Tags
Birds in Poitou-Charentes, Poitou Charentes, Rallye de Charente, Rallye International de Charente 2013, Vintage cars in France
TO SEE PHOTOS OF MANY OF THE CARS ON THIS YEARS RALLYE CLICK
Well; what a fiasco, you sign up for a tour of the wonderful Charente countryside and you end up in a traffic jam that could rival any on the M25.
I was only taking photographs so did not have to endure the stop start procession through Verteuil, but I watched it happen. I set up on a corner in the village near the Chateau which was a ‘Check point’ …….. Why do they have a check point on a fun run in the countryside. It is not as if it’s a time stage in an Alpine rally. This I think was the problem but I do not know as I was not at the check point. What I do know is that a lot of people were not having a fun drive in the countryside.The first car through was a little red Midget, he was OK although a bit lost.
After about 25 cars had come through, a marshal came along and adjusted the road signs so that the participants knew where to go!
For a while all was fine though the cars were building up, I even saw one passenger taking a video of the entire race, I hope he had a huge memory card as the course was about to take a lot longer.
Soon it became a traffic jam which meant you could not get a good shot of any car as it was tucked up behind the one in front and behind it was a row of other cars.
It did mean that you could get some close up shots of makers badges and wheel hubs.
Even the drivers and passengers, were generally happy to pose even though some were starting to get a bit hot under the collar, not this lady though.
I think I took over 500 shots, and there must have been even more cars than that on the rallye. One big problem is all the hangers-on who have not paid but are just out to show off their new Jaguar ‘F’ type or whatever. It is difficult to prevent these interlopers but they do add hugely to the congestion. Also there are a lot of very nice but new cars, One guy looked quite miffed that I did not take a photo of his very expensive very shiny very red and very new Ferrari. Well I’m sorry but I prefer a 1959 MGA which was the next car in the queue.
I will get round to sorting them out but this year I will be printing less and it will be my favourites..do have a look I will be putting over 200 cars on view but the new Audis, BMW’s and Ferraris may not get included.
Hi.
Long time no speak and we never did get to meet up this year. I am Steve. We communicated briefly after last years event when I stumbled over your talented work. It has to be talented since I almost failed to recognise myself, hard to do when your as ugly as me! :-) I was driving the Silver SS100 Jaguar with a good looking woman ……………… still don’t know who she was but she looked happy enough.
Just reading your article above and I certainly have some concurrence with your comments. Ignoring the interlopers I was somewhat bemused at the new Audi and BMW entrants. I suspect I will not bother next year after 6 years of entering I think it may be time to move on to an alternative event.. The organisation works well to a point but there appeared to be a couple of other other Rally going on and at times during the day you all end up on the same road or at the same junction which just makes It very congested and not so much fun. I think the organisers do a great job and lunch was back to Excellent again this year I am pleased to say. It all went a bit sideways again at the end for me. Having sat in a queue for ages when we got to the square we were told it was full and we just had to drive off, so we went to Jarnac for a drink at the end which was rather disappointing. Still a great weekend and congratulations to all those involved for the hard work they put in to make it happen. Some things are just not in their control..
I look forward to seeing your pictures again when they are up. Hope we catch up one day :-)
Steve
Hi, good to hear from you, I did not go to this years event as I was in GB but hope to go next year. Its fine as a spectator but perhaps not so good if you are sat in a jam. I must get to visit the race round the remparts sometime as well.
Apologies, I didn’t appreciate that you were not there, I had assumed you resided in those parts rather permanently. Sorry, my mistake. I don’t think I will be going next year for many of the reasons I mentioned previously. Time to move on. If you have never done the Sunday, you should make the time. Its great fun and very interesting. Fairly relaxed day. Friday night is also worth a look which is the concourse competition.
Take care, wish you well and maybe catch up someday.
Best regards
Steve