RallyDay 2006 @ Castle Combe

[ukaskew]

Enjoyed a very very wet day at Castle Combe today, don't think I've ever got that wet (was in shorts + t-shirt due to the BBC Weather's prediction of "sun" today!), some stunning cars on show and on track. Sadly I couldn't stay all day so didn't really see any of the paddock and managed to miss every single Cliosporter who I knew would be there!

A few shots to show, my worst efforts of the year though, wasn't really in the mood to be taking pics today...

 

[TELFORDS_LURK]

That focus rally car gets around abit:

Think I saw it in someones Goodwood pics too.

^^^ Autosport this year.

Chris

 

[DH_GTI]

nice pics, i thought the show was s**t, sorry weather didnt help too.

 

[dannyboy172]

t'was a good day, nice pics...i was there and managed to avoid the down poor of rain

 

[ukaskew]

We stayed sat where were around the track, between 12-12:30 it just lashed it down, we covered ourselves with a blanket but got pretty soaked. Missed most of Russ Swift's display which was a shame, couldn't see through the spray though.

The Mitsubishi WRC05 and the red MK1 Escort were both awesome, flying around the feature stage. The WRCs (Focus and Evo) both seemed to be on gravel suspension which I thought was odd.

 

[dannyboy172]

yeah that mk1 red escort was nuts...he proper loved it!

 

[dalla]

Looks like a top day

 

[Turkish]

I got there just about midday so pretty much pissed it down the whole time i was there

 

[caymanr26]

I ad a good day too - pitty about the weather but it meant there were a few spins this afternoon! shall post my pics in a bit

 

[Ash87]

good pics chris, glad i didnt go in the end got wet enough last year

 

[Rain]

that Martini Delta looks great, perfect car even today

 

[Steviant]

Pretty disapointed in the on track action, think this was due to Castle Combe not being great for viewing, and not really suited for rally cars as I'm used to seeing these cars either in a forest or down a tight and twisty bit of tarmac.

It was good to see all the group B stuff in the paddock, and the display of all the Richard Burns Subarus was well organised.

Need to go to Finland or Ireland to see some WRC cars in action now though.

 

[ukaskew]

Pretty disapointed in the on track action, think this was due to Castle Combe not being great for viewing

Really?! Best venue for viewing I've been to in the country. Loads of spots to choose from, virtually everywhere is free from safety fences and you can get very close to the track in places. Echo the comments about the RB5s, had a lump in my throat seeing Burns' Dad leading 50 identical cars around the track.

I admit it was a bit of a glorified track day though, considering cars like the Focus WRC were more than happy to run all day they could have organised something a bit more entertaining aside from the feature stage.

 

[Karen]

Worst ever circuit I've ever viewed from... so much of it is flat I couldn't see a thing. Food/drink facilities lacking... Not much overly interesting track action either.

Not to mention the weather!

Bit disappointing I thought after hearing all the good comments on it before I went!

M4 conditions were dire...

 

[ukaskew]

It was certainly the worst event (in terms of organisation, layout and excessive unrelated track action) I've been to there this year. The usual race days are superb imo, especially if you park your butt at Quarry and stay put for the day.

I love the view though and won't concede that one! You can see 90% of the circuit from the Farm Straight (which is on the far side from the paddock and wasn't being used today for the main action) or pick one of the corners and get very close to the action (Quarry obviously being a favourite, best in the country imo)

The usual atmosphere was lacking too, usually very enthusiastic and knowledgable crowds but today it was (without wishing to sound too much like a corn chewing, cider drinking, tractor driving yocal) full of people you wouldn't normally get at CC.

Saying that I had fun, if only for the cars during the Feature Stage. But the excessive track time was really disappointing, especially considering how brilliant this event has been in previous years.

 

[Steviant]

Really?! Best venue for viewing I've been to in the country. Loads of spots to choose from, virtually everywhere is free from safety fences and you can get very close to the track in places. Echo the comments about the RB5s, had a lump in my throat seeing Burns' Dad leading 50 identical cars around the track.

I admit it was a bit of a glorified track day though, considering cars like the Focus WRC were more than happy to run all day they could have organised something a bit more entertaining aside from the feature stage.

Seriously, C/C as a circuit is fine, for touring/track cars but with sweeping fast corners it isn't the place to watch rally cars. Even with the silly chicanes they put in. Go and watch Lurgan Park, and witness every car flat out, all timed stages, on narrow tarmac in between trees. This simply doesn't compare.

 

[Karen]

The usual atmosphere was lacking too, usually very enthusiastic and knowledgable crowds but today it was (without wishing to sound too much like a corn chewing, cider drinking, tractor driving yocal) full of people you wouldn't normally get at CC.

pmsl I said it looked like a really strange crowd when we were there!!!

 

[Karen]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/5206506.stm

 

[ukaskew]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/wiltshire/5206506.stm

Oddly enough I never noticed a single forecast on Friday that suggested this.

Neither did anyone else judging by the lack of clothing most people exhibited. Typical though, 5 days in a sweltering office with 30+ temperatures everyday, you get to a day off and all hell breaks loose!

 

[Karen]

Oddly enough I never noticed a single forecast on Friday that suggested this.

Neither did anyone else judging by the lack of clothing most people exhibited. Typical though, 5 days in a sweltering office with 30+ temperatures everyday, you get to a day off and all hell breaks loose!

lol Rich posted in the other thread about the possibility iirc! The heat in the morning was unbearable though, not sure what was worse :S

 

[Steviant]

The lack of clothing on some of the people there today was just plain wrong!

:dead:

 

[Turkish]

Wet t-shirts aplenty. It was full of kids morons and chavs sadly not the usual crowd you get there

Despite it not being as good as other events there was plenty of arse out action up at quarry which is where you want to be at coombe really.

 

[Rich]

I have never got so wet for ages! I enjoyed huddling with Loony under a brolly for an hour at Quarry in the rain rain waiting for a met to go out on track.

Nice Shots Chris - we did not get anywhere near the rally stage, glad I took a raincost!

 

[Evandim*]

some great pics there I sticked it out all day and was clever enough to take me brollie which made me very popular and made some new friends lol

 

[Turkish]

I enjoyed huddling with Loony under a brolly for an hour at Quarry in the rain rain waiting for a met to go out on track.

It was so romantic under that pink brolly.

 

[TomS]

Castle Combe is a great place to be and the atmosphere is great...

Had a good morning, left around 1.30ish due to the downpour.... I've been dryer during some of my showers!

Some cool cars there... that Focus was incredible

Getting in for an under 16 was a bonus too! lol

 

[Rich]

LOL @ Tom!

Si glad you like it, I am glad I had my big one out

 

[ukaskew]

Getting in for an under 16 was a bonus too! lol

lol that's classic.

We never had a brolly or anything, me and the missus huddled under a car blanket and sat it out watching Russ Swift. When it eased off and we looked around literally everyone had thrown in the towel and disappeared to shelter!