I know I'm biased, but they should just give the rally back to Western Australia OR give up the round and let NZ run it every year, it'll be the best thing for rallying as a whole.
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I know I'm biased, but they should just give the rally back to Western Australia OR give up the round and let NZ run it every year, it'll be the best thing for rallying as a whole.
How do they plan on stopping people from going to other parts of a stage?
There will be ridiculous numbers of Police, the law which allows the WRC event in Aus only states that Police can ask you to move to a safe area. But they would probably try and arrest you for trespassing. It's crazy man.
Theres only 3 spectator points per day, and you need a different ticket to go to each point. Which would get expensive very quickly to go to all points. Some spectator points are on the same stage as well..
Daniel i think you are right. Nor are you particularly biased. Yes bring it back to the West Coast or just let NZ have it. I honestly think I've enjoyed NZ far more then Perth. And I've only done NZ twice! Perth about 6+ times.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Any ideas for stage times/start/finish?
I want to catch a flight on Sunday at 4.20pm local time out of CH..... think the rally will be done by the afternoon? Not fussed about podium... rather get winner stage end :D
Yeah I'd day you would be fine. Normally all done by mid afternoon. I'll check the powerstage timeQuote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Trust me, in Australia, our hands are tied about spectators freedom of movement. It is in fact often more of a hindrance, having to organise set spectator points and patrolling other areas for unauthorised spectating. In many ways these set points are an extra cost burden to set up and control rather than a money making venture. In this country we are hampered by insurance company demands and nanny state health and safety concerns. Too many knee jerk reactions to past incidences have seen more and more regulation and policy demands on this sport. Alas common sense of the average fan can no longer be trusted and we must make do with the situation we have despite whether or not we like it.Quote:
Originally Posted by tommeke_B
New Zealand is fantastic, I'd say it's better than Perth by a little bit, but both are far better than having it in the eastern states.Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
NZ : Free to roam with the Sheep (and other livestock)
NZ best Daniel! But I'm still excite for this year!
Apparently live coverage on ONE HD from 2-5pm... So hope nothing will be really "Live" hahQuote:
Originally Posted by 6789
Powerstage will begin at 15:30, which would be too late for you as you would need to be at the airport by around this time. Even if you left the Powerstage as the first car started, you would not be able to drive back to the airport (at least, legally) in time. If you were lucky you would catch only the first few cars, but not the rally leaders due to the reverse running order format.Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Quote:
Originally Posted by Livewireshock
Definitely. IIRC some spectator in WA got hit by a rock in the head and the rest is history. Also, I don't really feel that a lot of Australians really get rallying and quite understand the dynamics of a corner and what a car could potentially do. Can't remember which year (it was the year the Fabia debuted in Australia), but there was a spectator point set up on the outside of a fairly quick corner and I was talking to a few people at the point who thought it was clearly a stupid place to stand, anyway long story short the WRCars ran wider and wider on the corner so the spectators thankfully got moved on and by the time the group N's came through the little bank on the outside which was helping to keep the cars on the road got worn away and the cars were now getting dangerously close to where the people were standing previously. Anyone who really knew rallying would never have put a spectator point there, it was that obvious.
When I went to NZ the spectator areas were MUCH better and much more safely laid out. It really was win win, you got to see more and you were safer.
Having been to Finland you really do notice how many people in Australia simply don't "get" rallying.
And if I'm honest the New Zealanders are nicer, friendler people too! I say this as an Australian too! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
I leave Monday, it is!! Not missing the final stage!!Quote:
Originally Posted by Livewireshock
Amen, extremely nice to foreigners!Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
I have heard about the rock incident before, hopefully we will be able to enjoy the rally as spectators.
Fan built website created by forum member - MSP AU, about spectator access to Rally Australia. It includes many 360 degree panoramas, photos, maps and directions to help people navigate the various ticket options and what to expect at each site. Updates happening as planned improvements to the spectator areas are made.
RallySpectator.com.au
i must say this is THE BEST fan made rally guide ever...Quote:
Originally Posted by Livewireshock
the person who put all this work together is a fine example for the human race to follow.
THANK YOU.
(now put a gun in his head and force him to do the same for the other 11 rounds)
Thanks for posting Graeme. A team effort, thank you for all your contributions and help on the recce, maps and ideas.Quote:
Originally Posted by Livewireshock
I recommend fans sign up to the newsletter, more updates on the way..
Ridiculous......How not to run a Rally!!Quote:
Originally Posted by 6789
It could be worse, Rally Japan required individual tickets for each and every stage. There are various reasons for how and why matters are the way they are. We just have to live with them and make the most of the situation we are forced to live with.Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
I know I sound like a broken record, but WA just did it better and was a much more unique event with people overseas enjoyed. To people on the forum rally Australia is just another rally now.....Quote:
Originally Posted by Livewireshock
Surely that is what a WRC event is meant to be.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
I wholeheartedly agree! :) The one thing which I can't stress enough was the slipperiness of the ball bearing gravel in Western Australia :)Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyRAC
Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
Daniel, while many people will agree with you about Rally Australia being based in Western Australia, the fact remains that your state government gave it away and the New South Wales government stepped up to support the event. Thus it out of the hands of rally fans or sporting officials. We can not support the event with out government funding not matter what we like. It is common for many events around the world. Rally Ireland was hampered by not using the best possible roads as stages, due to a political decision to split it exactly 50-50 across the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel
The Coffs Coast Rally has been a great event in the ARC for decades with fine quality roads, so I feel that it is unfair to talk down this year's Rally Australia before it happens. There are some fantastic stages that have always proven to be a real challenge, Shipmans, Martells and Plum Pudding will be great. Racing up and down the Dorrigo escarpment will be interesting too. Australia native forest rallying on Friday, using farmland roads on Saturday before returning to the forest on Sunday with the power stage in a pine plantation.
Given time, I believe that this rally can be noted for it's unique character too. You can hardly compare it to the last WA event in 2006 after 19 rallies, having worked out many issues and trying different things. Comparing it to WA in 1989, back then many rally people thought Australia would be "just another forest rally".
Great feedback, thank you. No need to use a gun, happy to do some more of this if times allows and I can get the support.Quote:
Originally Posted by N.O.T
The first WRC round for me was in Perth, and I just love that side of the country. I was parked in by someone at a stage for several hours, so never made the famous jumps at Bunnings. It would be great to see the event in WA, but as Graeme has said, give Coffs a chance to prove itself. I have a real passion for the area, and after driving the roads many times over, I'm confident the drivers will have a lot to say about the high standards of the roads. Add the compact nature of the event, the SSS on the waterfront and it has a lot going for it.
Ticketing is not ideal, and it will be interesting to see what impact this has on traffic between stages. Spectating areas are generally of high quality, so I expect people to be happy to spent longer at them. Those who aren't will just have to spend more money to have the option to chase the cars. After a successful event, maybe the next round here will have improved ticketing? After the issues around the last round in 2009, I'm just appreciative of the WRC returning.
I spoke with one of the people that assisted with this guide last night, and they have put in an entry into the classics after the drive over the course. Once you see, drive and experience the roads then you really would like to be driving! For those of us who don't have that option, spectating is the next best thing.
Australia has some very unique attractions, and while I love Rally New Zealand, the people, ticketing and roads, nothing is going to stop me making the most of our home round. I encourage others to do the same, and enjoy the unique aspects that Coffs Coast has to offer. Looking forward to seeing everyone have a great time, and making the most of what we have the privilege of experiencing.
+1
Anyone can guess the weather?
I'm hoping for Mud! :D
Should be fairly dry at that time of year. However if it does rain, it will could be quite heavy rain. The roads themselves though are fairly tough, hard packed and will not be greatly affected. Having driven many of the stages, there is not a great deal of mud along them, but you would get some very soft edges in some areas. There are several water crossings on Friday that would become quite deep with excess rainfall, they are certainly deep now.Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
If anyone is venturing inland, especially Fridays stages, it can get very cold and weather in the Orara Valley and up to Dorrigo can be in complete contrast to Coff Harbour. So while the guys at the service park might be in sunshine and thinking of taking the short walk to the beach, the inland stages could be 10 degrees colder and wet.
However, fine Spring weather is the most likely scenario and should be dry for most of the week.
YAY!
I live in Armidale, so know all to well about the cold weather.. Def pack a jumper and long pants for the stages inland :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Livewireshock
Kimi didn't start in Australia
Nice work there but Sorry, I'm still going to NZ instead :D
It was nice to hear Henning Solberg commit his intentions about competing in Australia on World Rally Radio. There was some doubt about it and his name was left off the FIA entry list but he was on a Rally Australia list.
Yes, NZ 2012 for me too!
And Australia 2011!
tehehehhehe :D
Official - Kimi to skip Rally Australia!
World Rally Championship - News - Raikkonen to skip Rally Australia
Oh well, didn't need to see a boring driver at this round!
Any driver must be welcome.
You are happy, that there are less WRC´s to watch?Quote:
Originally Posted by GigiGalliNo1
Good point. Sometimes it feels like this forum is sunday-spectators forum...Quote:
Originally Posted by pantealex
I received today a signed postcard from the Australian motorcycle racer Mitchell Pirotta and the card was completely wet (here it is dry).Quote:
Originally Posted by 6789