Roger Albert Clark Rally 2023
Discussion
Back after 4 days
A bit rallied out to be honest, it is a slog at times just chasing the event, walking a fair way and a lot of driving.
Plusses, the organisers have been superb, the start in Camarthen was great, people everywhere, all free and open and no doubt the town made a few bob. Great comms too, a stage in Scotland was cancelled and they let everyone know early, so you could plan. Great packs and tickets we got, and ease of access was superb.
Parking has generally been great too, if you plan ahead a bit and predict where the big stages might be it is easily possible with some walking, idiots just drive to the front, and either park badly or almost abandon their cars
Marshals, to a man and woman, friendly polite, non shouty and helpful. They were allowing people to walk on stages to get back to cars as long as they all behaved and EVERYONE I saw did. I was on a straight in Kershope today where most cars were flat in top for a good few seconds, with a bit of thought it was easy to trog back to the car without causing any issues or distracting drivers.
The only negatives I have are the Escort fest, it does get very dull, but I understand why and how this has happened.
You almost want it to be an easier and shorter event to allow more cars to stay in it, but that also distracts from the challenge.
And like with most historic racing the talent is spread very wide and sadly very thin, a lot of fans would be leaving after only about 20 or so cars, and I see why, as a heck of a lot of the guys out there are rightly JUST going for a finish, and are a bit ploddy. But this happens in All old motorsport, so cant be helped, especially with a huge entry fee and such a long event, so only a minor gripe.
A bit rallied out to be honest, it is a slog at times just chasing the event, walking a fair way and a lot of driving.
Plusses, the organisers have been superb, the start in Camarthen was great, people everywhere, all free and open and no doubt the town made a few bob. Great comms too, a stage in Scotland was cancelled and they let everyone know early, so you could plan. Great packs and tickets we got, and ease of access was superb.
Parking has generally been great too, if you plan ahead a bit and predict where the big stages might be it is easily possible with some walking, idiots just drive to the front, and either park badly or almost abandon their cars
Marshals, to a man and woman, friendly polite, non shouty and helpful. They were allowing people to walk on stages to get back to cars as long as they all behaved and EVERYONE I saw did. I was on a straight in Kershope today where most cars were flat in top for a good few seconds, with a bit of thought it was easy to trog back to the car without causing any issues or distracting drivers.
The only negatives I have are the Escort fest, it does get very dull, but I understand why and how this has happened.
You almost want it to be an easier and shorter event to allow more cars to stay in it, but that also distracts from the challenge.
And like with most historic racing the talent is spread very wide and sadly very thin, a lot of fans would be leaving after only about 20 or so cars, and I see why, as a heck of a lot of the guys out there are rightly JUST going for a finish, and are a bit ploddy. But this happens in All old motorsport, so cant be helped, especially with a huge entry fee and such a long event, so only a minor gripe.
flatlandsman said:
Back after 4 days
A bit rallied out to be honest, it is a slog at times just chasing the event, walking a fair way and a lot of driving.
Plusses, the organisers have been superb, the start in Camarthen was great, people everywhere, all free and open and no doubt the town made a few bob. Great comms too, a stage in Scotland was cancelled and they let everyone know early, so you could plan. Great packs and tickets we got, and ease of access was superb.
Parking has generally been great too, if you plan ahead a bit and predict where the big stages might be it is easily possible with some walking, idiots just drive to the front, and either park badly or almost abandon their cars
Marshals, to a man and woman, friendly polite, non shouty and helpful. They were allowing people to walk on stages to get back to cars as long as they all behaved and EVERYONE I saw did. I was on a straight in Kershope today where most cars were flat in top for a good few seconds, with a bit of thought it was easy to trog back to the car without causing any issues or distracting drivers.
The only negatives I have are the Escort fest, it does get very dull, but I understand why and how this has happened.
You almost want it to be an easier and shorter event to allow more cars to stay in it, but that also distracts from the challenge.
And like with most historic racing the talent is spread very wide and sadly very thin, a lot of fans would be leaving after only about 20 or so cars, and I see why, as a heck of a lot of the guys out there are rightly JUST going for a finish, and are a bit ploddy. But this happens in All old motorsport, so cant be helped, especially with a huge entry fee and such a long event, so only a minor gripe.
Re last paragraph, it's always been like this.A bit rallied out to be honest, it is a slog at times just chasing the event, walking a fair way and a lot of driving.
Plusses, the organisers have been superb, the start in Camarthen was great, people everywhere, all free and open and no doubt the town made a few bob. Great comms too, a stage in Scotland was cancelled and they let everyone know early, so you could plan. Great packs and tickets we got, and ease of access was superb.
Parking has generally been great too, if you plan ahead a bit and predict where the big stages might be it is easily possible with some walking, idiots just drive to the front, and either park badly or almost abandon their cars
Marshals, to a man and woman, friendly polite, non shouty and helpful. They were allowing people to walk on stages to get back to cars as long as they all behaved and EVERYONE I saw did. I was on a straight in Kershope today where most cars were flat in top for a good few seconds, with a bit of thought it was easy to trog back to the car without causing any issues or distracting drivers.
The only negatives I have are the Escort fest, it does get very dull, but I understand why and how this has happened.
You almost want it to be an easier and shorter event to allow more cars to stay in it, but that also distracts from the challenge.
And like with most historic racing the talent is spread very wide and sadly very thin, a lot of fans would be leaving after only about 20 or so cars, and I see why, as a heck of a lot of the guys out there are rightly JUST going for a finish, and are a bit ploddy. But this happens in All old motorsport, so cant be helped, especially with a huge entry fee and such a long event, so only a minor gripe.
A mixture of exciting stuff and disappointment.
Even in the high days you'd get maybe a handful of front runners who were really on it, 4/5 max maybe. Then another 10 who were trying but clearly not on the pace. Then another parade of ever slower efforts livened up by the occasional complete nutter and/or one of those 5 front runners who'd had a problem and trying to make up places.
Then you'd look down the list and see a local area association hero who won most local events would be coming through soon. Only to find that when they did it looked like your nan was driving.
FiF said:
flatlandsman said:
Back after 4 days
A bit rallied out to be honest, it is a slog at times just chasing the event, walking a fair way and a lot of driving.
Plusses, the organisers have been superb, the start in Camarthen was great, people everywhere, all free and open and no doubt the town made a few bob. Great comms too, a stage in Scotland was cancelled and they let everyone know early, so you could plan. Great packs and tickets we got, and ease of access was superb.
Parking has generally been great too, if you plan ahead a bit and predict where the big stages might be it is easily possible with some walking, idiots just drive to the front, and either park badly or almost abandon their cars
Marshals, to a man and woman, friendly polite, non shouty and helpful. They were allowing people to walk on stages to get back to cars as long as they all behaved and EVERYONE I saw did. I was on a straight in Kershope today where most cars were flat in top for a good few seconds, with a bit of thought it was easy to trog back to the car without causing any issues or distracting drivers.
The only negatives I have are the Escort fest, it does get very dull, but I understand why and how this has happened.
You almost want it to be an easier and shorter event to allow more cars to stay in it, but that also distracts from the challenge.
And like with most historic racing the talent is spread very wide and sadly very thin, a lot of fans would be leaving after only about 20 or so cars, and I see why, as a heck of a lot of the guys out there are rightly JUST going for a finish, and are a bit ploddy. But this happens in All old motorsport, so cant be helped, especially with a huge entry fee and such a long event, so only a minor gripe.
Re last paragraph, it's always been like this.A bit rallied out to be honest, it is a slog at times just chasing the event, walking a fair way and a lot of driving.
Plusses, the organisers have been superb, the start in Camarthen was great, people everywhere, all free and open and no doubt the town made a few bob. Great comms too, a stage in Scotland was cancelled and they let everyone know early, so you could plan. Great packs and tickets we got, and ease of access was superb.
Parking has generally been great too, if you plan ahead a bit and predict where the big stages might be it is easily possible with some walking, idiots just drive to the front, and either park badly or almost abandon their cars
Marshals, to a man and woman, friendly polite, non shouty and helpful. They were allowing people to walk on stages to get back to cars as long as they all behaved and EVERYONE I saw did. I was on a straight in Kershope today where most cars were flat in top for a good few seconds, with a bit of thought it was easy to trog back to the car without causing any issues or distracting drivers.
The only negatives I have are the Escort fest, it does get very dull, but I understand why and how this has happened.
You almost want it to be an easier and shorter event to allow more cars to stay in it, but that also distracts from the challenge.
And like with most historic racing the talent is spread very wide and sadly very thin, a lot of fans would be leaving after only about 20 or so cars, and I see why, as a heck of a lot of the guys out there are rightly JUST going for a finish, and are a bit ploddy. But this happens in All old motorsport, so cant be helped, especially with a huge entry fee and such a long event, so only a minor gripe.
A mixture of exciting stuff and disappointment.
Even in the high days you'd get maybe a handful of front runners who were really on it, 4/5 max maybe. Then another 10 who were trying but clearly not on the pace. Then another parade of ever slower efforts livened up by the occasional complete nutter and/or one of those 5 front runners who'd had a problem and trying to make up places.
Then you'd look down the list and see a local area association hero who won most local events would be coming through soon. Only to find that when they did it looked like your nan was driving.
Cannot really believe that last stage.
To get THAT far, in THAT car, nursing so many issues and for it to let them down on the last stage, is unreal. Feel so sorry for Steve, Seb and the whole crew who worked their arses off to keep it in the rally.
But, it is all about finishing and Marty is now a true legend of this event, he knows how to pace it, knows how to deal with issues, yes there was maybe some luck involved, but the Irish are coming, some real quick guys on the stages also in the top 10, this is now becoming their event. About time we tried to find some guys from over here to take it back!!
To get THAT far, in THAT car, nursing so many issues and for it to let them down on the last stage, is unreal. Feel so sorry for Steve, Seb and the whole crew who worked their arses off to keep it in the rally.
But, it is all about finishing and Marty is now a true legend of this event, he knows how to pace it, knows how to deal with issues, yes there was maybe some luck involved, but the Irish are coming, some real quick guys on the stages also in the top 10, this is now becoming their event. About time we tried to find some guys from over here to take it back!!
Great result for McCormack , classic case of "to finish first, first you have to finish" , experience told him that at the pace Solberg was going it was best to let him crack on ahead and settle into his own rhythm , still damn quick thought .
Regards Solberg , helluva drive , lack of seat time in the car and against strong opposition he really delivered , hope he comes back next time . Perez deserves credit too , never thought he make past day 2 in the fragile Stratos but to be fighting for 3rd on day 5 is IMHO quite an achievement .
Regards Solberg , helluva drive , lack of seat time in the car and against strong opposition he really delivered , hope he comes back next time . Perez deserves credit too , never thought he make past day 2 in the fragile Stratos but to be fighting for 3rd on day 5 is IMHO quite an achievement .
bennno said:
ettore said:
What happened on the last stage?
Stratos either broke or crashed its not been made clear, left a clear sweep of mk2 escortsEither way it’s a massive shame, they weren’t going to catch McCormack but they might have held second.
I would disagree with that, a Stratos is only not a fragile car when the might of Abarth and Lancia are building and servicing them.
This car is very rare and if original and therefore very rare, parts and spares are highly likely to be fabricated, therefore perhaps stronger, or weaker than original parts. Combine all that and you into areas of the unknown on such a tough event.
Nobody really makes parts for a Stratos so the team were relying on their own nous to keep the thing in the rally, that they did it with such aplomb is a huge compliment to the team running the car, forgive the lack of recall.
It is a lot easier with an Escort, lots of people build them, to newer spec, there is decades of experience, I doubt anyone in that event has ANY experience of running a Stratos on a forest rally, they are either still in Italy or no longer with us
This car is very rare and if original and therefore very rare, parts and spares are highly likely to be fabricated, therefore perhaps stronger, or weaker than original parts. Combine all that and you into areas of the unknown on such a tough event.
Nobody really makes parts for a Stratos so the team were relying on their own nous to keep the thing in the rally, that they did it with such aplomb is a huge compliment to the team running the car, forgive the lack of recall.
It is a lot easier with an Escort, lots of people build them, to newer spec, there is decades of experience, I doubt anyone in that event has ANY experience of running a Stratos on a forest rally, they are either still in Italy or no longer with us
flatlandsman said:
I would disagree with that, a Stratos is only not a fragile car when the might of Abarth and Lancia are building and servicing them.
This car is very rare and if original and therefore very rare, parts and spares are highly likely to be fabricated, therefore perhaps stronger, or weaker than original parts. Combine all that and you into areas of the unknown on such a tough event.
Nobody really makes parts for a Stratos so the team were relying on their own nous to keep the thing in the rally, that they did it with such aplomb is a huge compliment to the team running the car, forgive the lack of recall.
It is a lot easier with an Escort, lots of people build them, to newer spec, there is decades of experience, I doubt anyone in that event has ANY experience of running a Stratos on a forest rally, they are either still in Italy or no longer with us
Agreed and back in the day the Stratos was far more successful on tarmac events than the RAC, where they frequently Didn’t make it. The British Forests are much tougher on the cars than the ones on the continent.This car is very rare and if original and therefore very rare, parts and spares are highly likely to be fabricated, therefore perhaps stronger, or weaker than original parts. Combine all that and you into areas of the unknown on such a tough event.
Nobody really makes parts for a Stratos so the team were relying on their own nous to keep the thing in the rally, that they did it with such aplomb is a huge compliment to the team running the car, forgive the lack of recall.
It is a lot easier with an Escort, lots of people build them, to newer spec, there is decades of experience, I doubt anyone in that event has ANY experience of running a Stratos on a forest rally, they are either still in Italy or no longer with us
It was a hell of an achievement to get it so close, pretty sure they haven’t managed it before on the Roger Albert, though may be wrong.
Well I applaud them for it - what a wonderful spectacle it was, particularly driven with such aplomb.
I love a Mk2 Escort, but more Manta's, Lotus Sunbeams, Fiat 131's, TR7V8's, 911's, Celica's et al would add to the colour of what was a wonderful event. I'm more of a circuit racing chap but I always liked rallying back in the day and this has really reawakened my enthusiasm - have been looking at 'scorts and 6R4's all week!
I love a Mk2 Escort, but more Manta's, Lotus Sunbeams, Fiat 131's, TR7V8's, 911's, Celica's et al would add to the colour of what was a wonderful event. I'm more of a circuit racing chap but I always liked rallying back in the day and this has really reawakened my enthusiasm - have been looking at 'scorts and 6R4's all week!
I am absolutely knackered now. What an event to do, and by far the biggest sporting challenge I've faced. More variety of cars would be good (says me who was co-driving in an escort...). Finished 8th, even after 10 minutes in a Kershope ditch! At times I was absolutely loving it, at other times absolutely hating it. Definite type 2 fun.
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