Rally Australia This Year

[mrbob]

Having always wanted to go, I decided to pull my finger out and get to Perth this year (even though I can't really afford it!!), as it's the last one!!

Does anyone have any suggestions for me - best day to turn up/leave, accommodation, transport, is it good to be an official as a cheaper way of seeing it etc etc.

Thanks.

[Annatastic]

Originally Posted by mrbob

is it good to be an official as a cheaper way of seeing it etc etc.

Yes, yes it is!
Road Closures are great as you get to see all the action. Had a great time over there in 2004.
I can't remember the officials co-ordination lady, but she was lovely.

[Bogan]

Originally Posted by mrbob

Does anyone have any suggestions for me - best day to turn up/leave, accommodation, transport, is it good to be an official as a cheaper way of seeing it etc etc.

Don't take a Porsche to do road closures in .

Marilyn Vanderbyl or something like that used to be the officials co-ordinator but she's had enough of that gig now.

http://www.rallyaustralia.com.au/one/info_officials.asp

Tell them you're from the east coast and when you will be lobbing up, they can be very accommodating especially if you just want to do road closing or the like.

Recce. volunteering is the way to go if you want to meet the drivers and get autographs and stuff, they're (usually) a lot more relaxed and willing to wave/talk/sign stuff.

T.

[fro]

Originally Posted by Annatastic

I can't remember the officials co-ordination lady, but she was lovely.

In past years it's been Marilyn Vanderbilt (or at least, that's what the voices in my head tell me). I assume she's doing it again this year.

[erk]

Bob, merely talking from a spectator's view from last year I offer the following:



* Base yourself in Perth. It's a long day from leaving Perth around 0530-0600, driving to the stages (within 2 hours drive), watching the action (usually involving some long walks), driving back to Perth (watch out for Marcus Gronholm on the side of the road!) and then heading out to Gloucester Park for the Super Specials. On one of the nights, I didn't go out to the SSS so I went to the service park instead. By this time, you'll want your hotel nice and close....


* You've got 2 options in terms of getting out there. You can hire a car (you won't need a 4WD, last year I got to the parking spots in a Pulsar) and then you can decide where you go and when you go back. The other option is to use the numerous tour options that you have but if you do that, be prepared to spend a lot of coin and you'll basically only get to see the WRC cars as they'll move you around to get to another spot to see them again. You won't get to see many of the privateers or the PWRC (as it was last year) if you see any at all.


* One thing that I am seriously considering this year is the Rally Pass for $199. It can get you into areas that general admission can't (Bunnings Jumps is an example but there are others) and it gets you a grandstand seat at the SSS (you'll need it to get the best view of the SSS) each night as well as access to all the spectator points.


Don't forget that the rally starts Thursday night for the SSS. Last year after the event I stayed in Perth for about 2 weeks but this year I'll probably be coming direct from Indy so I'll probably go home a couple of days later.

[Spac]

Originally Posted by Bogan

Marilyn Vanderbyl ... used to be the officials co-ordinator but she's had enough of that gig now.

Originally Posted by Fro

In past years it's been Marilyn Vanderbilt. I assume she's doing it again this year.

Nice reading, brains.

[fro]

Did you just merge threads. Or is the crack (and the voices) finally getting to me.

"I gotta do something here, I still can't believe it. I gotta give you your dream shot! I'm gonna send you up against the best. You two characters are going to Top Gun. For five weeks, you will be flying against the best fighter pilots in the world. You were number two, Cougar was number one. Cougar lost it-turned in his wings. You guys are number one."

[Spac]

Its the crack and the voices that's leaving you feeling lost and confused.

[MikeW]

No thread merge, you are an idiot

"Your ego's writing cheques your body can't cash"

[fro]

Originally Posted by MikeW

No thread merge, you are an idiot

"Your ego's writing cheques your body can't cash"

Thanks for the confirmation.

[Bogan]

Originally Posted by fro

Did you just merge threads. Or is the crack (and the voices) finally getting to me.

[/QUOTE]

It's the crack.

[/QUOTE]

Or it could be the voices.

[/QUOTE]

Thank you, that is all.

T.

[/QUOTE]

[mrbob]

And to think in a few earlier posts I was worried about going off topic..........

[rallyfiend]

I went to Rally Oz a couple of years ago and had a great time.

A couple of recommendations:

- stay in town (Hay st or similar). It's close enough to walk to Gloucester Park and to the sights of the city.
- make sure your hotel has somewhere to park your car
-Bayswater Car Rentals are very cheap and very good.
- reserved seating at Gloucester Park is a good option. It means you don't have to really rush back at the end of the day - you know it'll be waiting for you!

[erk]

Originally Posted by rallyfiend

I went to Rally Oz a couple of years ago and had a great time.

A couple of recommendations:

- stay in town (Hay st or similar). It's close enough to walk to Gloucester Park and to the sights of the city.
- make sure your hotel has somewhere to park your car
-Bayswater Car Rentals are very cheap and very good.
- reserved seating at Gloucester Park is a good option. It means you don't have to really rush back at the end of the day - you know it'll be waiting for you!

Thanks for reminding me about that - Perth can be quite anal about their on-street parking, going to the extreme of having 15 minute zones which were always in operation. My motel didn't have off-street parking (I'll have to change that this year) unless you went to a nearby parking station and if you showed your room key you got a discount. I did find some on-street parking around the corner which did quite well once I found it.

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by MikeW

No thread merge, you are an idiot

Fro, I apologise for my comment. I don't know what came over me. We all know that you are no idiot.