Beacons Rally 2009 - WTRA
Report by: Ian Vessey
Vess Report
Myself and Chris Haines entered the 2009 Beacons Rally in August. The classes were Ladies, Under 40, Over 40, Over 50 and Over 60 which gives an idea of the entry. It was a 2 day-er, and Saturday turned out lovely and sunny. We arrived just after 9, about the same time as the rest of the entry. an hour before the start it looked like everyone was sorted - all standing around in the warm sun chatting away!
From the start it was up the sunken lane and off right into the forest and to the first test. Untimed on the first lap, this was a good mix of terrain, up a stoney climb, along some shollow ruts, back onto track, down more ruts - nothing too difficult, and then a blast back to the finish which was next to the start. The next mile or so went along the bottom of the valley and was probably the trickiest part - very slippery under the trees. After that, it was back up the hill and over the road to continue on what must have been all the easiest parts of the ground used by the SnowRun Enduro. The second test towards the end of the lap was another nice mix of going. Total time for the lap was about 1:45. The second lap was much the same except the tests were timed.
Accomodation for the Saturday night was airbed/Transit in the car-park behind the Castle Hotel. We had some grub and a few pints before bumping into Jules and the rest of the WTRA crowd in the 'Castle' for a nightcap.
Day 2 was supposed to be 2.5 or 3 laps of the same course but in reverse. The threat of rain caused me to don my plastic mac at the start, but by the time we reached the end of the first test, I had to remove it as the boil-in-the-bag effect was too much. As it happened, the rain held off for us until the end of the second lap. The organisers had decided to halt the event at this time - a good call as by the time we'd parked the bikes and wandered over to the burger van it was tipping down.
An excellent event, a little bit more challenging than most rallies with a bit more technical going. Many thanks to WTRA for their efforts.
Blurry vids (Camera got bashed at the Welsh) can be viewed on YouTube but for your convenience below as well: Start to Test
and Test 2 on Day 1.
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