Recce went really smooth at the three stages, Blackberry, Clay & Blueberry. Service area all ready with just tents that were being...
Recce went really smooth at the three stages, Blackberry, Clay & Blueberry. Service area all ready with just tents that were being pitched during noon. We did a recce of all the three stages & was really thrilled how fantastic it really was!!
Unfortunately, we didn't stop to take any pics enroute, as we were busy in checking the vantage points and mapping the stage to help spectators to make it to the vital points. We are not promising anything big, but are giving it a honest try to make our best & hope it really serves the point. The spectator guides will be published soon, but its a the onus of the user to check it at its best. we will be marking some sure shot points, which are easy to reach and tried and tested last year by us, but the rest will might not be at par.
Coming back to the stage[s] report, all the stages are pretty smooth with some undulations and very few jumps.
Blackberry SS :
Pros : Stage start and some sections of the stage are very much approachable with very little trek to watch the action, but it is mostly straights with some 90° turns at the first 1/3 of the route. [This will be marked on the vantage points Recce report which will be published soon with google maps & coordinates.]
Cons: But you may have to do a trek or some small time offroad drive to get to see actions in some faster corners, hence may waste some time to get to the powerstage of the rally, i.e., Blueberry [SS9].
Clay SS :
Pros : Stage finish & about 2kms to the end is really neat with lots of safer spectators spots, but it takes a hike to get there. [Again the coordinates, route will be disclosed in the next report.]
Cons : Stage start is not accessible as it the approach will be blocked atleast a 'kilometer and a half', as the road to get there is narrow and it will definitely block the competitors cars if you try to get there by own transport.
Blueberry SS :
Pros : This is can be definitely for those who dont want to run about and just want to see some good action for a lots of sections of the stage, though at a distance [perhaps a binocular or some distant vision gadgets will help] but a definitely not a misser. It has some approaches that are close to public road sections which are just a few steps away. [Coordinates and details will be shared soon in next report].
Cons : As this is the 3rd / 6th / 9th SS of the rally, expect a lots of retirements in the previous stages and lesser competition to be spectated, but it is really an awesome stage for photo/videographers to shoot along with friends and family.
Whichever might be your choice of stage, weather condition, or other for matter below are the listed must have's.
- Umbrella - Expect the stages to be either Sunny / Rainy and hardly any trees to take shelter.
- Drinking Water - almost deserted stages
- Snacks/Food - almost deserted stages
- Good pair of shoes & denim wear [preferrably] - expect slippery gravel tracks and thorny bushes along.
- If being there for the first time, then a print out of the maps [that will be posted in the next report soon here]
- A GPS device/phone with GPRS connectivity will certainly help.. BSNL should have good coverage, if not others.
- Camera for good pics/videos
- Foldable lightweight Chairs & Umbrella for enjoyable time there..
- The third stage is mostly in forest department jurisdiction, so better take care for no open fires & avoid smoking as there may be a chance of forest fire.
- Small time wild animals were noticed in 2010 edition, like small wild boars, so better take of children & weaker, if they are accompanied to spectate.
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