Wales Rally GB 2010

[handbrakes&hairpins]

This week Wales Rally GB, one of the UK’s largest and most iconic motorsport events, launched its plans for the 2010 event which will run from 11th - 14th November.

Announcements included an all new special stage, which will run in Cardiff Bay and a welcome return to the classic stage in Radnor Forest, near Presteigne, Powys.* The event will be the 13th and final round of the World Rally Championship and a chance for British fans to get up close to the sport on their doorstep.

This year’s Wales Rally GB route provides fans, families and those who are new to the world of rallying with the perfect mix of old and new. For the first time, Cardiff Bay will play host to a special stage which will run twice, on the evenings of Thursday 11th and Saturday 13th November. The timed test of speed and driver skill will run on the Cardiff Bay barrage and into the dock area. It will be ideal for those who want to enjoy the event in Wales’ vibrant capital, particularly young families, as public transport and parking are easily accessible.

For fans who revel in soaking up the nostalgia of this event, the rally will return to Radnor Forest for the first time in 11 years. The ultra fast 15.1 km stage will run twice on Saturday the 13th and promises rally followers plenty of high speed entertainment.

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[AndyRAC]

£99 for a World Rally pass.... it's gone up....

This is minority/niche sport.......not F1, Football.....

[RicKT]

£99 for a World Rally pass.... it's gone up....

This is minority/niche sport.......not F1, Football.....

I agree, I used to love the WRC in the UK when it was the classic England stages, but paying £100 for a full access ticket is too much in my opinion, more so when you look at the costs of the hotels when the event is on, unless you go camping...

Rick

[Francis44]

Should be an awesome event.

[RicKT]

Should be an awesome event.

The event is still good if your watching it on TV, but try getting from stage to stage in Wales, it was a nightmare!! We only managed 2 stages one day due to the issues with getting blocked in, in the car park!

plus... the police are out in force with the speed traps!

[Motorsportfun]

£99 for a World Rally pass.... it's gone up....

This is minority/niche sport.......not F1, Football.....

Andy, the price is quite cheap... if you think that a paddock-pass for a F1 Grand Prix is about 2000 euros! (in the worst race)

No one gives something for free.

[MJW]

The event is still good if your watching it on TV, but try getting from stage to stage in Wales, it was a nightmare!! We only managed 2 stages one day due to the issues with getting blocked in, in the car park!

plus... the police are out in force with the speed traps!

Most rallies these days you will be hard pressed to catch more than 2 stages a day plus possibly a superspecial at the end of the day. Look at the iteniery for any WRC event, NZ for example its get in watch both runs of teh stage and thats the day.
Oh and dont forget to enjoy the speed and spectacle........watching live beats TV coverage by about a million%.

[raybak]

Rally NZ, the last time I went in as a spectator we saw 4 stages in the day.

Rally Oz last year I managed 3 stages but could have done 4 if I tried.

Ray

[AndyRAC]

Andy, the price is quite cheap... if you think that a paddock-pass for a F1 Grand Prix is about 2000 euros! (in the worst race)

No one gives something for free.

Cheap??? You surely can't be serious? You can't compare F1 to WRC - one is a global sport with massive media interest, on TV, Radio, newspapers, magazines.....that's why it's expensive. The other is a minority/niche sport ......comparable to MX, Enduro, etc Until they realise this, the event won't move on.

Saying that, watching it live is another world to on TV. But I'm not sure I can justify paying that much to watch 2 stages a day - works out at £33 a day, £16.50 a stage. Compare that with National events that use the same stages, normally £10 for the day.

[Mintexmemory]

Andy, the price is quite cheap... if you think that a paddock-pass for a F1 Grand Prix is about 2000 euros! (in the worst race)

No one gives something for free.

Actually some do.
Rally Catalunya and Rally Ireland were both free events last year. Those of us who have grown up seeing 'proper' rallying (5-day events) with no charges don't believe that comparisons with F1 (vastly over-priced in the modern era) are valid. Ultimately, why should the Rally Fan subsidise the Citroen and Ford advertising budget? It would be interesting to have a comparison chart of those events that do charge and what you get for your money.
Germany for bronze access is ca. 33% less than Wales