Thanks for the answers guys, that was what I wanted to hear!

We're going to get Event Passes (not sure which option yet). Is it possible to recce those stages? If yes, may have to check the flights a day earlier... Any recommendations on the best maps to get to cover the stages? I'm looking at the Ordnance Survey 1:25000 ones.

Graham

[Edited by GBScooby - 9/3/2003 8:55:13 PM]

It is possible to work out the routes though, if you make a note of what it has been in previous years

Routes do get changed though so it's not always a guarantee, for example the place we spectated from at Rheola in 2001 was part of the car park last year.

Anyway, what John says is absolutely correct and I for one will be mightily peed off if a stage that I've bought a ticket for and, then spent 2 hours waiting for in the cold gets cancelled because of spectators standing where they shouldn't be.



[Edited by scoobychick - 9/5/2003 9:43:29 AM]

That is correct but the spectator areas are huge, last year we had no problems at all seeing everything, in fact it wasn't really any different to any other year we've been, just that we didn't get the opprtunity to do a 3 mile yomp into the stages. The viewing areas were all very good with trees having been cut down especially to make the views as unhindered as possible.

[Edited by scoobychick - 9/5/2003 11:12:16 AM]

Started off looking at getting tickets for Saturdays Super special and a day pass for Sunday, ended up buying the world rally full pass... These things happen!

We are planning on making full use of it, and trying to see lots of stages.

Any recommendations for viewing spots on some of the stages? We only did Sunday last year, and that was our first rally in Wales. We went to Walters Arena and Margham Park.

I thought this thread would be full of replies! We're looking at Saturday Day pass 1 opt 3 (Halfway and Resolfen) and Margam Park on Sunday to see the finish. Any recommendations anyone, or do we all get herded to the same spot anyway?

Steve

You got it.
Better washing your hair and watch it on the television at night.
Absolutely farcical joke of an event.

"You got it.
Better washing your hair and watch it on the television at night.
Absolutely farcical joke of an event."

if thats what you think why bother coming here in the first place......

Probably just as cheap going to Catalunya or Germany. You are not ripped off with tickets that don't guarantee you will even get into the stages and you are treated as human beings there and not as cattle. So many people complain about not being able to get around in Wales. I wouldn't bother even trying. Sorry to upset you Scoff but enjoy yourself anyway!

[Edited by Derek FKS 85 - 8/25/2003 2:18:36 PM]

No the event is not what it was 20 yrs ago but things really did have to change. Spectators need to be controlled unfortunately due to a dickhead element that insists on standing in stupid places. The change in format is down to the Fia , manfacturers and Rallies commision wanting a much tighter and compact route to cut down on costs with servicing, logistics etc.

I too will also be going to the Monte next year but will probably do the RAC as I usually do as well even thoufgh I too moan about the format.

The changes are here to stay so if you dont like them dont go.

Chip.

Would be nice of someone actually J&L, instead of bashing the event. I'd like to hear recommendations of good spots to spectate too.

[Edited by neiltbag - 8/25/2003 6:34:05 PM]

OK, anyone wishing to have a winge, start your own thread! We won't be staying home to wash our hair and watch on TV, (it only takes him 2 seconds to wash his hair anyway!!)

I guess we'll just try and get as many stages in as we can, and next year we'll post our opinion as to where our fav spots are!

Hi

We saw the action last year at Halfway.....very fast stage.

There was nothing wrong with the bit of road where Marcus came off....except for a bit of mud, so as long as they've not altered it, it should be good again.

There were nice bends, a good jump (which of course Colin won!!) and fast cars!!!

In previous years been to Margham and enjoyed. Coming from Leicester we found Trawscoed tricky to get to and gave up!!!

Hope thats more helpful than the whingers!!

Hi,

Avoid the Cardiff SS unless you are there on the Thursday night & combine it with the start / seeing the cars in the main street.

Walters arena is awfull :( you can't get close enough to the action & it's full of dickheads with fireworks (nothing against fireworks only dickheads) However if you walk into the stage (to left as your standing in walters)it is a great stage with plenty of fast corners & good viewing spots.

Resolfen is one of my favorite stages again do some walking & you will be rewarded with some good spots.

Trawscoed, Brechfa, Crychan & Halfway are all good stages, but rememeber don't be a sheep ! the pens usually have the poorest views. walk into the stage & find a safe spot with a great view.

Avoid Margam it's another crap viewing area unless you want to see the winning driver over the line. Margam forest however is good but aproach from the north & not the main Margam car parks.

Have fun & don't forget your air horn.

Were not going this year, first time for 8 years, off to Catalunya instead, which has actually worked out slightly cheaper than GB.

We may be tempted to drive down on the Saturday & take in Resolfen :)

Cheers
Richard

Thanks for the input - I think we have enough now to at least start planning :-) Only 65 days to go you know!!!

We went to Margam Park last year, and it was a nightmare to get out of, so I think we'll be steering clear.

L

i've got 2 World Rally Passes, which grants me any car park (apart from Q & S) to any stage?

So come on veterans, (as it was my first time only last year, and only went for Sunday) where are the best car parks for each stage?

Answers on a postcard please!

the rhondda stage should be good this year and its only 40 mins from cardiff if you leave early enough. if you use the road that runs from hirwaun to treherbet then u got access to both resolfen and rhondda!

Cheers

Kie

Richard/333: is it easy to leave the pens and walk into the stage then? I heard earlier that it wasn't possible so I was pleased to see your message! Is it possible to recce the stages in advance or are they all closed because they're on private land?

Thanks,
Graham

the army ranges are open a lot of the time as it is a major road. some of the forestry stages are open. depends which ones you want to recce!

which ones you looking at? rheola is quite good!

as for the pens...... we had no problem walking into the stage last year, just find yourself somewhere safe to stand and there should be no problem. The spectator pens are obviously located near to the carparks, but if you are prepared to walk further you can get to see some good quieter spots........

Graham,

Walking from the pens into the stages is easy, most of the marshalls are sensible and as long as you are not walking on a live stage & find a safe place to view they will not bother you.

Infact most of the marshalls find the best places to view from.

You will not be able to recce the stages the day before unless walking or on a bike as majority of stages are closed forestry roads. Not like Finland's closed public roads.



Cheers :)

GBScooby,

The actual event stage routes will not be released to the public - only the locations of the spectator carparks so you will run the risk of recce'ing the wrong stage route!

Paul..

So is it not possible to identify the route from a detailed map and the maps on this site then? I guess I'm too used to Finland where it's easy to work out the stages from a large scale road map by just looking for some of the main corners and working back from that...

the organisors dont want anyone outside the spectator pens, you run the risk of the stage being cancelled if you wander out of them. This is why the stage route is not being released to the public.

you cannot recce any of the stages on RallyGB.

It is possible to work out the routes though, if you make a note of what it has been in previous years :)

Mind you at places like Epynt, some of the roads aint on a map.

Great stage though - especially beyond the deers leap section at the area where all the team helicopters land. Can see the cars flat out for about a minute.

So I am correct in thinking if I have tickets for Car Park "W" for the Rhondda stages I am going to be directed to a specific area to view from rather than picking my own spot ???

I can understand the reasoning, but when you are only short I may not be able to see anything !!!!



Neil

That sounds ideal - thanks for the "re-assurance".


I suppose it is just left down to me to get there early enough !!


Neil

No problem Neil :)

[Edited by scoobychick - 9/5/2003 10:00:36 PM]

If too many "fans" decide to leave the pens and go roaming the stage, there is every possibility that the stage will be cancelled by the FIA supervisor. It has happened on many occasions in the past and that cocks it up for everyone.

I've been going for years and I miss the freedom of yesteryear when you walked along the stage and jumped into a ditch when a car approaced at full tilt. But it's a changing world and no more so than in WRC.

Being an old geezer I can recount the "good old days" but they are long gone. By the way do you remember when you could have a good night out for 5 bob and.................!!