Rallye du Valais 2014

[Criterium]

Maps of 1st day (incl. shakedown):

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Maps of the 2nd day:

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Maps of the 3rd day:

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[dodge33cymru]

Much appreciated sir!

Just out of interest, am I being a moron not finding them on the official website?

Trying to make the decision between visiting Valais and Catalunya. Anyone been to this event that can tell me (a rallying novice) why it's special?

[Criterium]

It is the choice of the responsible of the organization to reserve the detailed maps to the competitors. Maybe he want sale more programs, but I haven't dare so far to ask him...

[Criterium]

And to advise you, I think that there is no contest btween Valais and Catalunya.

Except WRC competitors (and the starting list of the RIV is not trifling this year), you can't compare beautiful mountain swiss roads (with some gravel parts) and Spanish expressways. In addition snowy summits in the bottom are so beautiful !

[dodge33cymru]

Thanks for that advice. I've found some cheap flights to Basel and somewhere to stay, now wondering which stages are the best ones to view at. Any suggestions?

[Criterium]

Basel is not the closest airport. Did you try Geneva ?

For stage suggestions, there are plenty of spots. Les Masses jump in ss5-9 is the most famous. This is the second day and you can complete with the spectator stage of Caserne. The entry is not free like the other stages but 10CHF is not too much and the atmosphere is unique with a lot of spectators).
For first day you can attend the qualifying stage and shakedown at Sion. It is the same place for service park and scrutineering. The afternoon you have to choose one place. It seems difficult to see more except if you watch few competitors in the first spectator area of ss1 (an hairpin) and you go directly to Saint-Romain in ss3. Famous spots are also Aminona hairpin and Anzère corner in ss2. The 3rd spectator area of ss1 could be interesting (We are not sure because the stage is run for the first time): a very quick approach on the wide road and a sudden deviation to a small road "diving" and running to a narrow tunnel.
I recommand a mix in the 3rd day: an hairpin (second spectator area) a the start of ss12 (10min of walk), then ss15 (easiest are Saxon jump or Charat compression in the vineyards, but there are plenty of good spots on the top), then service park in Martigny and cool time at Lourtier water crossing (with additionnal tight corners and panorama on the following climb) for the last afternoon.

[Criterium]

SS5-9
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpTIun5EZq0