Absolutely chaotic disgusting and couldn't give a jot attitude by the MSA.

1 tiny entrance up a 'white' to accept thousands of spectators and their cars into a muddy field for an eye watering £25 EACH person,all  after a 2.5 hour 2 mile queuing session to actually reach it.

Knew I shouldn't have gone, and many many others expressing their dismay and anger too, mainly at the poor marshals who were struggling to maintain control with the vociferous crowds. Felt and expressed my gratitude and sorrow for them under extremely trying conditions.

 

Heard over the p.a. that they were considering cancelling the stage, so thought right, let's get out of here fast before they possibly do and it all kicks off, as there were quite a few hot headed dodgy looking creatures slithering around there, voicing their 'colorful' opinions regardless of the fact there were women and young kids there too.

 

A truly dreadful expensive experience NEVER to be repeated again.

Saw the grand total of 4 WRC cars twice from a distance, before the stage was stopped to sort out the chaos.

I'm so glad I decided 4 years ago I would never watch rally gb again. Even though this year was on my door step. I knew it would bring out every knobhead under the sun who doesn't understand the sport at all. It's bad enough seeing half of the followers of night rallying in wales

I'm so glad I decided 4 years ago I would never watch rally gb again. Even though this year was on my door step. I knew it would bring out every knobhead under the sun who doesn't understand the sport at all. It's bad enough seeing half of the followers of night rallying in wales

I'm really annoyed with myself now for being sucked in by all the MSA hype propaganda and colorful advertising.

It was actually quite upsetting to see the chaos and total and unbelievable lack of adequate organisation. The marshals were generally speaking...fraught.

 

No doubt some mealey mouthed MSA spokesperson will come on and explain that they are a victim of their own success, and weren't expecting so many to attend, utter diabolical clowns.

 

Of course, we all know what they're up to< i mean why let 150,000 (+ probaly) avid supporters and enthusiastic mainly genuine fans travel around three countries for 48 hours, spending vast amounts of money on fuel and pumping much needed money into remote towns villages and communities, when THEY can cream tens of thousands of pounds off the now few that can afford to pay for their rip off WRC Rally Passes?

 

Prawn sandwich anyone? 

 

 

p.s. I overheard some 'official' stating that this venue will never be used again, and i suspect the National Trust will be quite pleased about that.

Edited 16 November, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

I'm so glad I decided 4 years ago I would never watch rally gb again. Even though this year was on my door step. I knew it would bring out every knobhead under the sun who doesn't understand the sport at all. It's bad enough seeing half of the followers of night rallying in wales

 

 I too have stayed away from the over priced badly organised event, it is just not worth the hassle, I mean, just ask Mr Ree!

 

 I now follow the Historic rallies instead, MK 1 Escorts, Saabs and even the odd Skoda thrown in there, Bull Dog Rally, Track Rod, Pirelli International, Mid Wales, The Plains, Corracle Stages in Sweet Lamb and so on.

 

 Check out This web site with all the events on it. ITSMYMOTORSPORT

I'm so glad I decided 4 years ago I would never watch rally gb again. Even though this year was on my door step. I knew it would bring out every knobhead under the sun who doesn't understand the sport at all. It's bad enough seeing half of the followers of night rallying in wales

It did.

 

Handbrake turns in the car park anyone?

I'm a night rally and historic road rally fan.

I've hated how they've advertised rallying as a type of racing which it isn't. There only directly competing with the clock

 I too have stayed away from the over priced badly organised event, it is just not worth the hassle, I mean, just ask Mr Ree!

 

 I now follow the Historic rallies instead, MK 1 Escorts, Saabs and even the odd Skoda thrown in there, Bull Dog Rally, Track Rod, Pirelli International, Mid Wales, The Plains, Corracle Stages in Sweet Lamb and so on.

 

 Check out This web site with all the events on it. ITSMYMOTORSPORT

SSSSSSO much looking forward to the Grizedale Stages in just two weeks time to help erase this expensive nightmare of a day I've just had

These are better anyway, rear wheel drive and plenty of revs!

 

Chris Nixon.

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/swivelonit/5089054642/

 

And the Corracle stages, some close up action.

 

^^^ indeed..

 

I mentioned to young Ree about the fact that these wrc cars all sound so much the same, and I had to ask him what manufacturer they were when they went past too 

Never had those problems with the Stratos, 6R4, Quattro, Escort, and T16 ....to name but a few. 

Edited 16 November, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

Those were the days, I remember standing on the dock road in Liverpool at stupid o'clock in the morning watching the group B cars leave to go out to the stages.

 

 Incredible.

Those were the days, I remember standing on the dock road in Liverpool at stupid o'clock in the morning watching the group B cars leave to go out to the stages.

 

 Incredible.

You take some pretty damned tidy piccies btw.

Those were the days, I remember standing on the dock road in Liverpool at stupid o'clock in the morning watching the group B cars leave to go out to the stages.

 

 Incredible.

We'll no doubt be accused of being a pair of old fossils yearning for the 'good ole days'.

 

Fact of the matter actually IS, that in rally terms, THEY WERE, and I'm so happy and grateful to admit  that I was around to witness them for many years all over the country!

 

I was almost embarrassed to be at Chirk today tbh.

Edited 16 November, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

Thanks Mr Ree, just a hobby of mine.

 

As for being a fossil, 41 next week, so not too old..     

Thanks Mr Ree, just a hobby of mine.

 

As for being a fossil, 41 next week, so not too old..     

A hobby with talent I'd say.

 

Correct. 41 and yer still a babee! 

Might have done better to head north to see the Roger Albert last weekend. I was on 81 radio & RalliTrak duties on all three days, saw a total of 100 spectators on one of the Friday night stages near Pickering, absolutely zilch on Saturday in Kielder or Newcastleton on Sunday, all designated spectator stages. For those who ventured out, car parking was £20 per car & all weekend rally passes were available which covered all parking charges. Give the WRC a by-pass next year, come to the best forests in the UK in Yorkshire, Northumberland & the Scottish Borders, see some real action at reasonable prices.

thedinger makes a very bold statement about the best stages, I have to concur as Kielder is a fantastic venue and has been known to be a car killer.  I have said it before that the smaller club stage rallies are much better from a spectator point of view.

Might have done better to head north to see the Roger Albert last weekend. I was on 81 radio & RalliTrak duties on all three days, saw a total of 100 spectators on one of the Friday night stages near Pickering, absolutely zilch on Saturday in Kielder or Newcastleton on Sunday, all designated spectator stages. For those who ventured out, car parking was £20 per car & all weekend rally passes were available which covered all parking charges. Give the WRC a by-pass next year, come to the best forests in the UK in Yorkshire, Northumberland & the Scottish Borders, see some real action at reasonable prices.

I was! 

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/293672-rac-rally-next-weekend-1011-anyone/

 

SS18/9 Craik, J4

Had to fight back and control  ONE spectator all day long.

Edited 16 November, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

I have not been to rally GB since 2001, for all the above reasons, with no intention of going back.

Not just me being grumpy.

 

 

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=42&t=1343156&mid=0&i=40&nmt=Wales+Rally+GB&mid=0

 

Many angry spectators there. So glad I got out early as it seems quite a few cars were damaged in the car park mud pit.

I shall be sending a scathing email to the msa regarding this dangerous shambolic disgrace of a 'family friendly' event, and will sit back calmly and wait for the reply, ha!

Edited 17 November, 201312 yr by Mr Ree

I agree that a lot of people just go there to see the cars, without any actual idea of what is going on or who any of the drivers are.

 

I'm from Wrexham, so it was on my doorstep too. They had scrutineering at my place of work, so that was weird to see happening! However, I didn't bother going to any of the stages purely because it was obvious how stupidly busy it was going to be. I popped to the service park at Toyota last night, but it was all just a spectacle to rip people off with stupidly overpriced merchandise and the like. Usual really!

 

Whilst some of the marshalls may not have been the best, I think everyone needs to remember that these guys volunteer to do it. Without them, there would be no rally at all! Possibly part of the reason for the chaos might be in part due to a shortage of people volunteering....   I never have personally, but I do wonder whether I should for the odd event, as it helps to keep the sport going.

 

I have a lot of respect for marshalls in all types of motorsport, who do it in part for this very reason.

 

I suppose when you have something of this scale, it's actually impossible to stop people coming and therefore causing said traffic jams...  Personally, I was happy enough to sit on my sofa and watch it on the TV rather than freezing my t*ts off waiting for a 10 second glimpse of a car.

The idiots weren't only up in the North!

 

We had some prat in a Yeti force his way passed the security guard on one of the access routes into Hafren, by saying his Guest Pass gave he access to everywhere, parked in a restricted area and then lit a fire to cook his lunch. Even when approached politely he was most objectionable.
 

The fire was sorted out with a bucket of ditch water, as was his lunch. His Pass number has been passed to HQ so he won't get one next year, and his car reg has been passed to the FC Manager for further action!

 

Other than that we saw about 100 spectators who all behaved themselves reasonably well, although there were some reports of a few rowdy people with fireworks elsewhere in the forest. There seemed to be less of the early morning boozers this year, thankfully. I even managed to have a chat with Gwyndaf and get his autograph on the Programme.

 

It does seem that Chirk Castle was a bit stupid, and I hope that all those affected right to IMS to complain, rather than the MSA. I do feel sorry for the marshalls that had to deal with it. As said they are volunteers, and to be threatened, as some were, is totally unacceptable.

 

One thing that has disgusted me is the amount of rubbish that people have left behind. Everything from tents and gazebos to bottles and disposable BBQ's. Every spectator area was provided with plenty of bins but many seem to have been ignored. Do they realise that it is up to the marshalls to clear their crap up?

 

Mid Point Safety, J13, Hafren.

I agree that a lot of people just go there to see the cars, without any actual idea of what is going on or who any of the drivers are.

 

I'm from Wrexham, so it was on my doorstep too. They had scrutineering at my place of work, so that was weird to see happening! However, I didn't bother going to any of the stages purely because it was obvious how stupidly busy it was going to be. I popped to the service park at Toyota last night, but it was all just a spectacle to rip people off with stupidly overpriced merchandise and the like. Usual really!

 

Whilst some of the marshalls may not have been the best, I think everyone needs to remember that these guys volunteer to do it. Without them, there would be no rally at all! Possibly part of the reason for the chaos might be in part due to a shortage of people volunteering....   I never have personally, but I do wonder whether I should for the odd event, as it helps to keep the sport going.

 

I have a lot of respect for marshalls in all types of motorsport, who do it in part for this very reason.

 

I suppose when you have something of this scale, it's actually impossible to stop people coming and therefore causing said traffic jams...  Personally, I was happy enough to sit on my sofa and watch it on the TV rather than freezing my t*ts off waiting for a 10 second glimpse of a car.

 

 

I know, and felt so sorry for them. You could see the anxiety in some of their faces, and you could almost feel the fear in some too. A truly nasty experience for them to endure.

I would most definitely NOT liked to have been in their unfortunate position.

 

I hold my hands up to having a 'moment' with one officious hv jacketed prat however, who tried to prevent me from crossing the road, even though I'd already walked across the bridge from hell.

Told him when he held his arm out at me, that my son was in front of me and I needed to be with him, but he wouldn't have it, telling me the stage was about to re-commence and to get back over the bridge.

Told him to stop being so stupid, as it was further to walk back than to go forward, and barged past him.

The idiots weren't only up in the North!

 

We had some prat in a Yeti force his way passed the security guard on one of the access routes into Hafren, by saying his Guest Pass gave he access to everywhere, parked in a restricted area and then lit a fire to cook his lunch. Even when approached politely he was most objectionable.

 

The fire was sorted out with a bucket of ditch water, as was his lunch. His Pass number has been passed to HQ so he won't get one next year, and his car reg has been passed to the FC Manager for further action!

 

Other than that we saw about 100 spectators who all behaved themselves reasonably well, although there were some reports of a few rowdy people with fireworks elsewhere in the forest. There seemed to be less of the early morning boozers this year, thankfully. I even managed to have a chat with Gwyndaf and get his autograph on the Programme.

 

It does seem that Chirk Castle was a bit stupid, and I hope that all those affected right to IMS to complain, rather than the MSA. I do feel sorry for the marshalls that had to deal with it. As said they are volunteers, and to be threatened, as some were, is totally unacceptable.

 

One thing that has disgusted me is the amount of rubbish that people have left behind. Everything from tents and gazebos to bottles and disposable BBQ's. Every spectator area was provided with plenty of bins but many seem to have been ignored. Do they realise that it is up to the marshalls to clear their crap up?

 

Mid Point Safety, J13, Hafren.

I would most willingly have paid a £25  entrance fee just to witness that! 

How did he react, and what did he say?

Last time I saw bits of the rally the service park was near Llangyfelach. For what I remember it was cheap to get in and everyone who went to stages enjoyed. Then they made the mistake of moving it to Swansea SA1 then Cardiff. Like Goodwood it's gone too commercialised and now anyone can get in.

Not a lot Victor, but I think he realised that a dozen marshalls, a Recovery Ambulance crew and a Doctor were more than he could cope with. To say he wasn't happy would be an understatement as he kicked the remains back into the trees.

Prat!!