The 2017 Rallying thread
Discussion
On the Wyedean last year there was no real restrictions on where we watched from, as long as it wasn't anything ridiculous, like 2 feet from the edge of the stage or the outside of a bend.
On Rally Gb I thought the marshals were all spot on and again there was no problem with watching from outside spectator areas, as long as you were in a safe place before the FIA Safety crews came through.
At the Tour of Epynt and Mini Epynt stages you were free to take a walk, again as long as you were sensible and not moving around at stupid times.
I also had no problems on the Severn Valley stages.
The only rally with restrictions I have been to this year has been the Somerset Stages, but if you see how tight the access roads are and how narrow minded some of the locals can be, you can understand why.
On Rally Gb I thought the marshals were all spot on and again there was no problem with watching from outside spectator areas, as long as you were in a safe place before the FIA Safety crews came through.
At the Tour of Epynt and Mini Epynt stages you were free to take a walk, again as long as you were sensible and not moving around at stupid times.
I also had no problems on the Severn Valley stages.
The only rally with restrictions I have been to this year has been the Somerset Stages, but if you see how tight the access roads are and how narrow minded some of the locals can be, you can understand why.
YorkshirePudding said:
giveitfish said:
So, Roger Albert is the next big one. Anyone going?
Thought about it, but don't fancy the 7 hours of driving needed to get to and from the stages Sat. The Rally of The Tests will be heading through very close to me Fri, so will head out to have my motorsport fix with them instead.
They're also at Harewood Hillclimb on Sun pm as well, but can't make it.
https://heroevents.eu/event-type/rac-rally-of-the-...
K50 DEL said:
This sadly also has an effect on competitors at a lower level... without Dads taking sons into the forests at a young age, less and less youngsters are being bitten by the rallying bug, so grass roots stuff is struggling for entries
And in a few years, if rallying still exists, it'll be struggling for marshals and organisers too (even more so than now).I've seen a lot of anti-spectator stuff posted on such as the British Rally forum. I'm pretty sure the majority of current competitors, marshals and organisers got into the sport through spectating. Where will the next generation come from if spectators are made to feel so unwanted now?
It's the RAC this weekend, an event that was the highlight of my year right up until it last ran. I couldn't even tell you the route this year, I have zero interest in it. All of the group of people I used to go to the event with feel the same. We're all doing other stuff (including some other motorsport) this weekend instead. The "all spectators are idiots" attitude has pretty much ended the enjoyment we derived from stage rallying.
K50 DEL said:
This sadly also has an effect on competitors at a lower level... without Dads taking sons into the forests at a young age, less and less youngsters are being bitten by the rallying bug, so grass roots stuff is struggling for entries - 12 years ago the Road Rallies I used to compete on were always full with waiting lists, this year's Barbara Carter (one of the oldest, best run) is touch and go if it'll even run due to competitor apathy......... the blame for this rests squarely with the MSA and their incessant rules and regulations driving up the cost of competing.
Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now, I just hate what is being done to the only sport I've ever really got involved with.
I'm not sure regarding that last statement, I don't think you can lay the blame entirely on the MSA, there are simply too many other things for kids to do these days, even such factors as the increasing influence females have on pastimes ( lets go shopping!!) take their toll. Regarding Road Rallies, MSA have pretty much left them alone for years, the rules are still virtually the same as they were after the big shake up in the mid eighties. I accept the MSA don't promote them, in fact they are almost ashamed of them, but they still issue the permits and still seem to turn a blind eye to whats really going on. Road Rallying is probably still the best kept secret in British Motor Sport.Anyway, I'll get off my soapbox now, I just hate what is being done to the only sport I've ever really got involved with.
http://racrally.org/roger-albert-clark-rally/index
As previously mentioned; venues, car parks, etc
Over 300 Stage miles - the longest event in the UK since the 1995 Network Q RAC Rally.
As previously mentioned; venues, car parks, etc
Over 300 Stage miles - the longest event in the UK since the 1995 Network Q RAC Rally.
I am going to the RAC on Friday, Shelsley for a bit, then on to Radnor.
And I am hoping that in the night we might be able to make some headway into the stage.
It seems I am not alone in my feelings here, I have elements of sympathy with organisers and the governing body, but to basically steer rallying down a path it can never escape from is pretty unfair. I think Wales as always is the last bastion, for those of that do not live near enough, we can only dream of some of the events mentioned by previous posters, that never happens on events much on the mainland.
I watched some footage of the Oulton Park rally at the weekend, just endless chicanes, I know why they were there, but for goodness sake, what is the challenge in that, the track and the terrain should be the main challenge, not trying to negotiate 15 chicanes per stage.
It makes rallying a hard sell to anyone really when that happens. I know it is linked to safety and average speeds and joining but these circuit events really do push the boundaries of what is a rally and a sort of slalom event like they have in Europe lol!
And I am hoping that in the night we might be able to make some headway into the stage.
It seems I am not alone in my feelings here, I have elements of sympathy with organisers and the governing body, but to basically steer rallying down a path it can never escape from is pretty unfair. I think Wales as always is the last bastion, for those of that do not live near enough, we can only dream of some of the events mentioned by previous posters, that never happens on events much on the mainland.
I watched some footage of the Oulton Park rally at the weekend, just endless chicanes, I know why they were there, but for goodness sake, what is the challenge in that, the track and the terrain should be the main challenge, not trying to negotiate 15 chicanes per stage.
It makes rallying a hard sell to anyone really when that happens. I know it is linked to safety and average speeds and joining but these circuit events really do push the boundaries of what is a rally and a sort of slalom event like they have in Europe lol!
velocemitch said:
Yep we will be going through your backyard on Friday Jez.
Good luck, might see you at the time control at The Turn Pike, if not I'll be up on Widdop Moor.Seeing as you'll be passing so close it would be a shame if the organisers don't send you on a lap of Ripponden maze on C.A.R route instructions,
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.6853459,-1.94520...
Might have to have a wander up and see who's been PR'd,
Sadly missing the RAC on Epynt now as work commitments have changed 
Lots of MSA bashing over the last few pages, and whilst not their biggest fans through personal dealing with them and their minions out on stages, they are a necessary evil. being run poorly and not pro actively in my eyes, but unless someone wants to go in all guns blazing to shake things up within the hierarchy then it'll continue.
I did 2 days as radio car on WRGB this year, and hearing the advance expected numbers I was expecting a long and difficult 2 days, and not just because of the bloody idiotic schedule for Saturday (I'll get back to that). Delighted to say that the locations I was in attendance went without a hitch! as did the rest of the event from speaking with other marshals, except for Ms Mouton having a hissy fit over something in Dyfi that was closer to begin cancelled than anyone actually realised!
Even had time to get a brief PH meeting together with Ally at Elfyn's Corner car park
Something needs to be looked at on the itinerary fro GB next year if they want night stages. having Dyfnant as the second and then last stage on Saturday was absolutely shambolic! I asked the question of why the first run of Dyfnant couldn't have been run before they went to Chumly castle and got batted away with TV requirements when you put TV before the safety and interests of the teams charged with manning the stages for a safe event then you've f
ked up imho.
we were on a spectator area that was busy all day so the chance to get 40 winks between runs was limited, especially for me in radio car as the chatter was cosntant and you never knew when you'd be called so couldn't switch off completely.
But. all that aside, I had a hell of a time and the new cars are bonkers fast and noisy! And got to love the home win for Elfyn.
Gonna address my views on a few things you've said Chunder
firstly because the wristband will get passed to any tom dick or harry when you cant make the event, but you've paid for a season pass, so your mate who likes cars and said he fancied going to watch the rally, but doesn't want to pay the entry fee could use it instead. that mate gets in a wrong section, accident ensues and the ambulance chasers tell him hes got a claim because the single venue failed to confirm the identity of the wristband holder, who is insisting its his and not borrowed off you, then when it eventually comes out that it is your wrist band, you are sued by the club and venue for invalidating your claims and they want costs recouped from the pay out your mate is going to get. and round and round the sue train goes!
Any event held on MOD land can be stipulated as non spectator, imagine the hassle that would throw up if Epynt's chief decided it was spectator free. there's already sections up there deemed speccy free but they still get there and are usually smart about it, so we ignore it. any event in Caerwent is designated speccy free but they have a pen for "service and family viewing". some of these national boys have more service crew than an entire WRC team it seems!
this one is my fave tho! made my night this comment
Lots of MSA bashing over the last few pages, and whilst not their biggest fans through personal dealing with them and their minions out on stages, they are a necessary evil. being run poorly and not pro actively in my eyes, but unless someone wants to go in all guns blazing to shake things up within the hierarchy then it'll continue.
I did 2 days as radio car on WRGB this year, and hearing the advance expected numbers I was expecting a long and difficult 2 days, and not just because of the bloody idiotic schedule for Saturday (I'll get back to that). Delighted to say that the locations I was in attendance went without a hitch! as did the rest of the event from speaking with other marshals, except for Ms Mouton having a hissy fit over something in Dyfi that was closer to begin cancelled than anyone actually realised!
Even had time to get a brief PH meeting together with Ally at Elfyn's Corner car park
Something needs to be looked at on the itinerary fro GB next year if they want night stages. having Dyfnant as the second and then last stage on Saturday was absolutely shambolic! I asked the question of why the first run of Dyfnant couldn't have been run before they went to Chumly castle and got batted away with TV requirements
when you put TV before the safety and interests of the teams charged with manning the stages for a safe event then you've fked up imho.we were on a spectator area that was busy all day so the chance to get 40 winks between runs was limited, especially for me in radio car as the chatter was cosntant and you never knew when you'd be called so couldn't switch off completely.
But. all that aside, I had a hell of a time and the new cars are bonkers fast and noisy! And got to love the home win for Elfyn.
Gonna address my views on a few things you've said Chunder
chunder27 said:
Single venues are usually on private land, old airfields or little used ones. Why could there not be a wristband system used that you have to pay fr, say 50 quid a year that covers you to enter any single venue event other than highly restricted ones. You waiver any insurance and go on a course or watch a vid or something to get the clubs out of you not being aware of anything. That way, you get to go to events still instead of being penned into useless viewing areas, they get out of having worry about you being there, maybe you sign in or something? Theclub is not responsible., anyone else there is tresspassing and they are not liable as they were not signed in.
daft idea and will never work this wristband malarkey.firstly because the wristband will get passed to any tom dick or harry when you cant make the event, but you've paid for a season pass, so your mate who likes cars and said he fancied going to watch the rally, but doesn't want to pay the entry fee could use it instead. that mate gets in a wrong section, accident ensues and the ambulance chasers tell him hes got a claim because the single venue failed to confirm the identity of the wristband holder, who is insisting its his and not borrowed off you, then when it eventually comes out that it is your wrist band, you are sued by the club and venue for invalidating your claims and they want costs recouped from the pay out your mate is going to get. and round and round the sue train goes!
Any event held on MOD land can be stipulated as non spectator, imagine the hassle that would throw up if Epynt's chief decided it was spectator free. there's already sections up there deemed speccy free but they still get there and are usually smart about it, so we ignore it. any event in Caerwent is designated speccy free but they have a pen for "service and family viewing". some of these national boys have more service crew than an entire WRC team it seems!
this one is my fave tho! made my night this comment
chunder27 said:
Welsh events only attract hardy fans usually, so you can expect only people who know what they are doing.
chunder27 said:
I am going to the RAC on Friday, Shelsley for a bit, then on to Radnor.
Hoping to do the same, any idea of spectator numbers ? Will parking at Shelsley and Radnor be difficult ?lucido grigio said:
If everything goes well ,I will be going to Radnor forest on Friday ,maybe try to get down to Epynt too.
Looked at the entry ,50% are Escorts but a few other interesting cars ,the Stratos ,6 SAABs ,an M3 ,shame no Fiat 131
Abarths.
Would you have a link to the entry list please ?Looked at the entry ,50% are Escorts but a few other interesting cars ,the Stratos ,6 SAABs ,an M3 ,shame no Fiat 131
Abarths.
Ryan
Being honest that was an idea that came into my head after typing that reply, so was not that thought out, but surely there could be the germ of an idea, all you need is a photo attached and a signature, it is not that much of a leap of faith to see how some sort of ID card could be used. and it might also help wht preventing unwanted noobs attending as you would not be allowed anywhere near without one. You are always going to get chancers who try and get in, but I think enough is now done to prevent that happening too much in venue events.
People also seem to forget the role fans can play in rally safety. Marshals can be good and bad, can be shouty and hideous and thoroughly decent people. And fans the same, you get idiots and decent speccys.. I could tell you lots of times I have seen marshals doing stuff just as daft as a spectator has.
But some of the fans are just as if not more knowledgeable, understand the risks, will flag crews down near accidents, run to posts to inform, help in assisting crews back into events, will also shout at stupid spectators aswell. I have done all of these things.
Being honest that was an idea that came into my head after typing that reply, so was not that thought out, but surely there could be the germ of an idea, all you need is a photo attached and a signature, it is not that much of a leap of faith to see how some sort of ID card could be used. and it might also help wht preventing unwanted noobs attending as you would not be allowed anywhere near without one. You are always going to get chancers who try and get in, but I think enough is now done to prevent that happening too much in venue events.
People also seem to forget the role fans can play in rally safety. Marshals can be good and bad, can be shouty and hideous and thoroughly decent people. And fans the same, you get idiots and decent speccys.. I could tell you lots of times I have seen marshals doing stuff just as daft as a spectator has.
But some of the fans are just as if not more knowledgeable, understand the risks, will flag crews down near accidents, run to posts to inform, help in assisting crews back into events, will also shout at stupid spectators aswell. I have done all of these things.
Off to the RAC on Saturday. Anyone been to the Kielder stages before that can offer any recommendations?
Currently thinking of catching Sheperdshield 1 first thing, Whitehall 2 after lunch then Harwood over at Otterburn in the evening.
I assume I'm best off these days just using the official entrance areas and viewing areas?
Currently thinking of catching Sheperdshield 1 first thing, Whitehall 2 after lunch then Harwood over at Otterburn in the evening.
I assume I'm best off these days just using the official entrance areas and viewing areas?
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