RAC Rally memories Its that time of year!

[AndyRAC]

And today being Monday would be the first proper forest stages; now the real Rally can begin......

[Sal yet again]

Except in 96 if we class that as a "proper" RAC as they went straight into Kershope on Saturday then did the Sunday stages..

[AndyRAC]

Well, yes, that was an 'outlier'. I drove up to Kershope on Friday night, and was unaware of the cold & snow. It was only driving up the M6, and around south Cumbria noticing the hills were white. On arrival at the car park, there was an issue - cars had been directed to the wrong entrance, and it was sheet ice, slightly uphill.....

Managed to see most of the top cars, even Vatanen with his wheel deranged; stayed and watched all cars and came home - and to catch up on the highlights, and didn't bother with the Sunday. Left on Sunday night for Hafren, as Dyfnant was cancelled.
The first car was about 6:00 am, I watched all the cars through, went back to the car for breakfast, and then a long drive through mid/north Wales to the final stage in Clocaenog.

The last time the event ventured north. Looking back, this was a massive error.

[Sal yet again]

Funnily enough was just looking at my photos from that very stage at the weekend. Went up early on the Saturday so parked road side and had a bit of hike in however as you say it was probably easier than trying the official car park! Remember quite a few of the later runners reversing up the hill towards us with outside assistance it really was a baptism of fire for the crews.

At the time it didnt feel like the end of something but now looking back with it just being a round of the F2 Championship that year it kind of drew a line under things for me.

[Fast Eddie WRC]

And today being Monday would be the first proper forest stages; now the real Rally can begin......

And that meant about another 45 stages ahead ! Incredible compared to the later versions of the event and the WRC sprints of today.

[Sal yet again]

Plenty of reminiscing online wherever you look! Dirtfish et al giving the event plenty of love especially 1995 for obvious reasons. Couldn't help myself posting a bit of lament on some of the WRC's sites as felt they need to be reminded of what they have lost..

[Fast Eddie WRC]

RAC 1985... the longest ever...

[Sal yet again]

A year to go until the Roger Albert Clark Rally 2023!

[Sal yet again]

RAC 1985... the longest ever...

Looking at that list of stages so many locations now no more and really miss Wykeham. You used to be able to see the cars in the bowl and then they came up the tarmac hill and it was like a scene out of the Monte.

[AndyRAC]

Yes, too many have been lost. And one fears others will be at risk if they're not used.......(South Wales stages.....)