My first ever rally experience..

[Li Moo Bai]

This friday at Brands, a birthday pressie from the missus



Any one done one of these? What should I try to get out of it as a total novice?

I am familiar with the general techniques involved but looking for some good general advice so I don't end up rolling it or putting it in a ditch

Cheers

[jacobyte]

Congrats, you lucky thing.

Simple advice: Do everything the instructor says. You don't know better, even if you think you might do. You will have much more fun and go faster if you listen and learn.

Interestingly, girls usually do better than men at these kinds of events because they listen (mind you, it's the only time they do listen to a bloke ).

Enjoy!

[Li Moo Bai]

Totally. I know nothing except basic principles of it all. Can't effin wait though. Even if the whole thing should only last 1.5hrs

[stockhatcher]

and the total amount of driving time will be about 20mins...

[Pork_n_Beem]

Try to get the instructor to match your learning style. I cannot cope with someone yelling at me and grabbing the controls so agree beforehand how instruction will be given. i find it best to have a de-brief after driving - then go out again to try.

Rallying is about confidence the car will do what the instructor says it will, so keep your foot down, power is grip, pull the handbrake hard, dont pussyfoot around with it and oh don't try to brake too hard you will just go straight on.

Apart from that.... yeeehaaaa

[hawk 427]

done one last year at the chris birbeck rally school it was basically learning how to steer the car using the handbrake aswell as the wheel. not as easy as you think had a really good day though let us know how you get on

[Li Moo Bai]

hawk 427 said:

done one last year at the chris birbeck rally school it was basically learning how to steer the car using the handbrake aswell as the wheel. not as easy as you think had a really good day though let us know how you get on

Yes! I think in the brochure it mentions handbrake turns

Will report back friday night with a full report and hopefully some pics if the missus pulls her finger oot.

[hawk 427]

when i went the missus had to stand on a hill watching in the pouring rain great for sliding the car but no good for her hair bless her, incidentally she paid for mine bet she wish she hadnt bothered

[BigMansZetec]

I did a half day experience last year with 'Extreme Rally' (who were excellent).
Should have had 4 to a car, but someone from mine didnt turn up, so the rest of us got an extra 5 minutes in each of the 3 sessions, which was good. So got about an hour behind the wheel in total.

First session was handbrake turns, second was powerslides, and the final one was putting it all into practice at higher speed. Then there was a ride at the end with the instructor which was great.

I'm sure you will have a great day, enjoy!

[Li Moo Bai]

Wow that WAS a LOT of FUN!

Even though I managed to overcook it several times and spin the damn thing I still got a lot out ouf it and by the end of the session I think I was putting in some respectable laps

Hats off the the guys for being so patient with newbies like myself!

Also managed to catch a load of souped up beatles going for it on the circuit before the briefing which was really cool!

Just need to save up for another go now..

[nowt]

The last time I did one, I set off late, and was pushing on to get there in time, only to get the BIB stopping me, saying you were doing 104 in a 70, where are you going........... Urmmmmmmm, visiting relatives.

Got 3 points, so the guys at the rally day added them to my day's score and I won the top prize.!!!!!!!

Glad you enjoyed your day. I'm saving for a F1 drive, although theres still a long way to go.!!

[RobM77]

Li Moo Bai said:

Also managed to catch a load of souped up beatles going for it on the circuit before the briefing which was really cool!

They were VW Funcup cars - so spaceframe mid engined racing cars with a lookalike Beetle body

Did you see a yellow and blue Caterham charging round?

[Li Moo Bai]

RobM77 said:

Li Moo Bai said:

Also managed to catch a load of souped up beatles going for it on the circuit before the briefing which was really cool!

They were VW Funcup cars - so spaceframe mid engined racing cars with a lookalike Beetle body

Did you see a yellow and blue Caterham charging round?

Ahh thought they handled a bit too well

Yes I did see the caterham i think - take it that was you then you lucky deevil

[RobM77]

Li Moo Bai said:

RobM77 said:

Li Moo Bai said:

Also managed to catch a load of souped up beatles going for it on the circuit before the briefing which was really cool!

They were VW Funcup cars - so spaceframe mid engined racing cars with a lookalike Beetle body

Did you see a yellow and blue Caterham charging round?

Ahh thought they handled a bit too well

Yes I did see the caterham i think - take it that was you then you lucky deevil

Yes, that would be me . It's my new toy, but only the third time I've driven it as it's been handling like an absolute pig. I've had a full setup done now and it handles beautifully

I was around you guys a fair bit actually. Using the toilet in your briefing building and spectating at Paddock It looks like a good setup there at Brands - would you reccomend it? I've never tried rallying and would love to give it a go.

[Li Moo Bai]

RobM77 said:

Li Moo Bai said:

RobM77 said:

Li Moo Bai said:

Also managed to catch a load of souped up beatles going for it on the circuit before the briefing which was really cool!

They were VW Funcup cars - so spaceframe mid engined racing cars with a lookalike Beetle body

Did you see a yellow and blue Caterham charging round?

Ahh thought they handled a bit too well

Yes I did see the caterham i think - take it that was you then you lucky deevil

Yes, that would be me . It's my new toy, but only the third time I've driven it as it's been handling like an absolute pig. I've had a full setup done now and it handles beautifully

I was around you guys a fair bit actually. Using the toilet in your briefing building and spectating at Paddock It looks like a good setup there at Brands - would you reccomend it? I've never tried rallying and would love to give it a go.

Yes I would recommend it but maybe worth practising use of the handbrake before you go As someone who has never been a boy racer i had a wee bit of a learning curve with it (and my car is RWD anyway).

To their credit they obviously try to maximise the time you get behind the wheel too, which is why you go there after all

It is funny because although i kinda understood the basic principles beforehand i still made some schoolboy errors at first my instinct was to turn in to fight the slide but ofcourse you have to let go of all that and use the hanbrake with some gusto!

I know what you mean about setup - my 944 is i think in need of a decent 4-wheel alignment and some nice new boots.