0QNE69s
I was on that spot in 2013 and unlike the video above there were people all over the place moving about between runs. The video suggests everyone was well penned in and not allowed to move so I do wonder how strict it will be this year. http://youtu.be/4Lsn0QNE69s
Here are some of my pics from 2013 and despite not being media it's obvious that I was able to get around in between each run quite easily as did pretty much everyone else.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jwbphotog/albums/721...
It was much busier than what it was in 2013 judging by your pics and my vid.
They were quite well penned in on the hairpin and on the edges of it. But we also alowed people to roam about further up the stage away from us.
Unfortunately this year with all the issues surrounding photographers both official and hobbyists in rallying there's a massive clamp down on where you are permitted to go.
Basically your either in the penned areas with the spectators, unless a signed on photographer/tv person, then you get to stand infront of the tape. So bring a zoom lense
There is now a zero tolerance approach to people standing in prohibited areas, whereas media used to do so at their own risk, being signed on to the event and all that. But this year the orders have come for no special acces to anyone without a signed letter from rally HQ & the FIA
They were quite well penned in on the hairpin and on the edges of it. But we also alowed people to roam about further up the stage away from us.
Unfortunately this year with all the issues surrounding photographers both official and hobbyists in rallying there's a massive clamp down on where you are permitted to go.
Basically your either in the penned areas with the spectators, unless a signed on photographer/tv person, then you get to stand infront of the tape. So bring a zoom lense
There is now a zero tolerance approach to people standing in prohibited areas, whereas media used to do so at their own risk, being signed on to the event and all that. But this year the orders have come for no special acces to anyone without a signed letter from rally HQ & the FIA
Ben Lowden said:
Leptons said:
Right then I'm heading down Friday Eve and sleeping in the van. Which is going to be the best car park to stay in?
We're heading to car park H at Dyfi on Saturday morning, but it opens on the Friday night and could be a good spot. Seems to be the largest with 2.5 miles of forest track for parking too. All the stage/car park opening times are on the rally planner here: http://www.walesrallygb.com/spectators/rallyplanne...
Unfortunately I've injured my leg and it's now pretty clear it won't be healed in time for walking about on Saturday. Gutted 
Does anyone want my Saturday Forest Pass? Face value £25, access to every stage on Saturday except Chirk Castle. It's a print-at-home email ticket so no worries about post.
Please PM me if interested.
Does anyone want my Saturday Forest Pass? Face value £25, access to every stage on Saturday except Chirk Castle. It's a print-at-home email ticket so no worries about post.
Please PM me if interested.
moribund said:
Unfortunately I've injured my leg and it's now pretty clear it won't be healed in time for walking about on Saturday. Gutted
Does anyone want my Saturday Forest Pass? Face value £25, access to every stage on Saturday except Chirk Castle. It's a print-at-home email ticket so no worries about post.
Please PM me if interested.
PM sent Does anyone want my Saturday Forest Pass? Face value £25, access to every stage on Saturday except Chirk Castle. It's a print-at-home email ticket so no worries about post.
Please PM me if interested.
Thread resurrection!
I've never done a Rally before. Any Rally whatsoever. Thought about WRC last few years but never managed to get there.
Decided I'm going Friday.
I've had a read through the online planner
I've printed off the stages maps details
I've saved the parking co-ordinates into my nav.
I'm taking the advice of taking a torch
A few more questions
Is 2 hours at the parking location prior to 'first car' still sufficient?
Will anybody have an issue with me wearing a BMMC orange waterproof or will I get pestered with questions all day?
Shall I take sandwiches & flask are there good (reasonably priced) facilities at each stage?
I considered driving Thu night from York and kipping in the back of the Volvo Estate but I suspect I'll have a crap night sleep and end up more tired than I would if I just set off early. I guess I'll have to leave York circa 0330 If I hope to be at Clocaenog for 0600 then 2hrs for the 0756 start.
Any other advice for a total Rally newbie?
I've never done a Rally before. Any Rally whatsoever. Thought about WRC last few years but never managed to get there.
Decided I'm going Friday.
I've had a read through the online planner
I've printed off the stages maps details
I've saved the parking co-ordinates into my nav.
I'm taking the advice of taking a torch
A few more questions
Is 2 hours at the parking location prior to 'first car' still sufficient?
Will anybody have an issue with me wearing a BMMC orange waterproof or will I get pestered with questions all day?
Shall I take sandwiches & flask are there good (reasonably priced) facilities at each stage?
I considered driving Thu night from York and kipping in the back of the Volvo Estate but I suspect I'll have a crap night sleep and end up more tired than I would if I just set off early. I guess I'll have to leave York circa 0330 If I hope to be at Clocaenog for 0600 then 2hrs for the 0756 start.
Any other advice for a total Rally newbie?
Seeing as you're going to Clocaenog; the car park opens at 20:00 Thursday night......and if it's anything like last year, then I'd be getting there well before your planned time of 6:00 Friday morning; as it's likely to be nearly full by then.
To be honest, I'd bring your own food, and if possible if you have one, a stove, kettle, frying pan, for a 'rally breakfast'. The catering provided is the usual overpriced fayre.
Oh, and enjoy!! The speed and commitment of the top boys is something else.
I went for a CX ride around Brenig, Alwen & Clocaenog on Saturday, and those stages looked in great condition.
To be honest, I'd bring your own food, and if possible if you have one, a stove, kettle, frying pan, for a 'rally breakfast'. The catering provided is the usual overpriced fayre.
Oh, and enjoy!! The speed and commitment of the top boys is something else.
I went for a CX ride around Brenig, Alwen & Clocaenog on Saturday, and those stages looked in great condition.
2 hrs probably ok possibly pushing it, 3 hrs definitely ok, based on the 2 or 3 times ive been.
Take supplies, you are going to have to be relatively well prepared/dressed appropriately for a day stood in the countryside regardless anyway, so do it properly. Part of the fun.
Viewing is quite restricted to spectator areas generally now, but there is usually plenty of space. Some people seem to stop in 1 spot, but I prefer a couple of different spots, say a slower and faster corner.
Ive decided to give it a miss this year as the Friday is easier for me, but its not in mid wales this year, so a bit a of a trek! Enjoy!
Oh, and trust me, if you wear orange or hi-vis waterproofs you will fit right in. I havent worked out why but its what many seem to wear. I assume it is something to do with club motorsport, or just people who work in certain industries wearing their workwear?
Take supplies, you are going to have to be relatively well prepared/dressed appropriately for a day stood in the countryside regardless anyway, so do it properly. Part of the fun.
Viewing is quite restricted to spectator areas generally now, but there is usually plenty of space. Some people seem to stop in 1 spot, but I prefer a couple of different spots, say a slower and faster corner.
Ive decided to give it a miss this year as the Friday is easier for me, but its not in mid wales this year, so a bit a of a trek! Enjoy!
Oh, and trust me, if you wear orange or hi-vis waterproofs you will fit right in. I havent worked out why but its what many seem to wear. I assume it is something to do with club motorsport, or just people who work in certain industries wearing their workwear?
Edited by covmutley on Tuesday 2nd October 23:07
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