Rally advice?

Paul Male

Paul Male

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I would like to start attending and hopefully photographing some rally stages and just wondered if anyone has any advice or good websites that can give me more info? :thinking:

I have no idea about attending these events so any advice welcome. :thumbs:
 
The most important thing is stay safe. I have seen plenty of photos that look good, but have been taken from dangerous places.
The outside of bends, areas where cars land after yumps, breaking areas, boxed junctions, ditches etc.

It can be rewarding but, think of your safety, just because somebody is already taking photo's from a location doesn't make it safe. If you can but a good tree between you and the car.
 
Remember that most Rallies, be they Road or Stage events are 'staffed' by volunteers who don't have the time to keep an eye on your safety.

Don't wear camouflage, high vis is helpful. But as said above, think about where the car might land when it all goes pear shaped, then add space around there! You can be surprised, best to be alive after that surprise.
 
There's not a lot of difference in the actual photographing compared to circuit motorsport so have a look for general motorsport photography info/techniques. Panning would be the one that immediately springs to mind.

Definitely mind where you're standing. Especially as if you're using a large obvious camera like a 7D with a grip people will assume you know what you're doing (either safety-wise or photography-wise) and will stand near you. Getting some distance and solid objects between you and the cars is always good too. And do what the marshals ask you to.
I think this page has a fairly good guide to where not to stand though I'd add that you don't want to be stood on the immediate inside of a corner either in case someone takes too big a cut.

Account for all weather conditions too. In Britain it's bound to rain at some point during the day, especially at this time of year. Wearing some proper boots is a good idea for dealing with mud and rough ground.
 
All sensible advice, thanks. I take it you just turn up and ramble around then? Are there maps available for routes etc and times that cars will be on certain stages?
 
Paul Male said:
All sensible advice, thanks. I take it you just turn up and ramble around then? Are there maps available for routes etc and times that cars will be on certain stages?
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Stage events 'might' have some info but it is unlikely to be published prior to the event and Road Rallies will only have the start reliably published prior to the release of the route to competitors.

Are you a member of a motor club? Or join somewhere like www.britishrally.co.uk

Enjoy.
 
It varies wildly. Some events have designated spectator parking/standing areas (though you don't necessarily have to stay in them) and some don't. Some give out info (from as much as times and route maps for every stage to as little as a vague location and a date) and some don't.
Some don't allow spectating at all (usually the ones on airfields or other private land).
Sometimes you can get a bit more information by reading the regulations that are released for the competitors.

Make sure you read everything the organisers make available, there can be stuff you'd never think of like not being able to park at the side of the road in certain places because of rare plants or not being able to drive through certain villages because of the local residents. You don't want to do anything to jeopardise the future of an event.
 
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best thing uou can do is get the motorsport news, this will have events coming up then you can go onto their website and find more info.

as people have said get some good waterproof clothes and walking boots.
the amout of time I see people walking around in trainers that are soaking wet is unbelivable.
make sure you give yourself pleanty of time to get to where you want to watch from, it is no fun walking down a live stage and jumping in the hedge when you here a car coming.

one other thing to be aware of is where the flying gravel and bricks will be going.
 
I my self will be attending the Cambrian Rally on the 8th October, the final round of the BTRDA and Welsh Forestry Championships.

Would be a great rally for you to attend, a bit of a drive from the Midlands but would be a great one for you to attend as most WRC drivers use it as a test for Rally GB.

Mikko Hirvonnen won in 2002 and Andreas Mikkelson won it in 2006

Lots of info on Cambrian Rally website:

http://www.cambrianrally.co.uk/

Also i use this website to find all major rallies in UK and Abroad:

http://www.itsmymotorsport.co.uk/Rally_Events.htm

Hope this helps
 
It is possible to get `in yer face` shots without putting yourself in danger.This was taken using the long end of my 50-500 Sigma on a 90 right bend.I was way out of harms way behind the tape in the `safe` zone and was taken just before the car broke for the bend.

air12.jpg
 
From a marshals point of view...

Best advice I ever got is "never stand where the car will ever be facing directly towards you" - makes sense really. We've all broken this rule at times but try not to. If you do, make sure there is plenty of room between you and stage edge and make sure there is somewhere you can run if you need to.

If a marshal asks you to move or to not stand in a certain place, please try and respect what they ask, we only ask these things to try and keep the spectators as safe as possible. If you hear a whistle, it signifies a car approaching, can be helpful for setting up a shot as well as for safety.

Main thing is to have fun, you can get some great shots - but keep your wits about you, just in case.
 
Its the Trackrod this weekend, I'm marshaling on it. It could be worth a trip up there to give it a go.
 
Mike Warburton said:
It is possible to get `in yer face` shots without putting yourself in danger.This was taken using the long end of my 50-500 Sigma on a 90 right bend.I was way out of harms way behind the tape in the `safe` zone and was taken just before the car broke for the bend.

air12.jpg
Click to expand...

Great Picture Mike, Looked as if the light was fading fast!
 
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