Wales Rally GB: PH Guide
If you're joining us in Wales for the WRC next weekend here's everything you need to know!
You can hear the cars coming from miles away - the sound of a 300hp WRC car, the exhaust crackling through the trees followed by the shriek of a marshal's whistle and air horns as it get closer. The smell of the pine trees, bacon cooking on camping stoves, burning clutches, melting rubber and unburnt petrol - it really is something you'll never forget.
As we'll be in Llandudno next week for our inaugural Wales Rally GB Sunday Service, we've put together a beginner's guide to the rally to complement the Wales Rally GB guide. Essentially if you haven't been before, here's the guide you need for tips and advice to make the most of a great weekend!
Introduction
Preparation
Saturday
Sunday
I'd also make a torch an essential item realistically. if arriving for the first stages at 9am Friday, 7:30am Saturday and 8:30am Sunday it is going to be still quite dark. and when leaving the stages for the afternoon runs, it'll be dark by 5pmish. the light on your phone isn't adequate enough to spot all the dangers a forest floor will present.
A power bar will be a good idea to charge cameras/phones if your staying put during stages.
A small camping chair or stool will come in handy for the wait.
I really would recommend hanging about for the National crews. some of them are in it purely for the spectacle so will be "balls out" at every opportunity.
Plan your clothing and waterproofs, and then double it. there's nothing worse than sitting around all day in wet cold clothes.
And lastly. As a marshal for this event I cant stress enough the importance of listening to the marshals instructions. With the whole of British rallying under scrutiny at the moment there is a real risk to its continued future if people still conduct themselves as they did on stages earlier this year.
I'd also like to apologise in advance for any of you who encounter the jobs worth marshal, sadly not all of us are able to use some leniency. If they are instructed by their sector official that no one can move from the designated zones then they really will try and keep you there, despite you being in a safe area.
The problem of "once a year marshals" is still an issue to regulars, however with marshal numbers in decline we need them as a necessary evil to keep the event safely staffed.
Please also don't hate us because we allow the media to stand where we say you are not allowed too. they sign on to the event like marshals so do get more freedom to roam. But if the safety cars are all happy with where they are, even if it is in a prohibited location, then we cant do anything to move them. however they should still be conducting themselves safely while on stage, as they are being scrutinised too as some media personnel are contributing to the issues around British rallying.
If you do encounter media or marshals that are taking the piss with things then report it to a radio car, take a note of the media persons number, or a marshals name and report it to the radio car. They can be removed from the stage if required. (media personnel will all have white tabard with a florescent section with a number on, this is their media accreditation number)
Rally GB has been very busy the last few years which leads to a great atmosphere but also means that the "car parks" (actually the verges of narrow muddy forestry tracks) become chaotic in the last hour before a stage runs.
factor this into moving about for the day.
And as above poster, don't expect actual car parks (with the exception of parts of sweet lamb), its mainly single track forestry roads with cars on either side. which makes moving about difficult.
Also be aware of the local plod out with speed vans and radar guns when moving about the stages
But don't let any of that put you off, seeing any of the top 10 contenders attack a stage literally feet in front of you has to be one of the all-time great Motorsport experiences.
Last year there was a synchronised gasp from about 1,000 people when Latvala exploded out of the woods sideways onto the bit we could see. The speed was properly shocking, and I've been going for years!
But don't let any of that put you off, seeing any of the top 10 contenders attack a stage literally feet in front of you has to be one of the all-time great Motorsport experiences.
Last year there was a synchronised gasp from about 1,000 people when Latvala exploded out of the woods sideways onto the bit we could see. The speed was properly shocking, and I've been going for years!
Didn't mean it as a negative, more a forewarning. the sooner the planning is done the easier it is for moving about.
However how about the Friday stages?
Firstly if the carpark opens at 6am will I be fine if I get there around 8-8:30?
Secondly if I arrive at the carpark around then will that give me sufficient time to get in a decent spot for the first car at 11:53?
Thirdly is Dyfnant a decent stage for viewing? Could anyone recommend a decent spot?
Thanks in advance
Getting there for 8 will be ok for the stage running at late morning will be ok. Just expect a walk from the car and not to be straight out of the car to the stage. Expect densely populated areas of viewing too.
As a general rule if there's a bunch of media on a particular part then it should be a decent view. These guys are out to make money from their pics so know the best places to hunt out.
I can recommend the hairpin from car park j on Dyfnant. It's where I marshalled last year along with hundreds of spectators and just up from Irish corner. If you want a wild experience spectate with these guys. They really are bonkers!
The stage is run in reverse this year from last years route.
Google rally maps and check out their stage layout in googlemaps. Make a choice from there for where you think you'll get to from whichever car park you arrive at.
Here's a video I made of the hairpin last year, this year you'll see the car approach the other way and see them burst over a slight crest into the hairpin, before disappearing down a straight away from you to a 90right.
http://youtu.be/4Lsn0QNE69s
The plan is to find a good spot and just stay there for the second pass, seems pointless moving to another stage when it's so busy.
I will check out the rally maps, oh and liking the tip r.e media never really though of that.
Probably a silly question but Is it worth pre booking my tickets or just buy on the gate? Will it get me into the forest quicker ect?
I'd also make a torch an essential item realistically. if arriving for the first stages at 9am Friday, 7:30am Saturday and 8:30am Sunday it is going to be still quite dark. and when leaving the stages for the afternoon runs, it'll be dark by 5pmish. the light on your phone isn't adequate enough to spot all the dangers a forest floor will present.
A power bar will be a good idea to charge cameras/phones if your staying put during stages.
A small camping chair or stool will come in handy for the wait.
I really would recommend hanging about for the National crews. some of them are in it purely for the spectacle so will be "balls out" at every opportunity.
Plan your clothing and waterproofs, and then double it. there's nothing worse than sitting around all day in wet cold clothes.
And lastly. As a marshal for this event I cant stress enough the importance of listening to the marshals instructions. With the whole of British rallying under scrutiny at the moment there is a real risk to its continued future if people still conduct themselves as they did on stages earlier this year.
I'd also like to apologise in advance for any of you who encounter the jobs worth marshal, sadly not all of us are able to use some leniency. If they are instructed by their sector official that no one can move from the designated zones then they really will try and keep you there, despite you being in a safe area.
The problem of "once a year marshals" is still an issue to regulars, however with marshal numbers in decline we need them as a necessary evil to keep the event safely staffed.
Please also don't hate us because we allow the media to stand where we say you are not allowed too. they sign on to the event like marshals so do get more freedom to roam. But if the safety cars are all happy with where they are, even if it is in a prohibited location, then we cant do anything to move them. however they should still be conducting themselves safely while on stage, as they are being scrutinised too as some media personnel are contributing to the issues around British rallying.
If you do encounter media or marshals that are taking the piss with things then report it to a radio car, take a note of the media persons number, or a marshals name and report it to the radio car. They can be removed from the stage if required. (media personnel will all have white tabard with a florescent section with a number on, this is their media accreditation number)
I appreciate that there are "safe" spectator areas set up but obviously the whole of Hafren can't possibly have these set up. As you see on TV quite often there spectators literally all over the stage, whether it be 1's, 2's or whatever with, unfortunately, very little regard for their own safety!!! Are you free to roam into the Forest and deeper into the stage to pick your own viewing points??
I, sadly, will not be accompanying any of you to the forests of Wales, as I did my RAC Rally following back in the good old days of the 70s and 80s. Chasing around Scotland, Wales and England for 4 days or so were fantastic times. We got soaked, cold and worn out - but wouldn't have missed any of it for anything. I also got myself a job building rally cars for the likes of Tim Brise, John Weatherley and John Taylor, (of Haynes of Maidstone). Tim, at one point, was leading the RAC Rally in 1980 in a car that I built, but alternator problems eventually put us out.
Although international rallying has had to be "toned down" somewhat since I was involved - it is still a fantastic spectator sport. YOU try getting close to the action or the prima-donna drivers in F1.........
These days all of the action can now be recorded on mobile phones and other digital media. My only recollections of those phenomenal days are in my head.
Go out and enjoy yourselves - it's the most fun you can have with your clothes on........
The plan is to find a good spot and just stay there for the second pass, seems pointless moving to another stage when it's so busy.
I will check out the rally maps, oh and liking the tip r.e media never really though of that.
Probably a silly question but Is it worth pre booking my tickets or just buy on the gate? Will it get me into the forest quicker ect?
In previous years it was £20pp on the gate, so maybe safe to assume that. If buying online, sooner rather than later is advisable as they still need to be posted out to you.
If I was spectating I'd probably be sticking to the one stage a day. The lower level boys and the nationals are just as, if not more committed to putting on a show. And if you've never heard a historic Escort BDA screaming through the trees then it's definitely worth a look.
I appreciate that there are "safe" spectator areas set up but obviously the whole of Hafren can't possibly have these set up. As you see on TV quite often there spectators literally all over the stage, whether it be 1's, 2's or whatever with, unfortunately, very little regard for their own safety!!! Are you free to roam into the Forest and deeper into the stage to pick your own viewing points??
But the truth is as long as your smart about where to stand, then you should be ok. If you get somewhere and a marshal says you shouldn't be there, then just move on a bit out of their sight.
A sound tip that I usually pass on, if possible try and find a safe place in the tree line and above the road. And don't stand on the outside of the corners.
There may be more spectator controls this year as there have unfortunately been a few high profile spectator deaths and injuries at other events, but I would expect that you will still be able to explore the stage and leave the pens, especially if you are there well before the stage is live. Just keep your wits about you. Personally I'd never sit down next to a live stage, just in case I needed to move quickly. All part of the fun!
Unfortunately I've managed to badly pull a muscle in my leg, so my trip is in doubt now
However, enjoy the top drivers doing their stuff! The sport & event aren't what they were, but it's still pretty special to get close to the action.
Last time I went to Sweet Lamb but it took three hours to get in and three hours to get out!
Any help to make this time better much appreciated.
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