{"id":12291,"date":"2012-07-11T12:27:50","date_gmt":"2012-07-11T10:27:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/07\/2012-vw-rally-spectator-guide\/"},"modified":"2012-07-11T12:27:50","modified_gmt":"2012-07-11T10:27:50","slug":"2012-vw-rally-spectator-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/2012-vw-rally-spectator-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"2012 VW Rally Spectator Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The 30th running of the VW Rally carries the following health warning on the box: Warning \u2013 Motorsport is dangerous: In view of the high speeds attained by the competitors, accidents can happen. The promoters and organisers of this rally cannot guarantee your safety. You attend the event at your own risk. Every reasonable precaution has been taken to make the event as safe as possible, but you must obey marshals and officials at all times to minimise any risks.<\/p>\n

The rally organisers recommend watching stages 1 and 4 together or stages 2 and 3, finishing with stage 5. Do not attempt to make all the stages.<\/p>\n

Map of VWSA Spectator Viewing Points (Click Here to Print this guide<\/a>):
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Melon Stage 1 \u2013 10.5 Km. First car: 12:58<\/strong>
\nThe 2012 VW Rally will kick start with an old stage last used when the Audi Quattros were the rally cars to beat. It has switchback corners, a blind rise \u2013 not for the fainthearted \u2013 and rolling hills that will make a rollercoaster look tame. The spectating point is an open hairpin left-hander with good viewing. Rally cars will approach at high speed. Feel free to walk into the stage to get the best view, keeping a safe distance and be attentive to cars approaching. Note the road is narrow, so park at the recommended spot and walk down to the stage. Support \u201cDie Padstal\u201d near the spectating point for refreshments.<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b051.252\u2032
\nE 24\u00b057.912\u2032<\/p>\n

PPC1 (Longmore): Stage 2 \u2013 24.72 Km. First car: 13:29<\/strong>
\nAnother twist for the 30th VW Rally. It will be the first time that this stage will be run in the \u201cwrong\u201d direction. Steep uphills and a loose surface around some \u201chigh up in the mountain\u201d corners will test machine and mental focus to the limit.<\/p>\n

Spectating is somewhat limited with all the young trees growing. The best vantage points availble would be to walk in from the end of stage to the sweeping corners over the low-water bridge. Please take care not to break or damage the trees, and when walking on the stage be on the lookout for the rally cars.<\/p>\n

Do not Block the road when parking.<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b050.575\u2032
\nE 25\u00b007.086\u2032<\/p>\n

Sinkdam: Stage 3 \u2013 19.12 Km. First car: 14:24<\/strong>
\nThe 2012 edition will pose a whole new twist for Stage 3 as traditionally this stage would have been swept clean of the very loose rocky surface after being run as Culturama first. This will give the rally crews the feeling of a hat-trick of brand new stages. There is a very much talked about Blind Rise that has built up a reputation over years.<\/p>\n

IMPORTANT TO KEEP ROAD OPEN FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b049.821
\nE 25\u00b008.834<\/p>\n

PEOTR: Stage 4 \u2013 7.7 Km. First car: 15:20<\/strong>
\nThe Rally cars will start with three laps around the PE Oval circuit and exit onto the gravel road past the clubhouse, through the pits and do a long tricky section in the back. Best viewed from the 4\u00d74 track.<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b053.926
\nE 25\u00b027.696<\/p>\n

Winterhoek (Uitenhage): Stage 5 \u2013 First car: 16:20<\/strong>
\nA Super Special Stage is when two cars start at the same time and drag race each other through an almost identical track. This stage has excellent viewing points of the Rally cars using the highway off-ramp and on-ramp sections which is very slippery and fast.<\/p>\n

Rally cars will be using gravel tyres which means their grip will not be as good as with slicks.<\/p>\n

Toilets will be available near the Start.<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b045.283
\nE 25\u00b025.871<\/p>\n

Saturday 14 July 2012:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Culturama: Stage 6 \u2013 19.25 Km. First car: 08:23<\/strong>
\nThe infamous Culturama Stage will only be used once in 2012. This stage has the respect of all rally drivers past and present. Most of the loose gravel will be swept away with the Sinkdam stage being used first, but if a driver goes off line he might be in trouble here. It is not uncommon to see black tyre marks in the corners as the cars break through the loose gravel exposing the hard compacted surface beneath.<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b049.821\u2032
\nE 25\u00b008.834\u2032<\/p>\n

Kingsview: Stage 7 \u2013 34.30 Km. First car: 08:57<\/strong>
\nIn 2011 this stage determined the winner, will 2012 repeat the pattern and choose the winner?<\/p>\n

Roads have been repaired in the middle section which will make it seem faster, but more loose as well. Rally cars approaching at maximum speed braking hard into a tight 90 Left.<\/p>\n

This point is 31.60km into stage. After this stage the cars will go into a brunch break and then head out the forest to repeat Stage 1 to Stage 4 as per Friday, first day of the rally.<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b048.959\u2032
\nE 25\u00b007.021\u2032<\/p>\n

Melon: Stage 8 \u2013 10.50 Km. First car: 11:05<\/strong>
\nThe spectating point will be an open hairpin left corner with good spectating value. Rally cars will appraoch at high speed. Feel free to walk into the stage to get the best view, keeping a safe distance and be attentive to cars approaching. Note the road is narrow, so park at the recommended parking spot and walk down to the stage. Support \u201cDie Padstal\u201d near the spectating point.<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b051.252\u2032
\nE 24\u00b057.912\u2032<\/p>\n

PPC2 (Longmore): Stage 9 \u2013 24.72 Km. First car: 11:36<\/strong>
\nOn day one the crews got to meet the new stage. As a repeat stage on day two it might just determine the final podium challengers. Steep uphills and a loose surface around some \u201chigh up in the mountain\u201d corners will test machine and mental focus to the limit. Spectating is somewhat limited with all the young trees growing. The best vantage points availble would be to walk in from the end of stage to the sweeping corners over the low-water bridge.<\/p>\n

Please take care not to break or damage the trees, and when walking on the stage be on the lookout for the rally cars.<\/p>\n

Do not Block the road when parking.<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b050.575\u2032
\nE 25\u00b007.086\u2032<\/p>\n

Sinkdam: Stage 10 \u2013 19.12 km. First car due: 12:41<\/strong>
\nAs the final forest stage this provides the rally crews with their last realistic opportunity to close in on, or race away from, their rivals. The road will be in good condition for some fast times. There is a very much talked about Blind Rise that has built up a reputation over years.<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b049.821
\nE 25\u00b008.834<\/p>\n

PEOTR: Stage 11 \u2013 7.7 Km. First car: 13:27<\/strong>
\nAs the final forest stage this provides the rally crews with their last realistic opportunity to close in on, or race away from, their rivals. The road will be in good condition for some fast times. There is a very much talked about Blind Rise that has built up a reputation over years.<\/p>\n

IMPORTANT TO KEEP ROAD OPEN FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b053.926
\nE 25\u00b027.696<\/p>\n

Kings Beach: Stage 12 \u2013 First car: 14:27<\/strong>
\nThe ever-popular Kings Beach stage has been a signature stage to close a tough and challenging rally. Often it has come down to this stage to determine the final positions with mere seconds to determine the outcome.<\/p>\n

The 2012 format is the same as 2011, but with a surprise for spectators.<\/p>\n

GPS coordinates:
\nS 33\u00b059.383\u2032
\nE 25\u00b038.629\u2032<\/p>\n

The podium will be held at Kings Beach and the winners will be announced at about 15:45.<\/p>\n

Entry List:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Class \u2013 S2000 and S2000C<\/strong><\/p>\n