TRS (Essex) Ltd Brands Hatch Stage Rally - 22nd January 2012

[Eddy V]

Now that would be good news. It looks like it was a great event and well done again CMC.

And did I hate not being there on Sunday. I was on live results and the tweets on the CMC website all day.
Am I really that sad! (Don't answer please.)

[Suze]

I will answer and I will say no.....at least someone was reading / listening!!

Seemed to have my head in my iPad most of the day....

You can play spot mine and Andrew's essentials - no not the stage maps, and notes...things like mini eggs of course

[onfirephotography]

i wasnt too sure what to expect from this event, but i thought it was a great event. always enjoyable watching escorts going sideways and the wrong way round Brands.

Was very disappointing at lack of spectator areas such as paddock area, inside of druids, off-road etc, understand the health and safety aspect but as Jonathan Palmer said on the PA he would be looking at more spectator areas for next year.

but heres a few pics from the action http://www.onfirephotography.com/trs-brandsstages

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Eddy V

Now that would be good news. It looks like it was a great event and well done again CMC.

From a competitors point of view I think this years was better than last years, the stage layouts were improved and there was less time sat at stage arrival controls doing nothing (by the end of the day the amount of time in service was dropping rapidly though!).

Originally Posted by onfirephotography

Was very disappointing at lack of spectator areas such as paddock area, inside of druids, off-road etc, understand the health and safety aspect but as Jonathan Palmer said on the PA he would be looking at more spectator areas for next year.

I'm not sure that much an be done about viewing in the outer paddock, there's nothing to hide behind in there. I expect the inside of Druids and the banking at Paddock might be possible to open up along with the rally school stage. The problem with the rally school stage is that it's not really built for the numbers of people that would head there for the rally - it'd need some temporary fencing and a number of "crowd control" people.

Originally Posted by onfirephotography

heres a few pics from the action http://www.onfirephotography.com/trs-brandsstages

Some nice pics there

[David Stallard]

Originally Posted by Andy 308GTB

I can understand your frustration but some corking photographs there.

Thanks Andy, a little praise goes an awful long way

.DAVID.

[jonbryant]

Thoroughly entertaining from my point of view again! This is fast becoming one of my favoured fixtures of the year!

My photos from it all are on http://www.snappyracers.com/album/2012/220112Brands/









Cheers all

Jon
www.snappyracers.com

[onfirephotography]

yeh id agree it would take alot to make safe spectator areas in these places, but if Brands/MSV/Mr Palmer sees potential in these types of rally at Brands Hatch then it would be worth while the investment.

But i suppose we will have to wait and see.

[chasing cars]

Great pics and sounds really positve for next year. Hopefully JP will also see that people do like winter events and maybe consider rallycross again. I know alot of the old circuit has gone but im sure something could be done. I was never over keen with the old layout so maybe a completely different circuit.

Anyway at least we now have the rally which im pretty sure will become one of Brands must go to annual events once they sort out the viewing areas for us spectators.

[Suze]

Good to hear a competitor's point of view

Yes, some access areas would seemingly be easier to sort than others but we will work on it and we will see.

There is lots of coverage of the rally in MN today - and also an article about rallycross at Brands....

[Eddy V]

Originally Posted by onfirephotography

id agree it would take alot to make safe spectator areas in these places

No, it wouldn't really.
I've organised quite a few rallies and the things you can do using lots of security tape, some barriers, "no spectators beyond this point" signs and some well trained marshals, you'd be surprised.
On one stage, I even allowed people in a designated area (normally off limits to spectators), only if they showed up before the first car and they had to stay there untill the last car had gone past. I had zero problems there, but we policed it very strictly.

Nasty little blaze on that Escort, hope they got out well.

[Suze]

The paddock raises questions to do with run off etc, rather than spectator control.

[Rewsy]

Just wanted to say thanks to CMC,MSV & all the marshalls, 2nd year I was competing in this event and I agree with some of the comments well run again and the stages were better than last year with the extra length as well, not quite suited to my car (#72 white mini) given lack of power but we had a great time throwing it around the track and certainly in the paddock great fun.

Only comment I would have would be with respect to the ticket allocation. We had two service crew with us for the day, plus as local event for me lots of family and friends interested to come and watch, but the crew had to use two of the tickets which seems strange to me, perhaps next year that wont need to happen?

[Suze]

Thanks for your comments! Crews needed to use tickets because yes, believe it or not, people will dress up and try to blag it otherwise..... The allocation was as per MSV with the view being that 2 for crew and 4 for service / others should be sufficient - I appreciate for many it was their local event but this was all we could get, hence negotiating the competitor rate to try and help. As organisers we were given a set number too for all officials and marshals - I was asked many times if I had spare tickets and the answer was no!

BertMk2 you should know - what is the race ticket allocation?

[jonbryant]

Originally Posted by Rewsy

Just wanted to say thanks to CMC,MSV & all the marshalls, 2nd year I was competing in this event and I agree with some of the comments well run again and the stages were better than last year with the extra length as well, not quite suited to my car (#72 white mini) given lack of power but we had a great time throwing it around the track and certainly in the paddock great fun.

That was a lovely looking car and looked incredibly well balanced and set up! One of my favourites . A credit to you and the team

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by Suze

Thanks for your comments! Crews needed to use tickets because yes, believe it or not, people will dress up and try to blag it otherwise..... The allocation was as per MSV with the view being that 2 for crew and 4 for service / others should be sufficient - I appreciate for many it was their local event but this was all we could get, hence negotiating the competitor rate to try and help. As organisers we were given a set number too for all officials and marshals - I was asked many times if I had spare tickets and the answer was no!

BertMk2 you should know - what is the race ticket allocation?

I think 6 tickets is pretty standard for MSV, I had to get 2 more at the competitor rate (which was a nice touch too). Most events we do the entry is done on the vehicle passes - so service vehicle, competition car and auxilary vehicle. How many people that is depends on how many you can stuff into the vehicles

[Rewsy]

Originally Posted by jonbryant

That was a lovely looking car and looked incredibly well balanced and set up! One of my favourites . A credit to you and the team

Thank you will pass on your kind words to my co-driver as it is his car!

It still surprises me how much attention the little mini gets where ever we take it, and for a standard little engine/gearbox it does sometimes punch above it weight!

[owenn01]

Hi Folks,

Seen a few images from the daytime but thought we also ought to see a few from the last two stages run after sundown; I won't go on about the lack of 'normal' Brands photographic opportunity but I hope you enjoy these from along the start/finish straight and can tolerate the lack of focus and associated noise...

1. Escort Exit



2. Focus Flame-Out



3. Imprezza Impresses



4. Focus Fantasy



5. Mk1 and Light Trails



6. Behind the Barrier



7. Clio and Lights



8. Into the Light



9. Exit Stage Left



Thanks for looking and well done to the organisers and participants!