For the past three years I’ve spent the first weekend of December in the forests of Wales and I’ve learnt that it’s sometimes the simplest of things that make the weekend even more enjoyable. Below are some of the best tips I have been given by veteran rally fans I’ve met out and about on the stages, feel free to comment if you have any more and I’ll add them to the list.
- Say no to hotels and B&Bs If you’re going to a big event, i.e. Wales Rally GB don’t bother staying in a hotel or a B&B. Get to your chosen stage the night before and park up. Sleeping in the car may not be the most comfortable of accommodation but it’s a true rallying experience and you’ll get the best viewing spot in the morning.
- Black bin liners Take loads of them. If you’re at an event for the whole weekend and your walking boots/ trainers/wellies or whatever get soaked on Day One there is no chance of them drying before you head out on the next day’s stages. Instead of suffering with cold feet give this a try – after putting you socks on tear up a bin liner and wrap it snuggly around your foot before putting your walking boot/trainer/welly back on. It may sound daft but it works a treat in keeping your feet warm and dry all day.
- Waterproof trousers Ok, I’ll admit it myself, they certainly aren’t at the height of fashion and I detest wearing them but investing in a good pair of waterproof pants is a must before you head out ito the Welsh forests in the middle of winter. NB If, like my “better half” you forget your waterproofs and you’re out on a stage sitting in your camping chairs when the weather takes a sudden turn for the worst, use your remainder bin liners to protect your legs from the elements. Trust me on this one, your fellow rally fans will not laugh at you, only praise you for you ingenuity, wishing they had done the same thing.
- Hire a van! If you’re planning on spending the weekend out on the stages and you don’t already have one, save some money and hire a van. However much you love the sport sleeping in the back of a car (a tiny Corsa in my case) is not the most pleasant of experiences especially when the person you are sharing it with is twice your size and decides it’s a good idea to use you as a mattress.
Our home for Wales Rally GB 2008
- Wet Wipes/antiseptic dry wash Add these to your rally fan shopping list, seriously, you’ll need them.
- Take extra clothes You may look like the Michelin man in your ten layers but rather that than standing on a stage being miserable and cold while everyone else is having fun.
- Air horns and flags Take plenty of these, they make you stand out from the crowd and get you noticed by the drivers – they appreciate seeing their flags out on the stages.
- Wooden canes If you don’t have a real flag pole or a fishing rod you can buy these 8ft wooden canes from B&Q. I’ve no idea what they’re supposed to be used for in real life but they’re only about £4 and make excellent makeshift flag poles.
Bin liners!!! why didn’t i think of that!
Really nice advices. Especially, yeah, bin liners – here in Russia with tons of snow rallies usually are quite cold to stay )
Thanks for the comment
Bin liners work really well, they keep your feet so warm and dry, so simple too.
I’ll never forget the morning we discovered just what we could do with bin liners… we smiled all day with our nice warm dry feet, we even kept the bin liners on all the way home.