Forest Rally

Despite having a cold and not feeling my best it was out into the Forest of Dean this Saturday just passed for what used to be called the Wyedean Stages, the first BTRDA rally of the year. I have been following the rally for over ten yrs now and it never fails to deliver. This year there was lots of drama as the drivers pushed their cars to the limits on stages which for a nice change were not covered with snow.

I want to start this post with a little humour. The car below came around a corner on the first of the two serridge stages, unfortunately the driver lost it a bit and ended up "off roading".

Not very amusing I hear you say.

But take a look at one of his sponsors, could he have been trying to drum up clients?

There were a number of "offs" during the rally the worst of which halted the Speech house stage for quite some time. The driver of car 305 had to be transported off the rally by the rescue ambulance. I believe he was not injured too badly and hope he recovers quickly. the amazing capabilities of these vehicles in accidents should never be underestimated. These may look like road cars but the roll bars fitted internally are there for a very good reason. Form the side the vehicle doesn't look too bad.

But then take a look from the back, the point of impact.

The rear end is pushed in by a good two feet, It truly is amazing that both driver and co-driver got out of this relatively unscathed.

That aside there was a good days racing and below are a few of the many action shots I tried to capture in very often dull conditions.

Andy Burton is usually a high place finisher in his Peugeot Cosworth but this year he failed to finish due to engine problems.

Nik Eslmore, the local previous winner only managed third this year In his Mitsubishi.

Hugh Hunter finished 2nd in his Ford Focus.

This years winner was Steve Perez from Chesterfield in his Ford Focus.

I had a great day, made all the better by the company of my brother Alan and my son Lee.

Thanks to everyone involved in the rally, not only the racing folk but also the very many safety officials who all volunteer their services for free.

As always click the pics for bigger versions.

The Wyedean Forest Rally.

Another year another rally. Again the Weather had not been kind and the snow would see the closure of at least one stage.

It was with a feeling of trepidation that my son, his girlfriend, and I set off for the first stage.

I'm going to have my first whinge here. A big issue is made of the parking of the spectators car's in both the press and the rally programme. Drivers are encouraged to park in the official carparks, supporting a charity in doing so. I paid five pounds to park on the carpark at Speculation. I didn't park on the parking area, I had to abandon the car on the track about 50 yds in.

Despite the best efforts of a number of helpers my poor car could not get over the snow and ice. My point is this, it would have only taken a few trips from a tractor or similar up and down the track to make it passable but no effort had been made to ensure safe parking of the vehicles. I was not alone in my dissapointment. I will contact the rally organisers to voice my concern. I have followed the rally since 1997 and I honestly believe that this was the worst year so far for verge side parking on the roads around the forest. I hope that by bringing it to the attention of the organisers that lessons will be learnt.

My second whinge is a lack of information available on the approach to the carparks. The afternoon was due to feature a stage called Mailscot, basically around the area of Christchurch, Hillersland and Staunton. This was cancelled, but there was nothing to suggest this on the approach to Car park B.

So back to the event itself. I enjoyed it, it was fun watching some of the smaller cars battle their way around the first stage. I am told by my son that the winner was local man Nik Elsmore. My congratulations to him and his co-driver and team. I am not aware of any serious accidents or injuries to any competitor or spectator. This must be a good thing.

The Rally Winner, Nik Elsmore. Car No 5.

Last years winner Andy Burton.

Excellent use of the banking to keep you going I thought.

The vintage cars were in a class of their own this year. I loved seeing these old examples.

Car 314, a SAAB 96 V4.

Car 307, a Porche 911.


Car 305, a Volvo amazon?

How did it affect the wildlife? Who knows but I think it'll happen again.