how do I become a rally driver?

[Rallyst3ve]

Bolton Midnight
Watched a few, found it boring really, would be doing it or helping out rather than just watching it.

Doesnt sound much like you like rallying really which rallies were these??????
R u a co-driver???????
Spectators pay too!

[Bolton Midnight]

I don't like watching others do it, would rather be doing it myself. Think of porn would rather be doing it or just watching it wishing you were doing it?

Last time I speccied I think was Pirelli or Malcolm Wilson in about 1993.

Done a bit of everything, organising, driving and now co-driving.

[MrJan]

Unlike you I quite like watching rallying. I'm not mechanically good enough to run my own car (nor have the money or garage space) and definately couldn't afford to repair any prangs. At the minute I'll compete only in sprints, there's no other cars (like in circuit racing) and the scenery is fairly distant should I choose to chuck it off.

As for marshalling, the thought of getting up earlier, leaving later and seeing less doesn't really appeal to me. For now I'll stick to standing in sensible places, helping drivers if necessary and generally enjoying rallying.

[Bolton Midnight]

Just as well everyone doesn't think like you as there wouldn't be any rallies for you to watch if they did.

See what I mean about speccies not really contributing just taking from the sport.

[MrJan]

Just as well everyone doesn't think like you as there wouldn't be any rallies for you to watch if they did.

See what I mean about speccies not really contributing just taking from the sport.

Not everyone lives in such a rubbish rallying area as me. If I lived somewhere closer to the events that I attend then I'd probably be a marshall more often.

As for not driving, it's something that is largely down to cost. If I chuck a car in the scenery then I don't have the money to either store it where there is space to work, nor actually pay out to fix it. Add to that knowing several people who have had big rallying accidents (one bloke suffered from a fractured vertebrae) then I'm not so keen on competing. For me it's much nicer to be on a track where I know the route and it's a bit more predictable (although there will always be a risk element, that's why we do it).

And I do contribute to the sport, albeit not in the greatest way. As we've been through already sponsors wouldn't be interested if no one watched the sport and I pay entry to most events. As someone on a fairly small wage I find it difficult to travel to events and there is no way that I could stay in a hotel or b&b. If I go to watch at Epynt then I have to get up around 6 to get there by about 10, if I was marshalling then it would be quite a lot worse and I'm not willing to suffer (and risk a car accident on the way home). There are people out there that WILL do that, and well done to them, but just because you whinge on doesn't mean that I'll do it.

Just because I choose to compete in a different form of motorsport I don't see why you should have your arse in a cramp. I don't leave litter, I don't stand in the way, I don't distract drivers on purpose and I'm happy to help out with a driver in trouble.

[janvanvurpa]

Just as well everyone doesn't think like you as there wouldn't be any rallies for you to watch if they did.

See what I mean about speccies not really contributing just taking from the sport.

I really fail to understand how it can be considered "just taking" if somebody happens to watch your car zoom by sideways?

If the speccies aren't paying fees for parking---that go to the farmer and buys some peace-- or paying top get onto stages, then they are actually just NEUTRAL and their presence is no more than a rock or a tree. (eg "Don't hit 'em ferchrissakes!").

If they were standing by the stage and they averted their glance when you went by, or closed their eyes just for your car, would they be "just taking" something?
And who is it they are taking what from?
Confused in Seattle.

[Bolton Midnight]

If you and all the other speccies didn't go to Epynt or anywhere else for that matter it would make the organisers job a lot easier.

The general idea is not to chuck your car off.

So the cars you see at Epynt, how much custom have you given to their sponsors? If I had a tyre fitter in Bolton on my car would you come up and get some tyres from them, of course you wouldn't.

No arse in a cramp (whatever that means) just think you should marshal rather than just watch.

On Saturday did Swansea Bay, 100mph+ down a forrest and there they are speccies in the middle of the road, maybe I should have stopped and asked them to buy some tyres from our sponsor?

[MrJan]

Of course I wouldn't drive to Bolton to buy tyres because I live about 3 hours away. However I have bought stuff from sponsors of drivers that I've seen on Epynt, and as a direct result of seeing their name on a car. Likewise I take my car to a mechanic who I've seen competing on Epynt (amongst other places).

I've given my reasons for not marshalling very often and I think that they are reasonable, and it's true that the organisers would find it easier if there were no speccies, be even easier without drivers though