How can I watch up close gravel rallying in the UK?
Discussion
Big car enthusiast but I haven’t really been following motorsport at all.
I’d like to take my 5 year old to watch a gravel rally up close.
I recall 30 years ago spectators could just show up along the rally course and watch the spectacular jumps etc up very close. I assume things have changed though.
I’m also a bit confused about the multitude of different events. We’re in the south east so ideally we’d go to one that isn’t very far from here.
Where do I start?
I’d like to take my 5 year old to watch a gravel rally up close.
I recall 30 years ago spectators could just show up along the rally course and watch the spectacular jumps etc up very close. I assume things have changed though.
I’m also a bit confused about the multitude of different events. We’re in the south east so ideally we’d go to one that isn’t very far from here.
Where do I start?
Unfortunately 'gravel' will be an issue in the South East. Others may come along who are closer to the sport than me now and advise but I don't think there are any gravel events in the South East now.
If the IOW works for you then there is this (more loose surface than traditional gravel) https://iowcc.co.uk/rally/
Otherwise it's closed roads at Clacton although you have missed it for this year. https://corbeauseatsrally.co.uk/ very spectator friendly, limitations on where you can stand but things like multiple passes and PA systems/toilets
If the IOW works for you then there is this (more loose surface than traditional gravel) https://iowcc.co.uk/rally/
Otherwise it's closed roads at Clacton although you have missed it for this year. https://corbeauseatsrally.co.uk/ very spectator friendly, limitations on where you can stand but things like multiple passes and PA systems/toilets
Does it specifically have to be rallying or just cars that look and sound similar?
You’ve just missed it but the British rallycross at Lydden is about as close as you’ll get to the sights and sounds on gravel in the south east.
For tarmac rallying there’s the Brands Hatch winter stages and also the Tendring Rally near Clacton.
Also look at the club events being run by the Chelmsford Motor Club.
For even closer action where there’s only a flimsy tape between you and the action and you’ll be picking mud from your smile then get along to a motocross event at somewhere like Wakes Colne.
You’ve just missed it but the British rallycross at Lydden is about as close as you’ll get to the sights and sounds on gravel in the south east.
For tarmac rallying there’s the Brands Hatch winter stages and also the Tendring Rally near Clacton.
Also look at the club events being run by the Chelmsford Motor Club.
For even closer action where there’s only a flimsy tape between you and the action and you’ll be picking mud from your smile then get along to a motocross event at somewhere like Wakes Colne.
Edited by smokey mow on Tuesday 25th July 14:24
Edited by smokey mow on Tuesday 25th July 14:24
smokey mow said:
Does it specifically have to be rallying or just cars that look and sound similar?
Something similar will do. Lydden is a good shout - I’ve done a trackday there once. I assume we won’t see jumps there but it’s in Kent so quite close to us. I’ll check out the other ones now.Ideally we’d like to see cars take off / big jumps, handbrake turns, and be close to the action. That at least is what I think will be exciting for both myself and my son.
pmn3 said:
So naive question perhaps but Wales Rally WRC is no longer a thing, and won’t be in 2024 either, as I understand. We’ll go to see one of the events that have been recommended on here but what’s the closest to WRC that we could think of going in the future, without leaving the UK?
Wales Rally WRC is gone but last year there was a rally in the same location at about the same time of year not sure what it is but someone here will know. I know it happened as they drive past my house.Maybe this https://wnrc.wamc.org.uk/events-calendar end of October.
pmn3 said:
So naive question perhaps but Wales Rally WRC is no longer a thing, and won’t be in 2024 either, as I understand. We’ll go to see one of the events that have been recommended on here but what’s the closest to WRC that we could think of going in the future, without leaving the UK?
In terms of spec of cars it would be the British Rally Championship. Certain posters will be along at some point to tell you it's all rubbish but that doesn't help someone who actively wants to watch rallies2023 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship Calendar
Round 1 – Malcolm Wilson Rally – Cockermouth – 11 March
Round 2 – Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally – Duns – 26/27 May
Round 3 – Ardeca Ypres Rally – Ypres, Belgium – 23/24 June
Round 4 – Modern Tyres Ulster Rally – Newry – 18/19 August
Round 5 – Get Connected Rali Ceredigion – Aberystwyth – 2/3 September
Round 6 – Trackrod Rally Yorkshire – Filey – 22/23 September
Round 7 – Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally – Llandudno – 27/28 October
LastPoster said:
In terms of spec of cars it would be the British Rally Championship. Certain posters will be along at some point to tell you it's all rubbish but that doesn't help someone who actively wants to watch rallies
2023 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship Calendar
Round 1 – Malcolm Wilson Rally – Cockermouth – 11 March
Round 2 – Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally – Duns – 26/27 May
Round 3 – Ardeca Ypres Rally – Ypres, Belgium – 23/24 June
Round 4 – Modern Tyres Ulster Rally – Newry – 18/19 August
Round 5 – Get Connected Rali Ceredigion – Aberystwyth – 2/3 September
Round 6 – Trackrod Rally Yorkshire – Filey – 22/23 September
Round 7 – Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally – Llandudno – 27/28 October
Ironically the rally closest to SE England on that list ,is in Belgium ....2023 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship Calendar
Round 1 – Malcolm Wilson Rally – Cockermouth – 11 March
Round 2 – Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally – Duns – 26/27 May
Round 3 – Ardeca Ypres Rally – Ypres, Belgium – 23/24 June
Round 4 – Modern Tyres Ulster Rally – Newry – 18/19 August
Round 5 – Get Connected Rali Ceredigion – Aberystwyth – 2/3 September
Round 6 – Trackrod Rally Yorkshire – Filey – 22/23 September
Round 7 – Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally – Llandudno – 27/28 October
The Roger Albert Clark Rally runs in November bit I don't know if the stages will be near enough.
Over 150 entries and all classic two wheel drive care Escorts etc etc
www.rogeralbertclarkrally.co.uk
check it out , it may be worth travelling for .
Over 150 entries and all classic two wheel drive care Escorts etc etc
www.rogeralbertclarkrally.co.uk
check it out , it may be worth travelling for .
Finale said:
LastPoster said:
In terms of spec of cars it would be the British Rally Championship. Certain posters will be along at some point to tell you it's all rubbish but that doesn't help someone who actively wants to watch rallies
2023 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship Calendar
Round 1 – Malcolm Wilson Rally – Cockermouth – 11 March
Round 2 – Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally – Duns – 26/27 May
Round 3 – Ardeca Ypres Rally – Ypres, Belgium – 23/24 June
Round 4 – Modern Tyres Ulster Rally – Newry – 18/19 August
Round 5 – Get Connected Rali Ceredigion – Aberystwyth – 2/3 September
Round 6 – Trackrod Rally Yorkshire – Filey – 22/23 September
Round 7 – Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally – Llandudno – 27/28 October
Ironically the rally closest to SE England on that list ,is in Belgium ....2023 Motorsport UK British Rally Championship Calendar
Round 1 – Malcolm Wilson Rally – Cockermouth – 11 March
Round 2 – Beatson’s Building Supplies Jim Clark Rally – Duns – 26/27 May
Round 3 – Ardeca Ypres Rally – Ypres, Belgium – 23/24 June
Round 4 – Modern Tyres Ulster Rally – Newry – 18/19 August
Round 5 – Get Connected Rali Ceredigion – Aberystwyth – 2/3 September
Round 6 – Trackrod Rally Yorkshire – Filey – 22/23 September
Round 7 – Visit Conwy Cambrian Rally – Llandudno – 27/28 October
pmn3 said:
smokey mow said:
Does it specifically have to be rallying or just cars that look and sound similar?
Something similar will do. Lydden is a good shout - I’ve done a trackday there once. I assume we won’t see jumps there but it’s in Kent so quite close to us. I’ll check out the other ones now.Ideally we’d like to see cars take off / big jumps, handbrake turns, and be close to the action. That at least is what I think will be exciting for both myself and my son.
Watch this and see what you think.
https://www.redbull.com/nz-en/videos/fia-world-ral...
ArnageWRC said:
The South East isn't exactly blessed for gravel events; if there was a time machine you'd have the London International Rally, the Rally of Kent, and slightly further, the Rallye Sunseeker in the New Forest/ Bournemouth/Ringwood.
I was about to say I saw the Sunseeker event in Ringwood/Verwood forest about 8 or so years ago, it was bluddy brilliant! Its a week late but Goodwood had a rally event at the top section when I used to go.
LastPoster said:
If the IOW works for you then there is this (more loose surface than traditional gravel) https://iowcc.co.uk/rally/
Otherwise it's closed roads at Clacton although you have missed it for this year. https://corbeauseatsrally.co.uk/ very spectator friendly, limitations on where you can stand but things like multiple passes and PA systems/toilets
Isle of Wight is 30th Sept/1st Oct, start is going to be town centre start - so you'll be able to get very close to the cars then. The event is a mix of farm tracks and some forest. If our shakedown at Fulbeck next weekend goes well we're hoping to enter it. As a crew we are split Kent/Lincolnshire - so try and find events where we have a North/South split. Otherwise it's closed roads at Clacton although you have missed it for this year. https://corbeauseatsrally.co.uk/ very spectator friendly, limitations on where you can stand but things like multiple passes and PA systems/toilets
After the IOW event, Brands Hatch is January & Clacton is April - both tarmac but with a good mix of cars to watch. Don't forget another great way to close to the cars is join your local motor club and then go out marshalling with them.
RallyGB is a bit up in the air at the moment - they are trying to get the event back on the WRC calendar, with Northern Ireland mentioned as a location, likely for 1-2 years. However funding is the main issue. Lots of people want it to happen, but just not enough cash kicking about and sadly Motorsport UK aren't willing to put much into it. They keep delaying the deadline for the commitment......not looking good but you never know.
If you're in the south-east it's not the easiest as the majority of gravel events will be a fair distance away.
Thinking ahead to what is coming up in the second half of the year then you have the Woodpecker based out of Ludlow but with most stages a further 30 miles north of there in early September. It will have a mix of current spec machinery and older cars. The Roger Albert Clark in November is almost all historic cars, big big event, the Thursday and Friday is in mid Wales before the event moves up to Kielder/Dumfriesshire for the Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
Thinking ahead to what is coming up in the second half of the year then you have the Woodpecker based out of Ludlow but with most stages a further 30 miles north of there in early September. It will have a mix of current spec machinery and older cars. The Roger Albert Clark in November is almost all historic cars, big big event, the Thursday and Friday is in mid Wales before the event moves up to Kielder/Dumfriesshire for the Saturday, Sunday, Monday.
To the op,
A real gravel rally in the north of Britain is worth putting the effort in to see. I went to many rallies from 1984 to 1990 when I lived in Norfolk and then North Yorkshire (in the RAF) and it was always worth the time and money. Me and a mate shared the driving and slept in the car, great fun. I’m too old for that now, and would book a cheap room for the night.
Insider knowledge is the big thing. You need to know where the ‘yumps’ are, for example, and where to park/access the forest. We even had a key for the forestry commission padlocks! Be prepared for rain.
Prior preparation prevents…. etc. So I’d choose a rally, find out as much as I can about accessibility and viewing points, book a night’s accommodation, and just look forward to it.
Just as an example, on one weekend I did: the 1985 Lindisfarne Rally (RS200’s first outing, Pond in the 6R4 too) a road rally in Cumbria (John Brown?) and a single venue stage rally at the Peterborough Showground on the Sunday while going back to Marham! #singlelife lol
A real gravel rally in the north of Britain is worth putting the effort in to see. I went to many rallies from 1984 to 1990 when I lived in Norfolk and then North Yorkshire (in the RAF) and it was always worth the time and money. Me and a mate shared the driving and slept in the car, great fun. I’m too old for that now, and would book a cheap room for the night.
Insider knowledge is the big thing. You need to know where the ‘yumps’ are, for example, and where to park/access the forest. We even had a key for the forestry commission padlocks! Be prepared for rain.
Prior preparation prevents…. etc. So I’d choose a rally, find out as much as I can about accessibility and viewing points, book a night’s accommodation, and just look forward to it.
Just as an example, on one weekend I did: the 1985 Lindisfarne Rally (RS200’s first outing, Pond in the 6R4 too) a road rally in Cumbria (John Brown?) and a single venue stage rally at the Peterborough Showground on the Sunday while going back to Marham! #singlelife lol
Go find a local comp safari through the AWDC/NORC/S&S or similar, where you can stand right at the side of the course, where you like, wander around the pits and probably sit the kid in a few of the cars for photos if you ask nice.
It's not a rally but there'll be some fast cars and some jumps.
It's not a rally but there'll be some fast cars and some jumps.
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