Nicky Grist Stages - photos

[Steve_PPP]

Its been a while since i put a rally photo thread up, as this is the first one i've been to this year! Missed out on Sunseeker due to the damn man-flu so it was good to get back out there.

Left home at 5am and was parked up in Wales for just before 9am (took the cross-country roads and avoided the Severn Bridge toll), watched two stages and then headed back. Long way to go for a days rally spectating, but needs must - theres not a lot of events down this way and the Welsh stages are stunning in comparison to Sunseeker/Tempest.

So, some pics - yes, theres a few, but took over 800 and struggled to reduce it down to just these

First stage i watched was down in the Halfway forests, the roads are used by Wales Rally GB every year so know the good spots to go to away from the main spectator areas (which are typically open & safe areas, but with pretty poo viewing). Much prefer to get out into the twisty sections and up close to the cars. All of the photos are full-frame (no cropping) but have tweaked the contrast on some of them. Got pelted by stones by a few but thats all part of the fun

























































6R4 sounded lovely

[Steve_PPP]

Went up to Route 60 for the afternoon, which is a fast open section of stages up high on the Epynt military ranges (also used on the WRC). Spectated from this area at least half a dozen times before so decided to walk a bit further and find something new. Eventually found a double hairpin, in a sort of snake shape, which had dug out nicely from the first run in the morning. Bit slow and artificial, but with a nice hole between the hairpins it made for some entertaining viewing.

[Steve_PPP]

Last but not least, favourite car of the day. Had to be a scoob really





Lovely looking car Didn't have the pace of the front-running ex-wrc machines, but was always fast and tidy.

[ralliart didz]

nice pics steve,my fav pic

[Hongkongfooi]

great photos as always steve...looks like you were lucky with the weather!

[Bolesroor]

Nice pictures Steve,

Like the Mk 2 Escorts, use to dream of owning a RS1800 once upon a time.

[Scott.T]

Great pic's Steve, would love to come along with you into the land of sheep lovers some time.

Really like this shot, how it's caught the stones. What shutter speed is that on ?

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by ralliart didz

nice pics steve,my fav pic

I liked those ones too, from the bottom of the hill it just looked cool having the cars some flying over the crest with only the sky in the background.

Originally Posted by Hongkongfooi

great photos as always steve...looks like you were lucky with the weather!

Certainly was, only had about 15 mins of rain but was down in the Halfway forests at the time - thick tree cover and i didn't feel a drop on me

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

Great pic's Steve, would love to come along with you into the land of sheep lovers some time.

Really like this shot, how it's caught the stones. What shutter speed is that on ?

1/250th second, ISO-400, f/16. Got lucky on that one i think!

[impreza27]

great pics there steve

[tbtstt]

24 hours after you got back before posting pictures? What took you so long...

Fantastic set of pictures mate. Looks like a great day out and, from your photos, good weather there as well! The Route 60 pictures are definately my faves, those "rear" shots are excellent.

[Steve_PPP]

Originally Posted by tbtstt

Fantastic set of pictures mate. Looks like a great day out and, from your photos, good weather there as well! The Route 60 pictures are definately my faves, those "rear" shots are excellent.

Cheers mate, shame you couldn't come along, you've got to get your arse up to some Welsh stages at some point!

Harry Flatters this weekend but its a tarmac event on Epynt (prefer the gravel). Besides, not going to make that one, need a weekend to chill.

[tbtstt]

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

Cheers mate, shame you couldn't come along, you've got to get your arse up to some Welsh stages at some point!

I know, I know. I really wanted to come but, after a late finish at work on Friday, I just couldn't face getting up at the crack of dawn on Saturday!

Originally Posted by Steve_PPP

Harry Flatters this weekend but its a tarmac event on Epynt (prefer the gravel). Besides, not going to make that one, need a weekend to chill.

Funny you say that as its an Epynt tarmac event that I'd really like to check out. I've seen loads of pictures of Impreza WRCs getting silly amounts of air on the Epynt tarmac stages and I fancy seeing some of that for myself!