how do I become a rally driver?

To become a driver I would first suggest that you do a few rallies as a navigator as A) it is less expensive and B) you will learn the areas where a driver must stop and get the time cards signed etc. Also I would agree that you should join your local club as it is there that you will find details of good navigators etc. As I am and have been a navigator for more than ten years I would suggest that you contact motorsport ireland for further details and ignore the advice given by the previous genious who seems to know nothing about rallying.

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Originally Posted by Bolton Midnight

Sponsors, do you mean?

Do you really think the sponsors give a moments thought to a few bobble hatters stood mid stage?

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Don't spectate, marshal then you would be helping the sport.

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Do spectators not pay for entrance to the stages in your country?

At least, every rally I've ever been to in NZ I've had to buy a ticket. Surely the money spectators provide helps the event.

No most events they just turn up and are a royal pain in the arse.

Due to drunken speccies Ireland could lose closed road events, it's happened before.

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Originally Posted by Bolton Midnight

No most events they just turn up and are a royal pain in the arse.

Due to drunken speccies Ireland could lose closed road events, it's happened before.

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Don't know what events you go to but I seem to pay at pretty much everything. Even though Epynt is only about 5 quid per car there is still income there.

I assume you drive and obviously have never had to be pushed out of a ditch. SOME speccys are a pain in the arse but there are others of us that don't get in the way and will gladly lend a hand in helping competitors.

Last time we needed pushing out, the speccies who hadn't paid a penny didn't want to get their trainers dirty.

Car parking fees usually go to those who man the car parks like the local cadets etc.

By and large and yes there are exceptions but most cases speccies are just an annoyance.

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Originally Posted by Bolton Midnight

Last time we needed pushing out, the speccies who hadn't paid a penny didn't want to get their trainers dirty.

Car parking fees usually go to those who man the car parks like the local cadets etc.

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I find that I have to wear gumboots when going rally spectating. I guess I'd stand out at European events if I wore them?

At the local rally I went to last month I didn't have to pay for parking, just parked on the side of the road a few metres from the stage, and then we paid for tickets separately. Of course, at the WRC event we have to pay for paddock parking sometimes, but even then we pay for that separately to entry fees for the stage.

I think charging for car parking is the safer option as I believe if you charge to watch the rally the organisers are more liable when one of these goon speccies get themself run over by standing in the wrong place or wandering about drunk in the road.

Surely you have to accept though that without spectators rallying wouldn't exist. Most marshalls, drivers, organisers, mechanics etc. etc. start by going to watch before starting to take part in some way.

I agree that there are morons out there that go to watch but at places like Epynt they are in the minority with most people being proper rally fans who know of the dangers.

I suppose if you do the more easily accesible rallies (Bournemouth in my area is one such event) there are far more of the 'inappropriate footwear) brigade. Me, I'll have my walking boots on.

As for drinking on events I've never done it but again not all people having a beer are numpties. Some Irish lads on the Wyedean were stood next to us but far from being d**kheads they were stood in a reasonable spot and even fixed a car's radiator and gave up their drinking water to fill it.

To be honest it's all on the slide at the minute, Colin McRae computer games and media coverage made it open to the masses, but there are some of us out there who have been raised around rallying and (I hope) hasve a bit of common sense.

At WRC or maybe even BRC level yes agreed, but at Nat B and Nat A levels it doesn't really matter.

Spectators r important at National level what are you goin on about :eek: