Somerset stages rally

[JuZ]

I too made the trip down into deepest Somerset for an unusual rally experience, firstly it was unusual thanks to an over officious marshal, who, so concerned with our safety refused to allow us up to where we wanted to shoot from ( the same location as last year ) then changed his mind and said we knew best ( for once in his tiny existence he was correct ) who then only 60 seconds later drove his Peugeot 306 estate past us on the rev limiter! ( possibly trying to scare us, but for those of us who've tried to outrun Marcos Dodds Hyundai Accent WRC in the past we don't scare easily )
Secondly it was an unusual event as I came away with sunburn, not a common occurence for a rally tog!

Anyway enough waffle, photos.

1. Little photogenic Citroen early on.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a20/juz13/Somerset%20stages/JUZ_2888copy.jpg

2. Ka driven with gusto, a little too much judging by it's condition
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a20/juz13/Somerset%20stages/JUZ_2948copy.jpg

3. Hyundai Accent WRC, see I don't always run the other way!
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a20/juz13/Somerset%20stages/JUZ_2964copy.jpg

4. Mk2 Escort, sideways of course
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a20/juz13/Somerset%20stages/JUZ_3163copy.jpg

5. One of those new fangled Subaru things waving its paw at me
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a20/juz13/Somerset%20stages/JUZ_3035copy.jpg

6. Down the throat of a Focus WRC
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a20/juz13/Somerset%20stages/JUZ_2987copy.jpg

7. Another Mk2 nearly clipping the fence that I'd been behind when it was clipped!
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a20/juz13/Somerset%20stages/JUZ_3087copy.jpg

8. Beautiful old Audi
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a20/juz13/Somerset%20stages/JUZ_3172copy.jpg

[jbanbury]

Excellent photos JuZ.

I was hearing stories about some over zealaous marshalls. Thankfully all the guys near me were out for a good time and were pretty laid back.

[Paul C-J]

really like 5 dude , its got some charicter... does look like you were very close though!

[darren h]

Nice shots Juz, 3 & 7 for me

[gkwood]

Nice shots Juz Like them all hard to pick one out as being best:rolleyes:

[chrispons]

Think I like the yellow Escort best,but all excellent quality.

[GSH]

Luvvly jubbly !

Has to be either the Accent (run!) or Focus for me.
It never ceases to amaze me how Hyundai took a horrible family saloon and created a WRC car that sounds like Farmer Barleymow's shotgun on steroids..

[Tobias N]

I think #4 is the best, nice sharpness and i like the colors.

[Cadwell]

These are very nice, Juz. I am pleased to see that the scary man in his 306 didn't make your camera hand shaky! #7 is my favourite from this group with a mark II in typical sideways, opposite lock pose plus a wheel cocked.

Actually I thought the rally was rather poorly run. The chatter on the MSA rally frequency made it clear that they were very much making it up as they went along with a lot of confusion reigning and the bloody helicopter they had buzzing overhead (I don't know who's bright idea that is) makes it extremely dangerous to be on stage since you can't hear the cars coming. At one point we had two "safety marshals" wander past and ask us if we'd spotted a car which had fallen of the road some time before... err... no, we hadn't. They disappeared off down the stage but I suspect they were on the wrong one. The crowning glory of the day was when a serious accident was called in which the caller believed needed medical assistance and they put the doctors car and emergency rescue vehicles into the wrong stage. Had the driver / codriver been seriously injured the subsequent delay whilst the rescue kit drove aimlessly around the wrong bit of forest could have had tragic consequences.

[Ian_H]

All great shots Juz and very had to pick a favourite, the light and colours look great.


Cheers
Ian

[Simon Harrison]

Great selection JuZ. The lighting and exposure on these is about as good as it gets IMHO. I'm going to go with #1 and #2 out of this selection. I also find the little C2 to be very photogenic, and the dappled sunlight really sets it off. Not often you see a Ford Ka that sideways either!

Cheers,

Simon.

[JuZ]

Thanks chaps :)

[AzzA]

Great stuff JuZ. You've got this rallying lark down to a tee bud. You sure you don't bring a shovel and dig a hole everywhere you go? Always get some nice low angles :)



Actually I thought the rally was rather poorly run. The chatter on the MSA rally frequency made it clear that they were very much making it up as they went along with a lot of confusion reigning and the bloody helicopter they had buzzing overhead (I don't know who's bright idea that is) makes it extremely dangerous to be on stage since you can't hear the cars coming. At one point we had two "safety marshals" wander past and ask us if we'd spotted a car which had fallen of the road some time before... err... no, we hadn't. They disappeared off down the stage but I suspect they were on the wrong one. The crowning glory of the day was when a serious accident was called in which the caller believed needed medical assistance and they put the doctors car and emergency rescue vehicles into the wrong stage. Had the driver / codriver been seriously injured the subsequent delay whilst the rescue kit drove aimlessly around the wrong bit of forest could have had tragic consequences.

Jeez. Spectating rallies is all about hearing the cars coming. Would be crazy not being able to hear them coming :eek: Thanksfully the only 2 rallies I go to - The Tempest and Sunseeker seem very well organised to me.