Have done this stage the last four years, and live localish, so know a couple of ways in. Dont however, know the whole stage. Just wondered if any body knows if there are any half decent jumps on this stage. Am going to be overnight (somewhere !) in the forest so can get to pretty much any part of the course before the runs. Have looked @ rally guide 1 and its pretty much the same as normal, so if anyone knows the stage well, please just let us know roughly how far into the stage any jumps are.
Cheers

I work in the mountainbke centre in the forest, and do a lot of my riding there. I can't think of any big jumps on the stage, the only jump I can think of is the crossroads at the top of the Reslofen village carpark.
Where do you usually view?

If you head for the Windfarm from the Tarmac (or quarry) people, about halfway, the track comes to a ninety on the usual course. Usually this area and dependent on energy levels. Usually on foot. I can manage up to about ten miles on foot, but cant take a bike because of a bad back.
BTW did Rheola last year and agree with your other post. Hoofed it up to where Mcrae's brother took his helicopter last year (in the glorious september sun and heat I might add !!!!) . Love Rheola, but want to photograph heavily this year so have been forced to choose Resolfen with ss2 & 5 being the optimum daylight times. Have not worked out the following two days yet, but intend to avoid the sheep pens.

I think I know where you mean. About halfway between the windfarm & the Totem poles. I got some good shots last year form Windy Point (Tyle Mawr on an OS map), but I think the stage runs from Tonmawr to Resolfen this year so you'll just get a faceful of mud there.
There's some good viewing if you go into Resolfen from Tonna on the old road, park up by the school, and walk up to the bridleway from there.
Two years ago I was stood on a bank above a long RH bend, looking at the drivers' wrestling with the wheel. Solberg was gurning well:). There was a TV cameraman there, and after he'd got the top 5 and gone,I stood on his perch behind a stone wall, on top of a rock. Very close to the action I could have touched Gardemeister's car as he stuck the nose into the apex.
From there you can get up to the Totems for the second run(walking on the stage), and there are a few more good corners on the way to the totems.
The only other possible jump I can think of, is where they come down into a 90L at a crossroads on Tonmawr side. After the exit, they go straight up hill to a crest on a fast RH'er, and may get some air there before dropping down onto a long DH LH corner at Picadilly (5 road junction) near Rhiwcregan. There's usually a shortcut between this jump (J6 - J9 in 2002), & the 90R thru gate below the windfarm.

yes, thats the area, just keep heading for the windfarm from the Totems and you get to the course. Dont know the area as well as you, but have found it to be OK. Cheers for the other references, depending on the weather and energy levels, will look into this. Did notice that this years run terminates @ the resolfen end, so going to look at the maps again and come up with a bit of a plan. Off of work that week, so might even pop up on the reccy day for a bit of a nose around.

I was thinking of riding the whole stage route in the next few weeks. If i see anything promising, I'll direct you for a look on the recce day.

Thats very kind, thanks.

I managed a quick look around the Resolfen side yesterday, and they exit the stage at the jump I told you about (stage finish is near the totems). There's a lot of grading being done on the fireroads, & they may put 1 or 2 small jumps in? The start is at the crossroads I mentioned above, so the small jump will be used. I'm going to ride the Rhigos side of the stage tomorrow, I'll let you know if I find anything.
If you want 2006 stagemaps for Friday, PM me your E-mail, and I'll send them to you.

do you have maps for sunday fella? many thanks if you do

drewbuckley@buckas.com

:)

They're the same route as Brechfa & Trawscoed last year, but run in the opposite direction.

what about rheola, crychan and halfway... are they the same as last year

All the other stages are the same as last year, the only diffance is Brechfa & Trawscoed run in the oppiste direction and Margam now port Talbot is complety diffrent.

judging by the rough guide of the stage for brechfa is laid out in the pdf on the site, the route is different


(last years map on the left, this years down loadable pdf on the right)
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/226/untitled1vl8.jpg



its also seems the stage meets itself in the green circled area

_______________________

has anyone got any pics from junctions 12 + 13 on brechfa from previous years, just to see what the viewings like, it looks great from the aerial shot - aerial photo link to said junctions >> Flash Earth ...satellite and aerial imagery of the Earth in Flash (http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=51.975324&lon=-4.201053&z=15.1&r=0&src=msl)

thanks :)

The stage does practically meet itself at that point.
It gets incredibly crowded here because the cars come 'round from one direction then you can spin 'round on your heels and see them pass you again in the opposite direction.
It's where Sainz had his unfortunate accident in 2001, hitting a dozen or so spectators...
Mind you, I've not stood there since 2000, so not sure if you can still watch from that specific point.

now you saying that's where the crash was has made me feel a bit iffy to go there, lol :confused:

Re Brechfa junctions above, it was like that in 2004. Good viewing and not madly crowded - but is was early in the morning and pissing with rain! I slept in the car the night before and was bleary eyed to say the least.

Have a look at my Brechfa pics and vid here (http://www.giveitfish.co.uk/rally/0409_rallygb/index.html).

Steve

OK, added a short video of the double corner to give you a flavour

click here (http://www.giveitfish.co.uk/rally/0409_rallygb/Brechfa_Crossover.wmv)

that's cracking, thanks steve - looks like a goodun :thumb:

there is a small jump on Resolfen.... they should all be getting some air over it.... looking at the maps it is where the stage goes northwards between Mynydd Pen-y-cae and '539' on the map...

That's up at the top of the Skyline MTB trail near the Celtic Shelter. It'll be thru a gate, and into some DH sweeping bends just after it.:cool:
From Carpark C, you can walk a path up alongside the straight section (the "Airstrip") to the sq L and use the Coed Morgannwg Way (waymarked walking trail)to Pen Y Cae.:norty:
It's fairly exposed up there, so fog and windchill will be two of the main problems.:(

Just had a thought. I'll scan a trailmap, and link to it so you can use the singletrack as safe paths between the different sections of stage in that area.
The trail will be closed, but keep an eye out for local guys on bikes and you should be OK.