I wasn't sure what to ask, exactly... I know most of you guys are do-it-yourselfers, slogging through forests and sleeping in car parks and all, but I'm considering using one of those organized tours, like Rally Tours or Kuoni (sp?)...

And before you laugh hysterically- YES, I am talking about Wales Rally GB! (commence w/ laughter now).
Here's the problem- I've never been to a World Rally -or even close, and my wife hasn't even been outside of the US! So the task of arranging and organizing all this is a bit daunting for me... :(
It was just sounding like a neat way to see some WRC action and not deal w/ all the hassles of seeing my first "real" rally- on top of the usual travel hassles...unfamiliar areas and customs, driving on the opposite side, not understanding the locals ;) etc...

Anyway, I just wondered if any of you had used any of these services to see other rallies?
I'm determined to figure out a good way to do this..

thanks for any info and opinions!
Russ R

Hi Russ, I've used the UK company Rally Travel (http://www.rallytravel.com/) to travel with on a number of occasions to Rallye Monte Carlo and Rallye Deutschland and am booked again with them for Germany this year. As we had no prior knowledge of either of these events it seemed the safe option and I'm very glad we did it.

They are very good, very friendly, well organised and all their reps are very knowledgeable about rallying, they also include a fantastic rally pack with excellent maps and descriptions of all the stages including recommended spots to spectate from, their maps have proved indispensible :) They also do accompanied rally tours. Wales Rally GB don't give you detailed stage maps anymore and although it is possible to find the stages from the maps they give you (and signposts along the way) it can be a bit daunting for the first time visitor.

If you opt to drive yourself then I recommend you get hold of a copy of Philips Navigator Road Atlas (http://www.philips-maps.co.uk/philips/display.asp?K=183616246177374&M=1&CID=philips&WHERE=%28keyword+PH+WORDS+%27navigator%27%29&SS=%28keyword+PH+WORDS+%27navigator%27%29&DS=general&DC=35&SORT=SORT%5FTITLE&MW=0) as it has a superb scale of 1.5 miles to an inch and shows every road, unclassified lane, farm track etc. It's impossible to get lost whilst using it ;)

If you're travelling to a foreign event I think using a rally tour operator is the best way to go, the tours are extremely cheap and the info and on-event advice you get is excellent :)

Email me as per profile if you want any more info, I've been going to Rally GB for about 10 years ans am always happy to help.

Sal

not understanding the locals ;) etc...

Hehe, I can guarantee that you won't be on your own in that department :D:D:D

555

Very good- thanks for the info and pm's! :)

Russ R