Hi,

I've been following the WRC for several years, but I've never actually been to an event. (Was planning to go to GB last year, but didn't make it...)

As it'll be my first rally, I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction and give me some of the basic info. The info on the Wales Rally GB website isn't particularly helpful IMHO!

I'll be travelling from the Midlands, so no great worries here.
I'm planning to go to stages on the Saturday and Sunday...

Firstly, of the two Saturday day passes, no 1 looks to be the best: Crychan/Halfway and Margam. What about Epynt? I don't think the SuperSpecial is really worth it (is it?)

How much access to spectators have to the stages?
Is everyone pened in like sheep, or can you walk out to areas on the stages themselves?
How early do you guys recommend that you get to the stages? I suppose this is going to depend on how far it is from the car park and how long it takes to get parked etc?

Which are the best Saturday and Sunday stages to go to?
What about the service park at Felindre? Worth going to?

As you can see, I'm pretty well clueless - so any info/pointers etc would be very gratefully received!


Cheers,

Richard

Hi Richard

Welcome to the board! :)

As regards general info there is some useful stuff on the website that is worth looking at - i.e. accomodation etc. There are links in one of the 'sticky' threads at the top of this forum. I would get your accomodation sorted out now, unless you intend to sleep in the car.

General hints? - Get a decent map. Invest in something like a Philips Navigator - cost you about £20 from WH Smiths. Best thing this side of a proper OS map. Useful all the time, not just for the rally!

Stage wise - Crychan and Halfway are recommended (as is Epynt, but I don't think the pass combination (and timing) will allow you to do all 3, which is a shame) - not so keen on Margam myself and I would agree about the Superspecials. If you've never seen rally cars close up then go along - they will be good events. If you prefer (like me) to see rally cars in their proper environment (i.e. through a forest, flat out), don't bother.

Spectator pens were really badly named - as they do conjure images of sheep pens. This isn't the case. OK, it is not like it used to be, but there is a fair choice and there is normally plenty of room. The spectator areas are basically large sections of forest, simply taped off. Once you're in, you probably won't want to move (especially if you have a good spot).

I would normally expect to be onstage about 2 hours before the cars come through. This should get you a decent view (and a space in the car park). I would expect an average walk of around a mile from car park to viewing point.

Service park is normally good too - especially if you've never been before. A good chance to get up close to the cars and meet the drivers if you're lucky :)

Hope this helps

Chris

I too am a newbie to the Rally scene and am looking to meet others with the same interest as well as possible transportation. Let me know how your forum goes and if you could use another passenger or someone to go in on a car rental,etc.

Seth

Chris,

Thanks for your excellent and informative reply!
I'm presuming that it must be traffic chaos getting to and from the stage car parks - what is it like travelling between stages (eg, on one of the day passes)? Is there plenty of time to get from stage to stage?

Really like the sound of the forest stages as you mention - and it's interesting you should mention Margam, because I'd got it into my head that I wouldn't mind going over there on the Sunday (probably as it was on TV last year!).

I'm thinking that if we get to a couple of the stages on the Saturday, Sunday may be spent at the service park and then at the finish super special.

I'm assuming that there's quite a party atmosphere at the finish?

I'm assuming that there is information relayed back to the service park in real time during the stages and that it'll be possible to "follow" the rally from there?

Is there any radio or PA coverage whilst spectating on the stages so that you can keep track of what's going on?

The mile hike is no problem - we love walking - so sounds fantastic!

Thanks again for your reply - any more information of recommendations would be gratefully received.

It's great to hear somebody being positive about spectating at Rally GB for a change - there seems to have been lots of negative comments on here in the recent past.

Thanks again,

Richard

rich,
i would suggest Crychan then Margam on the Saturday as it gives you longer to get from stage to stage. Halfway is ok but will give you less time.I would suggest going down on the Friday night (if allowed, mom, girlfreinds, and wives,)....
usually the night before the car parks are open and there are usually a good crowd already there and the atmosphere is great....
If you have never been to a rally before i would suggest you stay in the speccie areas.... going into the forest areas inexperienced, you could stand somewhere dangerous and either get the stage cancelled or get yourself hurt...
service park... never done it, sorry i can't help

Eppynt is worth a look, as they have they famous dears and devils jumps there, notibly where Gronholm rolled his 206 there back in 2002. There is hardly any forestry on the Eppynt Ranges. So if your looking for forestry which adds a bit more excitment when rallycars are hammering thru then, as you say Halfway or Crychan are worth a look.

Hope this helps :)

West Glam,

Both Deers and Devils Leap jumps have been part of the Halfway stage for the last couple of years. The "Epynt" stage is a new stage that hasnt been run previously.

Paul..

But does it include the leaps...........

Rallymarshall

Opps.....Apologies for my error in that one

WGC

Really like the sound of the forest stages as you mention - and it's interesting you should mention Margam, because I'd got it into my head that I wouldn't mind going over there on the Sunday (probably as it was on TV last year!).
Margam is OK, personally I prefer the carpark up in the forest (M) away from the house, there is quite a good view looking down the hillside over numerous bends and a double hairpin. Although, you do get a running commentary if you do go to the house area (can be a bit crowded though).

I don't think the SuperSpecial is really worth it (is it?)
Although the super-special isnt "real" rallying its definately worth seeing, especially if you've never been. Its a good way to spend the evening and you get to see some good face-offs. Its good action and you also get commentary so you know whos who and whats going on.

How much access to spectators have to the stages?
Is everyone pened in like sheep, or can you walk out to areas on the stages themselves?
Most of the stages have "spectator areas", most are pretty big and you can walk around quite freely.

I'm presuming that it must be traffic chaos getting to and from the stage car parks - what is it like travelling between stages
In my experience traffic isnt that bad at all. You will have to queue to get in and out, but no big deal.

Hope that helps.

No problem Richard - glad you found it useful :)

As regards coverage, there is normally an update of events available at service. The WRC broadcast trucks will be there and you will be able to see highlights of the days action and interviews. The best way to keep in touch is to get a scanner and the team frequencies - these aren't normally made public, but if you know the right people... Keep an eye out on the board - nearer the time, someone should have them.

There is always a bit of chaos getting out of stages, but you should be able to make it between stages without too much problem (this is where a good map and navigator are essential). It just depends on how long you want to stay on stage. With our event passes, we will be staying put on those stages that are run twice.

Chris

richard....hi......i been going to the rally now since 1990,i did go a few times when it was in kielder etc,but not the whole rally......i would say it is a gr8 rally,good fans,marshals etc.......if u do stop over on the stage overnight it is a gr8 atmosphere,and like chris l said.......if the stage runs twice,its better just stopping put.....have a gr8 rally m8....u will enjoy...Tez

THE RALLY IS AS GOOD NOW AS IT EVER WAS, YES A LOT MORE RESTRICTED (AND PRICEY) BUT STILL JUST AS EXCITING. NEVER BEEN TO MARGAM BEFORE GUESSING IT WILL BE LIKE THE OLD SUNDAY STAGES AT CHATSWORTH -FULL.STAYED IN THE CAR LAST YEAR, ON STAGE, ATMOSPHERE WAS GREAT. DOING IT AGAIN THIS YEAR, CANT RECOMEND IT ENOUGH.

Thanks guys for all of the info.
Looking at Crychan (staying for the two runs on the Saturday), then possibly Margam or heading for the service park.

Sunday - possibly just Margam or the Super Special (and service park?).

I'm thinking that it would be better to not be too ambitous for the first rally as regards the number of stages we intend to go to - if all goes well we'll try a bit harder next year.

I shall be going with my fiance, so sleeping in the car is not an option this time!

Good pointer on the scanner - do they still use analogue radio then? Obviously a scanner is no good for digital! If it's worth it I might see what I can get hold of...

Thanks again - I'll be back with more questions as I think of them!

Rich

Chris L,

in ur opinion whats the ideal starter scanner for a first timer ? roughly how much are they and where do u get them mate ??

any info would be great,

cheers. Homer

Rich & Homer, the team freqs are analogue, keep your eyes posted on this forum for frequencies nearer the time, usually about a week before the event.

We use a Yupiteru MVT-7100 which does the job brilliantly. The first scanner we bought didn't have the step sizes in small enough increments so we couldn't tune in to the WRC freqs. The Yupiteru is a fantastic scanner albeit not the latest model so can be picked up for under two hundred quid, this one I won in an auction on Ebay for £170 in excellent condition a few years ago, they were about £250 new then.

Javiation (http://www.javiation.co.uk/) and Stewart Aviation (http://www.stewart-aviation.co.uk/rs/index-page5.html) are good places to look for a brand new scanner.

Sal

Excellent - thanks for the info!
A scanner defintely sounds like a "must have" - will get searching!

Cheers,

Rich

We use a Yupiteru MVT-7100 which does the job brilliantly. The first scanner we bought didn't have the step sizes in small enough increments so we couldn't tune in to the WRC freqs.

Just been looking at scanners and they all seem to go on about variable frequency step sizes and stuff. I was looking at the ICOM ICR-5, which looks like quite a nice piece of kit. I'm sure this must be good enough (it says it has continuous frequency coverage from 150khz to 13.0.995Mhz!)

Can anyone tell me if this will work ok for the WRC? Don't want to buy something and then find it's no use!

(... think we're going a bit off thread now - SORRY!)

Iirc the freqs were all somewhere in the region of 400 to 500mhz but don't quote me on that! I do know that we had to use 12.5khz increments to get the right freq though.

The Yupiteru MVT-7100 gets consistantly good reviews even though it came out in the 90s, do a Google search and see! There's some info on it here (http://www.javiation.co.uk/). The blurb on that site says my scanner does this:

Frequency Coverage: 530KHz-1650MHz
Modes: AM, NFM, WFM, LSB & USB
Increment Steps: 50, 100Hz (LSB/USB only), 1, 5, 6.25, 9, 10, 12.5, 20, 25, 50 & 100kHz (50 & 100kHz only on WFM)

And I know it works so you can base your desicion on that :)

Margam is OK, personally I prefer the carpark up in the forest (M) away from the house, there is quite a good view looking down the hillside over numerous bends and a double hairpin.


Maybe this is a bit of a pathetic question (blush!) but, what are the tracks like to the stage car parks?

Looking at the car park maps, it's quite a long way to some of the car parks (say Margam, Car Park M) - are the tracks dirt tracks which are likely to get churned up and rutted big time and wreck my car (Impreza - what else?!), or are they ok?

Feel free to take the p*ss if you think it's appropriate!!

RIch

The tracks are pretty good, we manage fine in a lowered Impreza :) You have to be a bit careful when parking up on the side of the track (I always get out and test the ground with my foot first!) but generally they're in very good condition.

Actually most of the tracks in the Welsh forests are in better condition than a lot of the tarmac roads round here :eek:

Rich would we take the p***? ;)

It's a good question. As Sal said we managed OK last year. Both Scoobs we took were lowered (Sal's Dad's more than mine) - we didn't have any problems.

Chris

Most of the tracks are OK, some are a little bumpy but you shouldnt have any trouble. Hopefully September will be drier anyway so it shouldnt be so boggy. ;)

Yep most of the forest tracks are in pretty good shape! I noticed on sat that they have been felling some trees around the e.g Rhondda Stage car parks and it looks as if they have re-graded some of the tracks where the car park is usually! The only thing you have to be carefull of is where the roads camber on the forest tracks, try and keep as many wheels on the highest point of the camber/s that way the you wont hear the bottom of the car scraping the gravel! aaahhhhh

Take a look at this thread some comments have been posted there about forest tracks to the 2002 Event halfway stage!

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=344119

Hope this helps

WGR

Last year the tracks that i went to were basically old lanes and parking on the sides of the lanes. The roads were vert dirty and loose gravel. there were lots of imprezzas and evos. I was in a ford courier van so i didnt really care about the gravel. i am not sure what all the tracks were like. but i would take it easy unless you are wanting a paint job for your subaru :P

Cheers for all of the info guys!

The tracks to the car park are actually normally OK, except for that particular day at halfway two years ago...

But yeah, we had no trouble getting up there last year and we were on my mates lowered konis!!!!