Is there anyone on the board going to attend the WRC Rally of GB or Ireland? I am hoping to get down to one of the days at the Irish Rally and will definitely be atending the special stage at Stormont Buildings. I've never been to one before so was wondering what was experience was like

I will of course, be at the Rally of GB, working the Parc Ferme.

My tip for you Paul, go to the Stormont superspecial by all means, but then also try a couple of the proper stages. either way, get there early and bag a good spot. with a proper "Parralell track" Superspecial, try and get a nice view of the bridge (don't go and stand underneath it though). and keep your camera ready for the ubiqutous shot of one car going over the other. A top tip is to keep your camera ready for Petter "Hollywood" Solberg's run. He tends to do something very silly on his slowing down lap, and is never the same twice (He once drove around cardiff's arena standing out of the car, no one quite knows how he did it). Another interesting experience is the night stages, which can be very atmospheric and spectacular. Take a torch though, and don't look straight at the cars headlights, you may find yourself rather dazzled by their performance!!

Not sure how hot the Irish are at this, but if you do find you're able to stand where you like (on a proper stage that is), use your common sense. Don't stand on the outside of corners (Cars are liable to spin out and you'll get covered with anything they throw up) May be best to avoid the insides too (drivers like to cut corners whenever they can.). Listen out for Sirens (The Safety Car's have these) and Whistles (the Marshals). Safety cars may stop and shout at you (either thanks or they want you to move). so pick a good spot before they get near you.

A top tip from WRGB programs gone by "Rally cars may; throw up stones, leave the road, run wide, cut corners, do what you least expect" The latter is especially true.

Rally marshals spend most of their time on crowd control than anything else apparently. So listen to their instructions (if they have any), and if you can find a radio car, they can be a handy source of information (i.e. running orders, etc).

If you have to walk on the stage to get to your spot, get there really early to avoid the safety cars (Spectator Safety, FIA Observer, 000, 00, 0), and wait for the sweeper car to come through before trying to go anywhere (it will have flashing lights on the roof and chequred flags on the doors).

Oh yeah, and watch out for low flying aircraft. The FIA safety observers like to overfly the stages in their helicopter at an altitude of around 100-200feet. Which makes for some spectacular photo opportunities. Mind your hat!

Also, the service park is well worth a visit, but only at service times! If you thought F1 Pit Stops are impressive, wait untill you see the rally boys changing gearboxes in under 5 minutes, using no lifting equipment other than what God gave them (Audi Le Mans team used a crane, Subaru mechanics use their arms). The drivers often sign autographs as well.

If you fancy a bit of Rally of Great Britian (sadly a rather short event nowadays compared with years gone by) Then nip over on a ferry (tip, get a ferry from Rosslare to either Fishguard or Milford, or you will have an unpleasant long drive at the other end) and head to Cardiff on Thursday for the autograph session and start ramp ceremony. Head on up to the Walter's Arena near Neath on Friday. do the Millenium stadium on Saturday, and drop into the service for the final service of the day on Sunday - and mind the champaigne. It's not a sport you can stand in one spot for. If you are coming, let me know.

Oh yeah, and be warned now - Rally cars are noisy, but Scandanavian Fans are even noisier. Particually Norweigans for some odd reason. Beware anyone with an airhorn who points it at your nose!

Cheers Stig - I'll try to remember all that <help>

I have been to a Special Stage once before for the British Rally Championship but it was at a showgrounds at the Kings Hall in Belfast and sat in a stand. Going to a proper rally will be a different experience and will hopefully get a bit closer to the cars

Just remember - dont' get too close, or there may not be a stage for you to watch!

And don't for God's sake park your tractor on the course!

There goes my parking space!

Hopefully the rally will be very well marshalled and they have something like allocated spectator zones. Usually the rallies held in Ireland are very well organised and I expect for the WRC debut it should be no different (hopefully)

Okay, well I can tell you exactly where I'll be this year's WRGB - I shall be at Swansea on Wednesday for scrutineering, Swansea refueling on Thursday, Glyneath refueling on Friday, and Saturday and sunday patroling Parc Ferme. Let us know if you're coming!

God i wish i lived closer <no>

I would LOVE to see it

You'd be amazed at how far people travel for it, Jim. The carparks open the night before the stage so you can drive up there and sleep in your car!

*The STIG 's top tip - hire a van and sleep in that.

Yer sorry also cause i have to work being in Retail coming up to Xmas <grrr>

Next year the shop will be gone so <dance>

I had my first WRC experience last night and would highly recommend attending the special stages. With the crowds being so close to each other it gives it a kind of stadium atmosphere and you get so close to the cars. Without a doubt attending a rally is a far better experience in terms of getting close to the cars than a circuit race.

Seconded - unless you actually go to a stadium (!)

Didn't the Portugese WRC round this year hold a special stage in an actual stadium? I think it was a stadium used during Euro 2004 than was hollowed out of the side of a mountain

Stadium Superspecials this year - Argentina, Portugal, Greece (last year at least) and the next one will be Wales Rally GB - around the millenium stadium.

Unfortunatly, the millenium stadium is not big enough for a proper 2 lane head to head track...

So we will have to wait until the RoC for a proper rallying head to head in a stadium in Britain? <hitwall>

yes, which I have been turned down for... unfortunatly.

I'll be following the GB as normal. Great weekend out following the rally and camping with like minded foke.

Especially this year as my Uncle is competeing with my dad co-driving! Their first rally GB. Good luck to them.

Which car are they in Kravenius? I'll try and keep an eye out for them in Parc Ferme and Refueling.

Its great to let the public have better access to rallying in stadiums but nothing beats the forests at max attack <bow> <bow>

Stig, they're car 122. A Fiesta ST.

On a side note shame about Gronholm in the rally of Ireland. Has probably taken the edge off what could have been a titanic battle in the Rally GB.

Ah - I see them here on my list. The very best of luck to them both!