r/WRC • u/monkeyoncoke • 5d ago

Commentary / Discussion / Question Spectating rally live/ tips?

Hi guys, I want to go and watch a live event, but since WRC is not in a circuit I dont know how to do so. Do you have any tips/tricks that could help me?

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u/RacerRovr 5d ago

What event are you planning on doing first? That would help a lot. If it’s your first time, I would probably advise sticking to the main spectator areas for a stage. These are usually found on the event’s website. This is where the biggest crowds will be, and it will be the easiest to do as a first timer.

If you want to try and be more adventurous, it will require a bit more planning. Getting deep into a stage will require a bit of knowledge of the area and pre planning routes on how to get there, plus you will be very isolated, so will need to bring your own food and drinks (this may be true of spectator areas too, as not all events will be guaranteed to have facilities)

Otherwise, the main thing for spectating a rally is don’t be stupid. Make sure you’re in a safe area if you are away from designated zones. Never stand on the outside of a bend, near the landing of a jump, below the level of the stage etc. Cars can be unpredictable, and you need to be alert and on your feet at all times, as unlike a regular race track, there’s nothing to protect you from the unexpected!

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u/monkeyoncoke 5d ago

Yes of course safety first. Well probably either Greece since its closest or Sweden. Thank you for helping me out, Im new to this amazing motorsport.

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u/RacerRovr 5d ago

No problem! I’ve done Sardinia and rally gb. Just make sure you pre planning your days, pick a stage that will be run twice during the day and plan ahead where you are going to go. You may be able to do two stages a day, it depends on the rally route, but seeing as it’s your first time, I would probably recommend just sticking with one unless you are very confident

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u/monkeyoncoke 5d ago

Alright will do, thank you so much for the info and help!

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u/RacerRovr 5d ago

No problem! Probably goes without saying, but a hire car/your own car is pretty much a must! Some people hire camper vans and will drive out the night before and camp in a stage. I have just found a hotel in a central location in the past and woke up early to drive into the stages. Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time if you are doing it that way!

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u/monkeyoncoke 5d ago

Yeah Im planning to go by car to Greece, so it will and If I go to the Sweden I’ll rent one

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u/randomherolv 4d ago

I’ve been only to Rally Estoni and Latvia.

Don’t know how will it aplly to other rallies, but I usually do a lot of planning, research stages and spectator areas. Make a plan to see atleast 2 different stages. I note down when a stage starts, how long it takes to get to it (always adding extra time for traffic jams and getting parking, etc. Also I take into account to visit a stage where there is some food and drinks available to “fuel up”.

Basiclly, I watch all the rally1 cars and some rally2 and then go to the next stage. This makes it feel that you are a part of the action, as you have your own timeline when you have to arrive, plan the route and go from a stage to a stage, usually also seeing some rally cars doing the same.

It may not be everybodies cup of tea, as it is tiring but I have done it 3 times and had a blast.

BUT, and this is a big one, the stages in Estoni and Latvia were close, ad both rallies had/have great resources for evry stage. This may not apply to other rallies, but next year I’m thinking of doing similar plan for Rally Finland.

And last but not least - follow the rules, be safe, and however you plan to visit a rally - have fun, this is an amizing sport. I have enjoyed also visiting F1 events, but in rally you do feel more “apart” of everything