johnfelstead

Hi guys,

I have just returned from the best rally spectating event I have ever seen, the 2003 Acropolis rally. It makes the Rally GB look a very poor relation in too many ways.

I spent the week with my friends Alister and Paul from http://www.ultimaterallyworld.com/index2.html doing a complete recee of the event to provide detailed information for Alister’s clients, this included driving the stages numerous times in order to find the best locations for spectating and photography, we also checked out the best routes into stage to allow for fast access. In total we drove 2000 miles, half of which was on gravel stages or access roads, that was great fun.

I hope you enjoy the pictures; they are many more located on my website at http://www.johnfelstead.co.uk/rally/...polis_2003.htm (i have pictures from many other WRC rallies if you would like a look, the site is still under construction so check back ocasionally)

Shakedown







Day one stages









Day one service







Day two stages









Day three stages








Day three finish control

XT

<sighs>

missed it

blf21

As ever, great photos John!

Ben.

johnfelstead

Thanks Ben, i need to strip and clean the camera now, the dust was horendous and screwed with the focus. Brilliant fun though.

Nate

iTrader: (2)

Awesome pics ...... photos taken in great positions !!

Nate.

ADP

Good pics John you lucky boy

What car did you drive round? Is this a job or a hobby?

RB5SCOTT

Great pics again John, I take it you get good holiday pay to jet around after these rally cars

Scott

johnfelstead

Thanks, i drove a brand new Pug 307 all week, it had 200 miles on the clock when i collected it, didnt when i took it back. LOL

It didnt miss a beat all week, pretty impressed with it but did my STi feel fast when i drove it when i came home!



We researched the whole event to make sure we got to the best spots for viewing and taking photos/videos. In some places we had over a minutes view of the cars with some amazing backdrops. Alister runs a tour company for WRC events and the work we put in before the event is aimed at giving his clients something extra special in terms of information and guidance.

We drove every stage on the rally bar one at least once including the shakedown stage, plus we drove down as many access roads as posible to find the fastest/easiest routes in. Based on this info we saw 3 stages a day and had no problems with getting in and out.

Unfortunately i dont do this kind of thing for a job, i was made redundant last month so am using this as an oportunity to go see some events i wouldnt normally have time for. I would love to be working on the WRC in some capacity.

We are off to Cyprus next week to do the same again, this time we are using a Land Cruiser, so hopefully i will be able to bring some more shots of the WRC.

rb5 286

iTrader: (2)

superb shots john, have u washed all the dust and dirt outa your nostrils yet

u been made redundant, u wana do something with regards to WRC, ur mate runs a tour thingy, JOHN, ITS STARING U RIGHT IN THE FACE m8,

danny-boy

Awesome photos mate, you did better coverage then Channel 4 and I didnt have to wait up to the small hours to watch it.

Good work

Cheers

Dan

JackClark

Thanks for those John.

Jen

Fantastic! ...tour company eh?

<------ yet to go to her first WRC event

Paulo P

iTrader: (42)

Who took their hire car round



Great pictures John

Paul

mkyboy

You Lucky SOD!!!!!

Great pics!

ScoobyJawa

great pics

ChrisB

I presume the hand brake got the full Felstead work out mate?

pics as ever.

johnfelstead

glad you like them. Yep, every night was a major clean up session in the shower, why is the water brown in greece?

Yep, liberal use of the handbrake was in order on some of the hairpins. The wierdest parts to drive were when it had water on the road, it was like driving on ice, very strange how much the grip dropped which made for the ocasional dodgy moment.

Alister has all the guys he needs right now, but if things take off in a big way that may be an option, he is in his first year of business, doing a great job so far.

If you want to go on an event Jen, it's not as expensive as you may think.

D6ale

iTrader: (1)

i'm the same as Jen.....still to go to my first ever WRC event. i have watched it all my life. my no. 1 sport but i still havent been to see one. wana go abroad, it looks so much better. but my mates either dont share the same interest in going as me. or cant afford it.

keep meaning to go to wales mind......

where do you get wales rally tickets from???

Reffro

John, your hire car is famous, its also featured at wrc.com in the photo gallery for the rally.

http://www.wrc.com/en_GB/Gallery/Pho...aveitmcrae.htm

Hmm it doesn't want to play ball by showing the piccy so here's the link.



[Edited by Reffro - 6/12/2003 3:54:21 PM]

johnfelstead

LOL fame at last



Dale, for ticket info check the rally GB forum setup on this BBS.

If you are wanting to visit on your own, you cant beat going with a group organised by a tour company, that way you wont be on your own and will have access to all the info you need to make the trip enjoyable.

Dave_A

As always, great photos John, getting into those kind of locations really pays dividends when you see the final results.

Cheers
Dave
www.scoobyphotos.com

S500BYSTEVE87

nice pics m8. i watched it and i really thought that solberg had 2nd place but he was unlucky but 3rd is not bad

STEVE

[Edited by S500BYSTEVE87 - 6/12/2003 5:29:49 PM]