A Yeti Adventure!

[RallySimon]

A quick history lesson before I tell you what I've been up to...

Most people have heard of the RAC Rally - a long multi-day rally from the days of old that toured around a lot of the country. Over the years this event has slowly become the World Championship event known as Wales Rally GB which is now concentrated in South and Mid Wales and ran a few weeks ago.

Many people missed the 'good old days' when it was navigated by maps rather than pace notes and toured much further afield, and so 7 years ago the Roger Albert Clark Rally (RAC Rally) was started up for historic categories of rally cars, to recreate these old classic events. The event has gone from strength to strength over the years and many enthusiasts like myself much prefer following it to the WRC round in Wales now.

Starting last Friday and finishing today (Monday), it started from Pickering in North Yorkshire on Friday evening, taking in 2 spectator stages and 2 forest stages in Dalby Forest up on the Yorkshire moors in the dark late at night. Saturday was to tackle several stages at Oliver's Mount at Scarborough as well as 2 runs of Langdale Forest again up on the moors, before heading north through Hamsterley Forest in County Durham and on up through Shepardshield Forest on the eastern edge of Kielder, stopping for overnight halt at Carlisle. Sunday then saw stages in Ae forest north of Dumfries in Scotland, as well as Twiglees, and Newcastleton on the western side of Kielder. Finally on Monday today there were more stages in Kielder Forest itself. 24 stages in total and a fantastic entry list with a lot of great names and quite a few foreign crews too. Have a look at the entry list for yourself:

http://www.tynecomp.co.uk/Results/rac_10/1/entry.html

So what have I been doing? I photograph rallies throughout the year and after struggling on a few events in winter conditions previously, this was one of the main reasons I'd upgraded from Fabia vRS SE to Yeti 4x4 170TDi Elegance. I've never driven a 4WD car before owning my Yeti for the last couple of months and had no idea now it would cope with bad weather, nor how bad the weather was as at home (near Ely, north-east Cambridgeshire), there was no snow last Friday as I prepared to set off. I still had the standard Dunlop tyres on which have a reasonable amount of tread on them after 9000 miles, but couldn't really afford to change them to winter tyres even if I could find some at that late stage!

On Friday morning I packed the car as I waited for my younger brother Dave to drive up from London and join me. He arrived just after 10am, and we put his BMW 3 series in my garage and he joined me in my Yeti as we set off. I took my usual route up through Lincolnshire heading past Wisbech, Conningsby, Horncastle and Caister on to and over the Humber Bridge. At this point we had still seen no snow. We then took the B1248 from Beverley to Malton over the Wolds... plenty of snow up there, although thankfully not on the road, and including a stop for food and another stop for fuel, we made it in 4 hours to Pickering Showground for 3pm which was Rally HQ as well as the location of the first stage.

I found the event media officer, signed on with him as a recognised photographer and collected my various passes and paperwork, then met up with 2 other photographers, Nigel who has a 4WD Impreza and Gary who has a Renault Clio - not sure of the exact model, but its FWD, wide arches about 200bhp and not a lot of ground clearance, so less than ideal for snow!

We decided we'd rather cover the 2 forest stages in Dalby than the spectator special at the showground, so we set off about 4pm to try and find our way up to the top end of Dalby and see how bad the snow was - for those that know the area, we were heading for Fire Tower corner on the forest drive, and we headed up the road from Ebberstone to Givendale Head Farm. All was well as it was gritted up to the Farm, then as it entered the forest it became 2 packed snow/ice wheel tracks in snow that varied between 4 and 8 inches deep. My Yeti trundled along without any bother and Nigel seemed to be doing fine behind. Gary somehow kept it going until we got to a fork where we needed to turn left up hill to join the forest drive. I turned onto the hill and it kept going. So did Nigel. Gary slid into the snow filled ditch. - that'll teach him to ask if I got my car cheap from the post office (yep its a red Yeti). By now it was fairly dark. We still had 3 hours before the cars were due, so we got out pushed him back out of the ditch, got back in our cars and looked in our mirrors to find he was back in the ditch. This was going to be a problem, the camber of the track was just dragging him back in. We pushed him out again, and a 3rd time before deciding this wasn't working. Another car (FWD Audi A4) turned up at this point and as he'd struggled to get to that point it was obvious he wasn't going to make it round the corner up the hill either.

I know all the tracks around there well, and knew if we took the right hand fork it came out further along the forest drive so I agreed to head on up the track I was parked on, join the forest drive and loop back round on the other track to see if it was passable by the rest of them. So it was time for a hill start in 8 inches of snow on top of sheet ice. I remembered the 'Off Road' button was supposed to help in these conditions and pressed it in before trying to set off, expecting from previous experience in the Fabia to probably slide backwards. How impressed was I when we just took off up the hill like it was on dry tarmac - that was hugely impressive! My brother thought so too!

So we drove round the loop back to the other cars to confirm it was passable without any steep slopes, and also to find Nigel's Subaru now in the hole/ditch that Gary had just vaccated - oops. More pushing and shoving and I now lead a convoy of about 6 or 7 vehicles (more had arrived while we were having 'fun') round onto forest drive and then into the forest. There wasn't much room at our chosen location, Gary and Nigel managed to get parked on the edge of the track and I parked in a load of snow that was deep enough for the doors to sweep the top of it when they were opened. It started snowing again at this point (about 6:30pm). Shortly afterwards were joined by more friends Barney and Carol who are also photographers. Their 4WD Mitsubishi Delica was having no problems in the snow (think people carrier on steroids if you've not seen one, or see pics further down).

We got all our warm clothes on but it was still bitterly cold (car indicated it was -1.5C) and with the snow falling, I decided I would just watch these stages, as I still had another 3 days to take photos. The snow had inevitably caused the organisers some problems but somehow they still managed to run the stage in the forest twice, and it was well gone midnight by the time the last cars came through. By this time another 4-5 inches of snow had fallen - certainly enough on the roof of the car to hide the roof rails!

The original plan at this point had been to head further out onto the moors to Langdale Forest and sleep in the cars ready for Saturday, but there was some doubt over whether it would run due to the conditions, so at 1am we set off through Dalby back to Rally HQ at Pickering Showground. We drove through the forest which was mostly downhill to Low Dalby village, then up the steep climb out of there on the forest drive. It was all sheet ice and lots of snow and I was hugely impressed both with how well the Yeti was coping with it, and that Gary was still going in the Renault. If you know the area you'll know once out of the forest drive its a steep decent into Thorton-le-Dale village. On packed ice and snow, I took my feet off all the pedals and let the Yeti do its thing (Off Road button still turned on!) and it kept perfect control all the way down which was very impressive. I touched the brakes lightly once and everything just locked up, so how it managed to keep things under control I have no idea but we all got down there safely. We got back to the showground about 2am to find it was now nearly a foot deep in snow in places, and all parked up for a night sleeping in the cars. I was glad I'd bought a new really thick sleeping bag as it was now showing -4C.

We got up the next morning to even more snow, and to be told the stages in Langdale would be running, there was no spectator access, but media photographers would be allowed in only if they had 4WD. Gary left his car behind and got a lift and off we went again. After some debate we headed along the A170 to Snainton and tried the Troutsdale road. Part way along this road is a steep decent with hairpin halfway down. We got to the top and it was sheet ice and there was a Seat car stuck halfway up coming the other way. It was so slippery you could hardly stand up and there was no way we were going to risk driving down that so we turned round, headed back to the A170 and continued heading for Scarborough. Whilst the A170 was fairly clear, as soon as we turned off the back roads were anything but clear with packed snow, sheet ice and loose snow. We made it via West Ayton and Hackness villages round to the road leading up to Langdale, where we were halted by a friendly official of the rally. We showed him our passes, explained we'd had no problems in Dalby the night before, and that I knew where I was going, and he let us past with Barney, Carol and Gary, and also Nigel following me. We headed up into Langdale up a forest track covered in plenty of snow right up to the top of the moors and parked up ready for the cars to tackle 2 runs of the stage.

Here we are parked up:

And here are a few of the photos I took:

As you can see, it went from briefly sunny to dull and then a blizzard. Combined with the sub zero temperatures and windchill, I'd had enough after the first run and sat in the car trying to thaw out for the second run which finished in the dark about 6pm.

We set off making our way carefully back out of the forest with lots more use of that magic 'Off Road' button and once on the A64 heading towards Malton discussed plans. We were supposed to now be heading north and west to the Forest of Ae ready for Sunday's stages. There was no snow up there at present although getting there was going to be a challenge, and a lot of snow was forecast for up there the next day. The temperature was now showing -7C, my washer jets had frozen and my brother was starting to question our sanity regarding sleeping in the car again in those temperatures and then standing out in them again, so a change of plans and with only one set of photos taken, we reluctantly headed down the A64, A1 and A17 back home. The rally continued yesterday with difficult conditions in Newcastleton Forest, and a change of stages for today due to the worsening weather conditions up there, and I'm just waiting online to see the results. I've missed not being out there for the full event, but think it was the sensible decision.

The conclusion of this long winded saga if you're still reading, is that even on the normal summer tyres, the Yeti handles all this winter weather without any fuss or bother at, all, but unfortunately its occupants don't

The snow has now followed me south, and is supposed to be getting worse which should make for an interesting time next weekend when I'm supposed to be photographing a tarmac rally running at Rockingham Circuit in Northants.

Thanks for reading, hope you found it interesting and didn't fall asleep!

[900000]

Wow!!! What a report! And all of that on good old summer tyres. But I'd stay quiet about the 2WD Clio also doing it all. hehehe

I'd have loved to see all this but I would not have liked sleeping in a car in those temperatures! Brrrrrrr

[Allams Skoda]

Awesome photos! What camera & lens did you use?

[Merlinman]

Memories of my 5 years working for Safety Devices on events as Service Co-ordinator with Pentii Airikkala/Ronan McNamee in Astra/Ascona400/Starion/Galant and Integrale - was a 'proper' rally in those days 70 odd stages over 5 days with 2 nights out - happy days!

[RallySimon]

Awesome photos! What camera & lens did you use?

Thanks - Canon EOS 1D Mark III Camera and Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 IS lens.

This is the first car I've owned which is actually worth more than the contents of my camera bag!

[rockhopper]

Brilliant report. Sounded like great fun even if it was below freezing.

Look forward to hearing more.

Mike

[loskie]

Thanks - Canon EOS 1D Mark III Camera and Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 IS lens.

This is the first car I've owned which is actually worth more than the contents of my camera bag!

Enjoyed that thanks. We were operating the start of the Heathhall stage at Dumfries yesterday. Ran twice. Sub Zero but only a light covering of snow. Finished up about 5pm last night amazingly the drivers/co-drivers were still in good spirits and alert.

I do a lot of rally marshalling and this is one of the friendliest events with many of the co drivers saying thank you to us marshals which costs nothing but counts for a lot.

Last car through was an N reg Skoda Felicia. The number looked kinda familiar so guess it was one of the Skoda challenge ones. Did Tiff not drive one in the RAC one year?

Was Car 94 Darren Martin Carlisle Martin Steele Carlisle Skoda Felicia J1

Next Sunday is the Galloway Hills Rally based in Castle Douglas(DG7). Another non championship friendly end of season event. Still entries available if any one wants.

http://www.gallowayhillsrally.co.uk/

Edited 29 November, 2010 by loskie

[Fluffy destroyer of worlds]

Now that's what I call a severe weather test, great stuff and all on summer tyres. Nice one Simon. I used to follow the RAC, mostly got my piccies on the mickey mouse stage at Chatsworth. Deltas were king in those days. 3 cracking pics by the way of 3 of my old rally favourites.

[Llanigraham]

Nice one Simon!!

Been following the reports on the BRF, so know it was "fun" up there. Didn't they do a great job keeping the whole event going?

Know the area roughly from my days servicing with Skoda GB and John Haugland, on various events. Oh the days of the RAC proper; doing food crew for Skoda, towing a 13' caravan with a 1200cc Estelle with a works low-ratio gear box!! I did it for 3 years.

Edited 29 November, 2010 by Llanigraham

[900000]

Oh the days of the RAC proper; doing food crew for Skoda, towing a 13' caravan with a 1200cc Estelle with a works low-ratio gear box!! I did it for 3 years.

Wow! That must have been a sight!!! What was your top speed?! Was it you that irked Jeremy Clarkson so much to hate caravans the way he does?!??

[jeep]

Simon, I do a lot of photography and often carry a lot of gear, I think you are rather brave with your url on your boot lid, sort of looks like a bit of an invitation to thieves.

Cheers,

JP

[RallySimon]

The organisers did an amazing job keeping it all running in such difficult conditions. Even finding extra stage mileage to make up for other shortened stages. They really do deserve medals or at least some official recognisation for so much hard work!

I can remember seeing that Skoda Cavavan about on events, I remember following Haugland on many events in both the Estelles and then the Favorit.

The Felicia loskie mentions, would that be N111 SMS? Originally built for Steve Wedgbury many years ago and used more recently by Tiff Needell on the 1996 Network Q RAC Rally, the same year Stig Blomqvist took the 1600 Felicia Kit Car to an amazing 3rd overall

Here's a few more photos:

Cheers,

[grayson]

4wd is a big advantage but winter tyres make just as big a contribution. As I found yesterday- road up to my home 1 in 5 and lots snow.Tiguan on Vredestein Wintracs romped up the hill. Met new neighbours who asked if I could drive their Kia Sportage up to their house as they were stuck(and they obviously knew me as a driving god..). I managed it with a huge amount of effort- regardless of 4wd the thing had barely any grip at all. Nearly understeered into another neighbour's wall but with Senna like reactions avoided it.

[RallySimon]

Simon, I do a lot of photography and often carry a lot of gear, I think you are rather brave with your url on your boot lid, sort of looks like a bit of an invitation to thieves.

Cheers,

JP

I know what you're saying, but I've always had my website on the tailgate and also sunstrip across the top of the windscreen for the last 5 cars/10 years. My car is normally either in the garage at home, in the car park at work or parked nearby on a rally stage, so its not that often I'd be leaving it somewhere that it might be a problem, although it is something I'm concious of and never leave my camera gear in it unattended if I do have to park it and leave it on the odd occasion.

[rockhopper]

I know what you're saying, but I've always had my website on the tailgate and also sunstrip across the top of the windscreen for the last 5 cars/10 years. My car is normally either in the garage at home, in the car park at work or parked nearby on a rally stage, so its not that often I'd be leaving it somewhere that it might be a problem, although it is something I'm concious of and never leave my camera gear in it unattended if I do have to park it and leave it on the odd occasion.

"No tools left in van Yeti overnight"

Mike

[Sanqhar]

"No tools left in van Yeti overnight"

Mike

Now where did I see a photo of the back of a food producer's van and the sign:

"No pies left in van overnight"

tom

[Onesque]

Hi Simon

I um'd and ar'd about going on this event to do something similar to yourself.

I enjoy photography, rallying, radio, the outdoors and driving, so this pass time more or less ticks all the boxes for me.

Having recently spent the weekend away on the WRC I needed plenty of 'brownie points' but sadly I had to get the house ready for the fitting of double glazing. Currently sitting in the cold with a few large holes in the house, perfect weather as you can imagine.

Thanks for sharing your experiences and photographs I know now what a good event I missed.

I saw that the event was changing by the hour with the closure of Langdales to spectators and then Hamsterley running twice to make up the milaeage. At least you had the media badge to wave at the marshalls I would have struggled gain access.

Nice to see someone using the Canon EF 70-200mm lens I pondered over many a report of the suitability of this lens against the 100-400mm for motorsport. I eventually bought the 70-200mm f4 IS which seemed to go against the grain, but for me the physical size is more in keeping with what I want from a lens.

Look forward to hearing more reports like this, you never know I might park next to you one day on the forest tracks.

[Llanigraham]

900k,

shall we just say that it was a good job the Estelle was on Czech plates, as we rarely were below 50mph, and often well above. Those Estelles could be made to fly!! I can remember passing a Police car on the M62 one year

I also know that you could get it and the caravan sideways on an icy road between the Service area at Dolgellau and Swansea..............that was frightening!

Simon,

I serviced when Steve drove as a member of the works team, and know him. In fact my Yeti was his ex demo car!! He got a works drive because he won the Skoda Trophy that year. In all I did 3 RAC's, 2 Welsh's, the National Breakdown, and was due to do the Scottish but couldn't get the leave.

Love the photo of the Lancia. Probably one of my favourite Rally Cars. (after a works Grp B Estelle of course!!) Do you mind if i nick a copy?

[Allams Skoda]

Thanks - Canon EOS 1D Mark III Camera and Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8 IS lens.

This is the first car I've owned which is actually worth more than the contents of my camera bag!

Wow a 1D they are pretty bloody brilliant, I had a 50D that I loved and I had the same lens as you but without the IS, the L-series glass is really something else. I sold the 50D thinking that 7Ds would come down in price, thus far they haven't!! :(

[RallySimon]

Wow a 1D they are pretty bloody brilliant, I had a 50D that I loved and I had the same lens as you but without the IS, the L-series glass is really something else. I sold the 50D thinking that 7Ds would come down in price, thus far they haven't!! :(

Nice to see someone using the Canon EF 70-200mm lens I pondered over many a report of the suitability of this lens against the 100-400mm for motorsport. I eventually bought the 70-200mm f4 IS which seemed to go against the grain, but for me the physical size is more in keeping with what I want from a lens.

Look forward to hearing more reports like this, you never know I might park next to you one day on the forest tracks.

The 1D is wonderful, even if it did cost a fortune - its perfect for rallying, but also great for landscapes due to the quality of the images. Had it two and a half years now! Prior to that I've had the 10D, 20D, 30D and 40D (which is now my backup camera).

The 70-200 f2.8 L IS lens is amazing, bought it back in February 2004, so its done plenty of rallies - probably 90% of my rally photos are taken with it. The 24-70 f2.8 L lens is another one that gets used a lot for tighter inside corner shots on rallies, as well as a lot of landscapes - amazingly sharp lens.

I do keep looking for other Yetis when I park up on the forest tracks, so far not spotted any although mine always seems to get lots of attention from other people there for the rally.

Love the photo of the Lancia. Probably one of my favourite Rally Cars. (after a works Grp B Estelle of course!!) Do you mind if i nick a copy?

You're welcome to take a copy, glad you like it, it does seem to be popular with everyone on the event each year!