RE: Rally Charge
Wednesday 6th March 2002
Rally Charge
Spectator facilities reviewed for Rally of Great Britain
Discussion
I don't mind paying a bit for parking or a bit of cash for the marshalls efforts but what I love about rallying is the freedom of movement and te feel of being within touching distance of the cars. I think this could be taken away.
It is the 'lack of common sense' muppets that are going to ruin it for the rest of us, eg: 2001 Scottish Rally, Ae forrest - a Sierra Cossie loses the rear bumper avoiding muppets wandering on the track during the stage in progress. How bad could that have been?
It is the 'lack of common sense' muppets that are going to ruin it for the rest of us, eg: 2001 Scottish Rally, Ae forrest - a Sierra Cossie loses the rear bumper avoiding muppets wandering on the track during the stage in progress. How bad could that have been?
I used to follow the RAC rally in the late 80’s early 90’s when it was about a fiver per car per stage (if I remember rightly).
A mate and I would hire a car for the week, and thrash the nuts off it following the lead 20 odd cars from stage to stage (obviously skipping 2-3 stages to allow for parking and walking through the forest).
I think a lot of people do this, and I have great memories of not just the rally but the experience of driving and navigating to stages through great countryside (at speed
), and still chuckle at the thought of the steaming hulks that were the remnants of the hire cars... God knows how we ever got the deposits back 
.
At 10quid per stage per person....
…nah I'll watch the crap, sporadic, unlisted, coverage on telly.
A mate and I would hire a car for the week, and thrash the nuts off it following the lead 20 odd cars from stage to stage (obviously skipping 2-3 stages to allow for parking and walking through the forest).
I think a lot of people do this, and I have great memories of not just the rally but the experience of driving and navigating to stages through great countryside (at speed
), and still chuckle at the thought of the steaming hulks that were the remnants of the hire cars... God knows how we ever got the deposits back . At 10quid per stage per person....
…nah I'll watch the crap, sporadic, unlisted, coverage on telly.
I have been a regular rally spectator for the past 16 years and although I agree with the need to improve spectator safety I disagree with the suggested fee of £10 per head, to be huddled together with every other spectator. I video most rallies that I go to and have been known to walk several miles to get that perfect shot. I have also travelled the length and breadth of the country spectating on rallies that I have been free to spectate where I like (within reason and with the direction of the marshals of course). Over the last few years stage charges have escalated, some to the point where I no longer travel to the rallies due to cost, choosing to attend only local events. So with the introduction of limited spectator areas and the prospect of videoing the back of someones head as a bonus I can see myself attending fewer rallies in the future. If everyone has the same view, where will the rallies be without spectators? - no sponsors willing to back the events or drivers due to poor value for money for their advertising.
For £15 pounds I can attend a 2 day meeting at a race circuit and see up to 10 races of F3 and GT, including qualifying. Now there's value for money.
Perhaps £10 per car would be much more acceptable. It would also mean less spectator cars on the main roads which would reduce the traffic congestion for locals.
A bit of common sense is all it takes.Time for the organisers to rethink before they kill the sport.
For £15 pounds I can attend a 2 day meeting at a race circuit and see up to 10 races of F3 and GT, including qualifying. Now there's value for money.
Perhaps £10 per car would be much more acceptable. It would also mean less spectator cars on the main roads which would reduce the traffic congestion for locals.
A bit of common sense is all it takes.Time for the organisers to rethink before they kill the sport.
I agree with all the previous posts. I have been following the "RAC" servicing, marshalling and spectating for over 25 years, with some planning and occasionally a copy of a roadbook you could go to the furthermost reaches of the forest for the best action. All the spectators here were enthusiasts who had put themselves out and made the effort to get where they were, there was seldom a problem, and on the odd occasion when some irresponsible (I don't think numpty was invented then)types were encountered then the marshals, encouraged by the spectators quickly restored order.
Nowadays under the banner of public safety vast bucks are to be made from official spectator stages,its now very difficult to get anywhere other than these. I personally stopped going when it shipped itself to Wales exclusively a few years ago.
As it used to be, there were spectator and secret stages and you had a choice, alas no more.
What do they say; All good things must come to an end. WHY?
Nowadays under the banner of public safety vast bucks are to be made from official spectator stages,its now very difficult to get anywhere other than these. I personally stopped going when it shipped itself to Wales exclusively a few years ago.
As it used to be, there were spectator and secret stages and you had a choice, alas no more.
What do they say; All good things must come to an end. WHY?
The point I was trying to make in my last post was that there is a choice. They can't put up a giant fence round a forrest to stop folk accessing it where they like.
The effort and rewards in hiking up the forrest roads is what I like and do.
However a hike through forrests (off roads and tracks)to get away from being a herded spectator is something I'd like to avoid.
The effort and rewards in hiking up the forrest roads is what I like and do.
However a hike through forrests (off roads and tracks)to get away from being a herded spectator is something I'd like to avoid.
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