This year the route passed through our village after a night stage, so we had a preview of the cars before we saw them in action. We then went to see the gravel stage in the Terra Alta, camping out along the course for good views of the morning stage before joining my parents in Faterella on the final corner of the afternoon stage. For me the experience can be summed up in two words - spectacular and dusty!!!!
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| Negotiating the corner into Montbrio... |
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| Big lights! And kids out to cheer them at midnight... |
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| A bit of British tradition... |
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| The church in Fatarella, the sleepy village where the final day's stage began... Narrow streets and low archways made for some interesting driving conditions for us visitors! |
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| Nice detailing... |
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| We camped out along the track to be in a good position for the early morning stage. |
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| My parents provided us with a British paper and steak sandwiches so we were happy campers :-) |
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| Brum Brum!!!! The cars and dust shower begin... |
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| This section was loose and uphill meaning lots of swerving and power sliding... |
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| I'm always amazed at how close you can get to the track - there are no marshals or controls away from the designated viewing areas. |
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| Fighting to keep straight as they slide up the hill... |
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| Muchos dust!!! |
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| The post car aftermath... Experienced rally fans brought face masks and ski goggles! |
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| Trying to get a photo and duck before the dust bath! |
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| Wheels going off the track! |
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| The path wearing out to reveal some rocks... |
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| A little dusty!!! |
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| We joined up with my parents at the spectator area on the final bend of the afternoon stage... |
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| More dust as they negotiate the hairpin! |
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| Where's the car? |
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| Spot the die-hard rally fans in the background... |
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| My Mum wasn't quite converted to a rally fan, but at least we had chairs, clear views and a bar closeby ;-) |
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| Getting a bird's eye view! |
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| This one nearly lost it! |
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| Heading home to wash off the dust! |