Perthshire Hill Rally 11th / 12th July

[Jools]

This event is definitely running, and as ever are very keen to attract new marshals to assist.

For those who don't know, a Hill Rally is like a forest stage rally, except that this one uses as few pre-made tracks as possible - open moors, heather, quarries, mud, even an old railway tunnel. The speeds are awesome, as is some of the machinery. You don't need any previous experience to help, but a decent 4wd is highly recommended (no matter what they say elsewhere!). Best of all, marshals get to drive the sections to travel to their locations.

See the Scottish Hill Rally Club website for more details - (Clicky and hover over Perthshire Rally, then use the drop down menu.)

From the organisers -

"A hillrally is based on the stage rallying discipline of stage timing and public road liaison routes to and from special stages. Stage timing is carried out in the same way and to the same level of accuracy. The difference between Hillrallies and Special Stage rallies is that a hillrally does not allow Pace Notes, so there is no, "Right 3 over crest, don't cut, tightens into long flat 6." Drivers and navigators in our events have to read the ground and course ahead as they see it and take the appropriate action as required.

The route planner and setup teams for hillrallies have a larger task in setting up the stage so it is clear and safe to drive over. The Scottish is unique in the use of open ground and very little defined track use. This necessitates the need for over 8000 stakes and arrows to be hammered and stapled during the set up week. Severe and unseen obstacles and hazards are marked by caution boards.

The other difference between stage rallies and hillrallies is that the former do not deploy Live Recovery. That is the recovery of a rally car stuck, in a ditch, whilst the other competitors drive past. There is simply not enough room for this to take place with safety in a forest rally. In hillrallying over open ground other competitors have space to drive past and thus the stage is kept live.

Don't think that off road rallying will be slow and have no sideways action. You should consider hillrallying in a three dimensional way, forward sideways and up and down! Open ground is not smooth so there are more yumps and bumps to tackle, providing you with more action.

In a like for like stage, a hillrally vehicle will outgun your top rally car. A bit unfair as the rally car has governing body and championship restrictions imposed on it. Off road vehicles do not, so 300+ bhp is quite common and the torque in a 4x4 car is far greater.

Think of these factors when spectating, no defined track except for stakes every 100m or so, very fast approach speeds so stand well back and enjoy.

Better still why not join the marshals and get inside viewing and all the great perks. Like getting wet or baked in the sun, a free gift, and some free soft drinks. But most of all a great sense of belonging.

Take care, don't be afraid to ask, be safe and have fun."


If you want any more information, feel free to post here or PM me.

So, who's up for it?

Cheers
J

[Jools]

Last call - no-one up for helping out? Either Friday or Saturday.

If you want more details pm me before Thursday.

Cheers
J