We focus here on the rallying; consulting the BRC and EBR websites identified that tickets and programmes could be picked up at a drive-in location on the outskirts of Saint Vith which was providing the rally HQ and service area.

We had already seen that there were four tarmac stages repeated three times during the day. The programme had excellent OS level maps identifying parking areas where there was catering and toilets. All very well planned out.

Over to Andrew -



Even with closed roads and taped-off spectator areas, there's still something a bit wild about rallying. Drivers and cars against the clock, pushing to the limits where you'd be sticking to a speed limit on the days before and after.

Being on tarmac and European-based, it means there's a different mix of cars to usual UK selection - a Porsche 911 with a screaming flat-6 speeding by is always a welcome sight !

Alongside the new cars in the main class were a number of older cars plus a class for historic vehicles, so there was plenty of variety. These shots are from Stage 2 at a hairpin in Nidrum.

Having seen every car through we travelled the short distance to Stage 5. We were located after a long straight and just before a village so the cars were at full pelt as they came past us.

Sadly, one of the vagaries of rallying reared its ugly head; the tenth car through had an off and after a short break the stage was cancelled and cars re-routed to the next stage

So we consulted the map and headed to stage 7 where we arrived just as car 1 flew into sight. Here we were able to walk further into the stage and get close (but not too close) to the action. Some panning was in order.

At the end of the long straight was a hairpin allowing the rear wheel drive cars to show just how it’s done.

Andrew sums up the day -

As something different to the track events I normally attend (including some circuit-based rallies in the UK - not quite the same!), it was an excellent day out and well worth building into a next trip to Spa and the Ardennes.

Post Script - I mentioned above that the service area is open to walk round. Before we headed for a very good pizza in Saint Vith, I grabbed a few images.

With Spa and a number of rounds of the Belgian Rally Championship within easy reach of Calais, I can see us heading over the Channel again in the future.

Thanks to David and Andrew Harbey for this report.

You can find all of the PistonClick team Rally articles by following this link.