A photo with Mads Ostberg, toilet talk with Nasser
Al-Attiyah, and an interesting team name, it’s fair to say I had an awesome time
at Rally Portugal. I am not sure there is a better way to spend your first ever rally, than the experience of being behind the scene with a top team, close to the action of the stages, and watching a full rally service from just meters away. This was topped off with amazing hospitality from the M-Sport team, who made us, two ordinary motorsport fans, seem as important as any other VIP guest they might entertain.
Throughout the weekend, we had the pleasure of being at three of the stages of
the epic Rally Portugal. Set in the south of the country, it is easy to see why
it is a favourite of the drivers. To see the likes of Mads Ostberg and
Sebastian Ogier sweeping through the dusty gravel roads, from just meters away,
was an absolute thrill. And clearly we weren’t the only ones impressed, with
hoards of Portuguese fans camped throughout the stages, drinking, laughing, and
generally celebrating the fact that the rally is in town. It’s hard not to be
taken in by the atmosphere, with the fans screaming and some of the world’s
best drivers sliding by, there is nothing quite like it. As well as close up access to the stages, we were also granted entry to the M-Sport hospitality unit, which is an incredible structure, when you consider it is unfolded and put together by eight lorries. Here is where the teams eat and the drivers gather, meaning you are not far from the mechanics and those at the wheel too. This even led to a slightly odd conversion with M-Sport driver Nasser Al-Attiyah in the toilet area. To break the silence I asked “How’s the rally going?”, to which he replied “Good, It’s going well… but still two stages to go tomorrow.” After a brief chat, he was off to the super stage. It’s difficult to imagine being so close to the drivers at any other event, and in a way, this is what made it so special.
Directly outside of the hospitality unit is the service area, where the cars return from the trials of the stages to have repairs. This is where the mechanics spring to life, feverishly working away to get the cars in the best possible shape for the next stage. Standing just feet away from the cars, we had unparalleled viewing of the work that goes on, and the sheer speed they have to work at. An M-Sport member explained to me that Mads had rolled on day one, wrecking the car. The mechanics then worked to get the car back up and running, and Mads was back in the race on day two, eventually bagging some points by the end of the rally.
Outside the M-Sport area, we had a quick walk
around the rally circus, as it were, taking a peek at the other cars, and a
rather interesting team name to say the least! The whole place was buzzing with
people, excited for the rally and looking out for the drivers. Personally I was
searching for ex-F1 driver Robert Kubica, but alas I did not get my wish.
Prior to this rally, my memories of the sport are of the old
stars like Colin McCrae and Carlos Sainz. But in recent years, my interest has
dropped, with the dominance of Sebastian Loeb and Citreon. However, being at
the heart of the rally is enough to ignite anyone’s love for the sport, even my
motorsport indifferent fiancée, who had an incredible weekend too. With
M-Sports fantastic hospitality and the atmosphere of the WRC, this was truly an
unforgettable weekend. With Rally Portugal being such an immense event, the other six trips will have a difficult time beating it. Next month I have the 24 Hours of Nurburgring and the Monaco Grand Prix to look forward to, which I am sure will be equally unique and enthralling events.
For more photo's take a look at my Flickr and for any updates follow me on Twitter @SamStoreF1.
And I final thought from me, the amazing sound of the WRC.. Enjoy!
