RSAC Scottish Rally: Where To Spectate
27 May 1999
Here's How to Get The Best View Thursday, June 10 Scrutineering 16.00 The competing cars are checked over in the Ice Bowl, Dumfries 14.00 - 21.00. This is a good chance to see the cars close-up and check out the latest information on the rally. There is a rally help desk to assist with any specific information and refreshments will be available. Karting Challenge: Ice Bowl, Dumfries 19:30 Friday, June 11 Note: the time in brackets is the estimated time for the first car in the support event (the RSAC Scottish Historic Rally and RSAC Scottish 1400 Rally on the Friday and the RSAC Scottish National Rally on the Saturday.) The RSAC Scottish Historic Rally starts from Whitesands in the centre of Dumfries at 07.00 and runs around 1 hour 40 minutes ahead of the international crews on the Friday route. Start: Whitesands, Dumfries (07:00) 09:00 The crews will be flagged away from the start ramp at Whitesands alongside the Nith River in the centre of Dumfries . (Map reference 84/970 760) Dalbeattie (08:05) 10:05 The car park is off the A710 about 1.5 miles south of Dalbeattie, proceeds to local charities (84/834 590). Short walk to the stage. Ae 1 (10:15) 12:15 With only Dalbeattie as a warm up, the crews are tested by a gruelling 18.85-mile stage in the Forest of Ae. Excellent mid-stage access and parking. Signs from the A701 Dumfries to Moffat road will indicate the car park, north of Ae village (78/978 902). Parking is not permitted in Ae village itself or in the vicinity of the Forest Enterprise offices. Twiglees (12:25) 14:25 The car park (79/205 937) is on the forestry road south of the B723 Lockerbie to Eskdalemuir road. From here there is good access to mid-stage viewing. There is no access to the stage finish. Please park carefully and make sure you do not obstruct the roadway. Castle O'er (17.20) 18.54 There is a car park on the forest road south of the B723 Lockerbie to Eskdalemuir road (79/204 937). Follow the one-way system. Do not park on the B723. Ae 2 (16:45) 18:45 See details given above for Ae1. Halt: White Sands, Dumfries (18:30) 20:45 Finish of the RSAC Scottish Historic Rally and RSAC Scottish 1400 Rally, followed by the return of the RSAC Scottish Rally competitors at 20:45 for the overnight halt. Saturday, June 12 Note: the time in brackets is the estimated time for the first car in the support event (the RSAC Scottish Historic Rally and RSAC Scottish 1400 Rally on the Friday and the RSAC Scottish National Rally on the Saturday.) The RSAC Scottish National Rally starts from Whitesands, Dumfries at 06:00 and the Mobil 1 British Rally contenders in the RSAC Scottish Rally restart at 08.00. Restart: Whitesands, Dumfries (06:00) 08.00 The start of the RSAC Scottish National Rally at 06:00 is followed at 08.00 by the departure of the Mobil 1 British Rally Championship contenders on the second and final leg of the rally. Proton Glengap 1 (07:30) 09:30 There is limited parking on the forestry road, accessed from Laurieston village, on the A762 New Galloway to Gatehouse of Fleet road. Do not park between the village and the stage exit. Please note, there will be no access to the stage start from the A75 and police will enforce this. Glentrool (09:50) 11.50 Parking is available on the forestry road off the A714 Newton Stewart to Barrhill Road. Clatteringshaws (12:35) 14:35 A 15.90-mile stage as the penultimate test. Parking is available on forest drive off the A712 New Galloway to Newton Stewart road, beside the stage entrance and exit. Proton Glengap 2 (13:45) 15:45 Details as for Glengap 1, but the stage run in the opposite direction. Finish: Whitesands, Dumfries (15:35) 17:35 The traditional champagne celebrations for the victors! Programmes Full spectator information, with colour stage maps and entry lists are contained in the official rally programme. Programmes can be ordered by telephone before the rally - call 01232 844111 (Monday to Saturday 9 am to 6 pm). Payment is by Visa or Mastercard at £4.95 plus 95p postage and packing. Alternatively, the programme will be available from vendors on the rally route and at the Shell station on the A75 Dumfries to Carlisle Road at the Little Chef, or Wigtown Road Service Station, Newton Stewart. Car parks Some car parks may make a small charge for parking this is usually donated to a local charity, as it is often the members of that charity who run the car parks for the rally. Gang Warily Part of the pleasure of spectating on the RSAC Scottish Rally is that it takes part in some of the more remote areas of the country. Many of the roads are not designed for heavy traffic. Therefore, the rally organisers appeal to spectators to heed the Royal Scottish Automobile Club's own motto - "Gang Warily". Drive with care and consideration Park sensibly Respect speed limits. "Most people realise that the special stages are the only place for fast driving", comments RSAC Scottish Rally Clerk of the Course Jonathan Lord. "Unfortunately, there are some who forget. I would ask spectators and participants to remember that the good name of rallying in Scotland is in their hands." In the stages: Stand well back from the action. Watch for the danger of flying stones from car wheels. Don't stand on the outside of corners. Don't walk on the track after the stage has opened. Don't take dogs into a special stage - not even on a lead. Don't take prams or pushchairs into stages. Supervise children closely - they may not understand the dangers. Never stand on, or near, piles of logs. Smoking is strictly prohibited on all forest stages (even in damp conditions the fire danger is critical at this time of year). Spectators are also asked to follow the country code and to dispose of litter properly. --