Vodafone Rally de Portugal 2015

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Originally Posted by MartijnS

Portugal is a really bad rally, if you don't want to be in the spectator zones. Tom is right about that, we went there once and never be back probably.

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It is true that the organization tries that everyone stay in the official areas, but just to avoid problems with security. But as I said, this is not a problem because there is several areas prepared by the organization in every SS, all very different from each other, with all that you need and more.
I see no problem staying in spectator zones, if they are different, spectacular, large and with good conditions, which is definitely the case of Portugal. As a matter of fact, in relation to spectator zones, Portugal should be one of the best events in whole championship.

If you are hardcore rally lover then spectator zones are usually bullshit.finland is an exception since almost everywhere is at least good.

In Finland you won't be shot if you leave them! ;)

That's good, because I'm also going to visit Finland this year :D

Unfortunately this year it will be worse, as the authorities expect much larger crowds.

Anyway in a way I undestand, they have tried throughout the years to give more liberty specially to media, and what happens? Two accidents involving photographers in dangerous places.

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Originally Posted by nafpaktos

If you are hardcore rally lover then spectator zones are usually bullshit.finland is an exception since almost everywhere is at least good.

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Like someone said before, the majority of spectator zones in the south of Portugal were great, and anyone could previously chose them on the rally guide videos.

I'm also a hardcore rally fan and it was a bit difficult accepting to be restrained in a box, but I understand the organizers security concern. A major event like this attracts a lot of silly people that simply don't know how to behave.

MartijnS, you can come to Portugal without fear...shooting season has ended on 1st of March!-)

It is true that there was some organization's obsession with security, for example, keep the largest possible number of people in spectators zones. But all this was due to serious safety problems that happened in the 80's and 90's. Every year the organization becomes increasingly more relaxed about it. We may not have liked much of this attitude, but the truth is that the Rally of Portugal does not have any major problems with security, which is almost a rarity in the entire championship. That said, I think this conversation has been exaggerated from the start. In recent years everyone could go to other locations outside the spectators zone. The only thing that could happen were worse access roads and/or prohibited access due the landowners. Do not worry that no one takes shots because of that or go to jail :). But this year with the move to north, the paradigm will change a little bit... much larger crowds means more flexibility and not the opposite. It seems a paradox, but the organization have no choice...they will have to allow public in other areas and expected that they will behave well. The re-education of security that has been made in recent years will be put into practice now. This will be the biggest test, so there are also risks associated with this change of location to the north. But I believe that everything will go well.
Don't hesitate, if you want to see real passion for rallying, a great party everywhere and massive crowds around all the areas, you must come here and see with your own eyes...
To prove my theory, you will see the amount of people who will be present to see the tests from the official teams that should happen in the coming weeks to prepare the rally.
The expectation and excitement are huge, for sure it will be a memorable weekend. Otherwise, you will be very regret when you see the footage on TV :)... Believe me, you will see crowds that you never seen before...or at least for many years.

We expect that to happen. However I have some doubts that a greater number of public means greater flexibility in security and I think even if it will be a fatal mistake for the organizers of the rally of Portugal.

Marão stage before the works (without rail trails and improvement of the road):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CufGN2sg5rk

Some parts of Viana do Castelo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alGoZFaslhs#t=849

From italy:

Bertelli - Fiesta WRC
Rendina - Lancer EVO X
Vallario - Lancer EVO X
Bresolin - Fiesta R5
Brazzoli - Subaru STi
Linari - Subaru STi
Tempestini - Citroën DS3 R3T
Re - Citroen DS3 R3T
Testa - 208 R2
Andolfi - 208 R2
Crugnola - Clio R3T

http://rallydeportugal.pt/content.as...&eid=1056&bl=1 Press release stating that spectators can only go to public areas.

I would like to deny lot of rumours on the internet during last weeks - Jan Kopecky will NOT start with Fabia R5 in Portugal. It has never been in their plans...

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Originally Posted by PLuto

I would like to deny lot of rumours on the internet during last weeks - Jan Kopecky will NOT start with Fabia R5 in Portugal. It has never been in their plans...

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And Lappi?

I think he will be there.

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Originally Posted by Teardrop

And Lappi?

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Lappi will be there, according to previous plans. More info will be officially available tomorrow ;)

What time is the press conference? Anyone know if it will be transmitted via the net?

I heard the Skoda will be here at Portugal to test, next week. Mondim de Basto / Fafe zone, gravel and tarmac.

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Originally Posted by Reis Eduardo

What time is the press conference? Anyone know if it will be transmitted via the net?

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I dont think it will be transmitted live...

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Originally Posted by Andre Oliveira

I heard the Skoda will be here at Portugal to test, next week. Mondim de Basto / Fafe zone, gravel and tarmac.

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Yes, it is correct, Lappi will test next week in Portugal.

Bernardo Sousa on entry list from Rally of Portugal, with a Peugeot 208 T16. However, we still cannot confirm whether it will be able to do the rally, due to late reply from sponsors.

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Originally Posted by tommeke_B

I was in Portugal 2013 and strongly disagree, for spectators it's the worst event I've been to so far (worse than France-Alsace). Police and marshalls don't have respect for spectators at all, you have a few "boxes" where you are allowed and that's it. At least that was 2013.

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Totally agree i was there in 2013 - the are as ignorant as the Genedarmes in France - but i am still going , but only because i will be there with a team , otherwise ide stay away from it ,too much hassle .

They just follow orders from organization

Question to all those who have already been to the Rally de Portugal and Rally France-Alsace; if you were to compare both safety measures, which one is the strictest?

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Originally Posted by TURBO43

Question to all those who have already been to the Rally de Portugal and Rally France-Alsace; if you were to compare both safety measures, which one is the strictest?

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I've been to Alsace in 2010 (not strict at all), 2011 (more strict) and 2012 (very strict), and to Portugal in 2013 (very strict). In my opinion, from what I experienced, Portugal was worse than Alsace in 2012. It's quite simple, you can go to public areas, nothing more. The public areas in Southern Portugal were not that bad by the way, in most cases there were plenty areas per stage and the visibility was good. Of course this year it's a completely different event, in North, and I expect the safety measures to be even more extreme. If you are not happy with the public areas, you should choose some other event. ;)

Google Earth Map 2015 is online
http://planetemarcus.com/saison-wrc/...portugal-2015/

Hello Guys,
We have been in Rally Portugal once in south and now we will come second time there mainly because rally is now after long time in north. But in south we noticed one problem; official maps were very bad quality. Then we found somewhere some topographical map which were very helpful for us. Do you have any tips where in Internet we could buy now better maps (for example topographical) on that area rally is driving this year?

I'd suggest the Google Earth maps posted by JB just above you. Or else www.rallymaps.com.


BTW, Latvala will have the best starting position by far in Portugal. It will be an interesting rally, especially considering no one will have any experience there (except for Fafe).

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Originally Posted by tommeke_B

I've been to Alsace in 2010 (not strict at all), 2011 (more strict) and 2012 (very strict), and to Portugal in 2013 (very strict). In my opinion, from what I experienced, Portugal was worse than Alsace in 2012. It's quite simple, you can go to public areas, nothing more. The public areas in Southern Portugal were not that bad by the way, in most cases there were plenty areas per stage and the visibility was good. Of course this year it's a completely different event, in North, and I expect the safety measures to be even more extreme. If you are not happy with the public areas, you should choose some other event. ;)

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Wow. What you say makes me afraid :rolleyes:. I wasn't in Alsace in 2012, but I was there in 2013 and 2014. In 2013 it was a drama. Access to stages were closed nearly 20 km before, the gendarmes were very strict, marshalls too. 2013 was the worst year for the French spectators. In 2014, it was slightly better (I must say that I cross mountains to find cool places without marshalls or gendarmes).

I come from Lyon in France, and I'm planning to go to Portugal in may. But all what is said about the security scares me. Do you think, even if I'm outside the public zone, but on a slope of 3 high meters, I will get fired?

By the way, I believe that the organization plans to close access to stages up to 5 hours before the start of the race. I do not imagine the mess it will be ...

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Originally Posted by KumpuTeemu

Hello Guys,
We have been in Rally Portugal once in south and now we will come second time there mainly because rally is now after long time in north. But in south we noticed one problem; official maps were very bad quality. Then we found somewhere some topographical map which were very helpful for us. Do you have any tips where in Internet we could buy now better maps (for example topographical) on that area rally is driving this year?

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http://www.rally-maps.com/Rally-de-Portugal-2015

Marijan Griebel will do Rally of Portugal with Opel Adam R2 but Xavier Pons had an accident and won't be able do compete

Both Esa-Pekka Lappi and Pontus Tidemand are now confirmed entries in Rally Portugal with Skoda Fabia R5-cars.
Entry-list will be official 29/4

There will be 30 public zones (3 or 4 per stage). Public is allowed just there. But this zones are the best spots to see the rally. With support infraestructures, best road access, better visibility and safety. Some of them have cover of about 1 km of stage.
The only problem, if it is really a problem, is the big amount of public.

Hallo guys...

I’m reading on this forum for while. So now it’s time for my first post (I’m nervous :) ) because we are going to spectate rally Portugal. For me, there are one or two questions about this rally.

In general, rally Portugal is for free? We just need tickets for the super special in Lousada. Is that correct?

So now it’s already sure that spectators are just allowed in those public zones. There are no possibilities to escape from those areas along the special stage? So for what I’m reading, it was maybe a mistake to choose this wrc event to watch. It is quite boring, and not my point of view to follow a rally...but flighttickets, car and hotel is already booked...

..and about the Fafe stage. We planned to watch the rally on the infamous nature stand at the short tarmac part before the jump. What do you estimate is the best time to go there without stuck in a traffic jam, Saturday night?

Exactly the same situation like you bearclaw... Car, hotel booked... And if we have to climb mountains to escape big access, public areas, police etc., we will do it. There will be a lot of people, how could they park everybody in 3 areas per stage...

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Originally Posted by TURBO43

...And if we have to climb mountains to escape big access, public areas, police etc., we will do it...

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The north mountains are not that easy to climb, unless you rent a 4x4! This year rally will probably show a massive 4x4 parade. Many of us will be looking for spectators areas alternatives!

Numbers thar I expect on entry list 2015. With the limit of 90 drivers, according to regulation, some of theme might be out
Entry list should be released later today.

. 15 WRC (at least)
. 4 or 5 RRC
. 20 to 25 R5
. +/- 10 N4
. 18 JWRC + 2 Clio R3T
. +/- 5 R2 + Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy

Spectator guide is out now.

Around special stage start and finish heavy amount of closed roads. Let’s see and wait how things will come. But I guess it will be not a relaxed task to escape from public areas. :)

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Originally Posted by RICARDO75

Numbers thar I expect on entry list 2015. With the limit of 90 drivers, according to regulation, some of theme might be out
Entry list should be released later today.

. 15 WRC (at least)
. 4 or 5 RRC
. 20 to 25 R5
. +/- 10 N4
. 18 JWRC + 2 Clio R3T
. +/- 5 R2 + Drive DMACK Fiesta Trophy

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115 entrys. 25 drivers will not be accepted

Entry list is not published yet?

Camilli livery from Oreca

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CD2VfkEW8AAvJJj.jpg