Ok, so hands up if you're going, and what you're doing ....

We're arriving late Weds, overnight in Nice then a day in Monaco before driving north to overnight closer to the stages - Barcelonetta (nearest we could book).

Back to Nice Friday night for the Sat/Sun stages, then most of Monday pottering around Nice - really looking forward to it!

Hired a Focus . . . diesel!!! Should be fun.

Anyone got any info on where theres some good spectator points? And how long before the start do they close the roads?
Prob going to stages:
1&3 Pruniers - Embrun
5&6 Plan de Vitrolles - Faye
8&10 Saint Antonin - Tourette de Chateau
11&13 Sospel - Turini - La Bollene

:D

Flying out to Nice Thursday silly AM with Chris L, ScoobyChick and a friend. Staying in Nice and fly back Monday night.

John Felstead is coming out to play as well.

Up for a drink or 10? :D

I've got armfuls of maps and a huge tome full of totally useful info from World Rally Travel to pore over. It's got details of the best routes to the stages and stuff about arrival times too but as yet I've only flicked through it. There's some really good detailed stage maps too :)

Chris, I'm concerned about me, you, Chris, Wendy and four large suitcases all getting into the rental car at the airport :eek: :D

We'll definitely be doing 11 & 13 but haven't sorted out the other stages yet, probably be 2 & 4 Selonnet-Breziers, 8 & 10 St Antonin-Tourette du Chateau depending on a conflab with the others in our party :D

APJ, times according to my book for road closures are:

1 & 3 Prunieres-Embrun: TBA
2 & 4 Selonnet-Breziers: 07.21 - 14.57
5 & 6 Plan de Vitrolles-Faye: 11.33 - 19.09
7 & 9 Les 4 Chemins-Sigale: 06.33 - 15.19
8 & 10 St Antonin-Tourette du Chateau: TBA
11 & 13 Sospel-Turini-La Bollene: TBA
12 & 14 Lantesque-Luceram: TBA

It also says "In previous years the roads have been closed approx 2 hours before the first competitor was due, however at the time of writing there is little info on closure times, and recent problems with spectators on other tarmac rallies may result in an earlier closure time than in the past"

I'm going to sit down tonight with a few cold beers and get myself familiarised with everything from routes to stages, best speccying spots and the best watering holes ;) :D

Sal

It's going to be a tad cosy in the hire car I think Sal.

Bags front seat! ;) :p :D

Person in front seat has to navigate to hotel.... :p

Looks like snow and sun are forecast... (http://www.worldrallynews.info/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1042883880,24273,)

Weather for Monte Carlo (http://uk.weather.com/weather/local/MNXX0001?letter=M) :D

Having lashed out on a fancy new Lowe Alpine Jacket and thermals, it bloomin had better be damn cold! :D

I'll be there. Going out on Thursday returning on Monday. Staying in cheapy hotel in Monaco. Got chopper booked to get to Turini on Sunday. should be good.

Prob be in Stars n Bars on Sun night.

See u there

Cheers

Chip.

Me and a friend will be there, flying out on Thursday morning (same flight as Scoobychick) to Nice, collecting superfast Clio rental car then heading to hotel in Monte where will will stay for the whole time.

Going to the Col on Sunday by helicopter with Chip and mates.

Will most likely be in Stars n bars too Chip, got your number ;) :D

Teri
MLR Member

APJ I`m staying in barcelonette first night to do ss2 and 4, would that be same place?
scoobychick, I have them VIP passes if you want them for sat and sun, I`ll mail you my mobile no. in case you want to collect.
Hope you all have a good time.I`m certainly Looking forward to tackling them roads in me ford KaK.

Miller - we're at the Azteca Hotel (I think!) - its the only 3* in Barceloneta which appears on the web anyway!

If scoobychick declines the VIP passes then we'd deffo be interested!!

Scoobychick - thanks for the info, most useful - keep it coming!!!

As Im a Monte virgin . . . . just how cold does it get???? Do I need to invest in some proper clobber?? (Feeling left out as the missus bought a load of new stuff!).

Where is everyone staying in Nice? We're at the Acropole in the middle of town - not sure what the parking is like in Nice!

Must remember to drive on the right also!

Staying at the Ibis in Nice (Next to the train station...)

Flying out Wednesday afternoon - Heading up to the Col St Jean shakedown on the Thurdsay morning...

Hopefully meeting up with the rest of you lot on Thursday... :)

Got the VIP 'Car' pack - Only going to the Friday stages, so a freebie for anyone who fancies it for the Sat/Sun stages...

Look forward to seeing y'all out there - Mines a pint! ;)

Ross.

[Edited by Ross Taylor - 1/21/2003 2:53:40 AM]

APJ
Me too!! well there`s a coincidence. see you in the bar.
by the way what you paying for your room?

Ross.
I'd be interested in the car passes for Sat.

Chip.

Guess who had a little accident yesterday and is now suffering badly with sciatica??? :rolleyes: I've been to the doctors today and got dosed up with mega strength pain killers and anti-imflammatories and the doc has left it up to me to decide whether I'm fit enough to go yomping in the Alps or not. At the moment I'm having trouble just sitting down let alone walking... :(

Bugger.

BTW the road closure times are all up on the Monte website (http://www.acm.mc/rallye/acm-rallye.php) now :)

Sal

We're staying at the Hotel Sportmen in Nice. Details here (http://www.hotelsportmen.com/anglais/welcome.htm)

Those road closure times look like its an early start then. Better stay off the pop I think.

Hope your OK to travel Sal. Day in bed tomorrow taking it easy may help.

Cheers

Chip.

Yep, see you in the bar Miller!

Have fun everyone - should be good!!