McRae Stages Rally - 24/07/04
 

The Colin McRae Forest Stages GHI Rally returns to Perth again on the 24th of July 2004.

Colin will again run as opening car again this year in a MkII ford Escort. Following Colin will be both Alistair and Jimmy running as 00 and 000 cars in Jardine Lloyd Thompson sponsored Subarus.

Rally HQ for the weekend is Dewars Ice rink The centre will host a Friday night rally forum where a number of stars will be there to make a top line-up. There will also be some stalls including programme sales and Coltness Car club merchandise as well as some cars on display within the ice rink next to scruitineering.

A city centre start will get things underway on the Saturday with the start ramp being right in the heart of Perth's shopping centre. An enthusiastic Perth & Kinross Council and other event partners will be providing a number of "add-on" attractions.

This year's rally route is along similar lines as last year, with 4 stages covering 45stage miles and retaining central servicing in Aberfeldy. This means that competitors will again have a chance of tackling some of British rallying's most famous forests, stages such as Craigvinean, Errochty, Drummond Hill and this year Fonab.

Both the 2002/2003 events brought large crowds to the forests, all of which braved the dust to see their hero Colin McRae in action, so we encourage all spectators to book their spot early and safely.

Any one going spectating??? :)

Yep !
I'll be there..
My first year at the McRae stages. Cant wait. :)

Yip,Yip

OH YES

Grant

Got tickets for the after rally party in Perth ............ :)

I'll defo be there too!

Bogie

Has anyone got any tips on where is best to spectate and the easiest way of missing all the traffic for this event?

Cheers,

Chris.

Buy the Motorsport News tomorrow It will have the speccy points mapped out with car times

Grant

There will be a few of us up at Perth on Saturday.
Same the SIDC track day is the same date, as I usually do those, but next time.

Think we're staying in Perth on the Saturday night then heading to Knockhill for the rally challenge on the Sunday.

Anyone else doing the rally challenge too?


David

BlairC

I went for the first time last year. Went up to Craigvinean (The Hermitage at Dunkeld).

A couple of good spec areas there. Had to work in the afternoon last year but off all day on Saturday so deciding which stage to catch in the afternoon.

Some info at www.coltnesscarclub.co.uk. They're running the event.

I should be there again :)
Unless I end up going to the Ayr v's Killie game :Whatever_

Yeah im going to do both, sort of working at them both as a friend on mine films the Scottish Championship, amongst others.
I understand that the BBC is showing the Rally Challenge, probably a half hour shot but worth a watch if not on at 4am or something stoopid.

Cant wait to get stage side again and see Colin flying!!

Saw him running course car last year, was standing about 4ft from the side of the stage when he came past in his 6R4.
Flat in 5th downhill into a slight right through a dip sliding the whole way strightened it up and kept it nailed right down the straight. What a sight, my mate who I took along was so excited he jumped back from the roadside as the FEAR gripped him, he was worried about being so close!!

When Raymond Munro et all came through later on in their WRC machinery they were markedly slower that Colin was.

I hope its a good day and everyone going enjoys it too the full.:)

We are doing it in the Opel Corsa car number 21 sandwiched between evos and scoobs!!!

Over 50 cars now enetred plenty scoobs including 2 WRcs.

Also staying in Perth on the Sat night then down to the Rally at KH

Grant

Does anyone know when and where Stage 2 is?

As usual Big Broon is keeping a stage secret.
Is not on the CCC web-site.



David

I think stage 2 might have no spectator access, which is why its not listed.:)

Yes thats why they do it, but it doesn't means you can't find it.

Alan, our spray painter, is an expert at finding these. Then when you get there; there's loads of people already waiting.

They just like to get everyone into the paying car parks.



David

Unfortunately I am too far away. I was marshalling on Drummond Hill last year and lots of fun it was too.
Corsa..I don't know if you know Drummond Hill but the hairpins get very soft and cut up esp on a second run. Crank the car up as far as it will go cos ground clearance is critical. Also make sure any gap between the sump guard and the sump is blocked off as stones can get between them. I saw Neil Thompsons nova explode when that very thing happened. Personally I wouldn't take a small car into the forests like Drummond Hill as they just get f***ed even if you stay on the road.

Good luck to you and Gerry