The event had been in question in the two days before the event thanks to the heavy snow falls that the UK had suffered from. A stage inspection on Friday morning took place and at 12 noon on Friday - it was confirmed that the event would run. Armed with this information I then went to pack my camera, making sure the batteries were charged and that the memory cards were empty. Warm clothing was bunged into my bag as was some over night stuff, we would be travelling down to a Premier Inn near Ross-On-Wye to act as an overnight halt closer to the event. Armed with a new iPod Nano from Xmas, me and my Dad set off from Telford at about 7pm, arriving at the hotel some 90 minutes later.
Saturday morning came, the sun rose and it was time to get up! After a breakfast we set off towards our destination for the day, Car Park D! The forecast had been for a cold yet sunny day and so far the forecast proved to be right. We had heard that this part of the country had recieved a lot of snow, and as we neared the forest there were still parts of road with snow on them. However it wouldn't be until we arrived at the car park and ventured towards the stage how much snow had actually fallen! I have no ieda how long this car had been parked or where it had been parked but look how thick the snow is on the roof!
I was expecting to take a lot for photos, I'd taken 8GB worth of memory cards with me! But I didn't expect to take so many pictures of trees and snow before event reaching the stages! It's not often we get such a thick covering of snow so I took the oppourtunity to add some snow shots to my portfolio! After a snowy walk down a hill (part of the stage from last year) we found the stage. I will be honest, I had planned to go to the Speech House stage in the morning which was over the road from our car park. However I just went to Serridge 1 instead which would mean I'd then have to go to the same stage again in the afternoon, this was a mistake I was glad I made though!For the first run the cars would be coming along a straight out of view, the taking a 90 left before a short blast up hill the a 90 right. Normally this would be fairly routine, but the stage was still covered in ice and snow! For the poor 2WD front runners this was nearly impossible! They would crawl up to the corners and between the corners they were just wheel spinning, making it impossible for them to build up to any real speed. It also meant that the different types for driving where on show. The drivers that just wanted to get through unscaved and then the drivers who were going as fast as the conditions allowed so that they maybe able to get an unexpected result. Normally cars come at minute intervals and sometimes some cars are caught up ass they have had a proble or an off. However with the conditions as they were - cars were quite often coming in twos or threes and the time gaps had no stucture to the at all. It really was a case of waiting until somthing turns up!
After these there was a small historics class - never before had I seen three rally cars so close on the stage - it was like watching the BTCC! Once these had passed the big boys were up next, as was the might 306 Cosworth of the infamous Andy Burton.
The 4WD was instantly visable as he came flying into the first corner and powered up the hill in a wail of noise and confidently swung it into the 90 right and up the straight. It was now that you started to appriciate the difference between 4WD and 2WD and the different power each car can put out! After around 25 cars or so we then headed back to the car to get some food and warmth!After lunch we headed back down to the stage, although I had already learned that I had gone to the wrong stage I planned too in the morning - I had also planned where I would stand for Serrdige 2. The stage would take a different route for the second run - where they were coming up the hill towards us and turning right, they would now come down a unused section of stage, have a 90 right, head down the hill then take in another 90 right at the bottom. The stage had now pretty much cleared up from snow - so the afternoon run was expected to more spectacular.
As we walked down the hill I noticed a crowd of people and as we got closer discovered that an Escort Mark 2 as parked up at the side of the road. A rear right half shaft had snapped and as you can see from the pictures, the off side rear wheel at an angle it shouldn't be!
Then we move to a prime spot down on the bottom right and got some great pictures if I say so myself. We thought we were in for a interesting and dirty run when the first car covered us in mud and the the second spun but most driver held it together and made it past with no dramas. Thie big boys came through without drama, but being so close to the stage the noise and action on show was brilliant. After around 25 cars again we made out way back to the car, there was a journey back home to Telford to make!All in all it was a great day, the snow really added to the spectacle as it was something I've never experienced before. The crowds were out in huge numbers and made the drivers feels supported. Stopping over the night before also helped as well, I can't begin to imagine how tiring it would of been to of had to of travelled from Telford in the morning! The Wyedean "Snow" Rally was over for another year, there will be no hesitation in returning next year.
For more of my pictures from the event click here!
