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2007 Rallye Sunseeker and Motorfair
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By GT at 2008-02-19 14:53
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Rally fans in the south will very much aware of the annual event held in Dorset known to many as the Sunseeker Rally! Friday the 23rd February will see the event kick off in style down by the sea front in Bournemouth, with Saturday 24th putting on a Motorfair of traders and club stands at Somerley Park nr Ringwood, along with the well acclaimed MG ZR Rally Experience Ride courtesy of Pirelli Pro Rally.
The 2006 event was a fantastic day out with plenty of atmosphere and the ability to get right up close and personal with the cars and people of the event. A wide variety of cars were entered, Subaru Imprezzas, MMC Lancer Evolutions, Ford Focus WRC, Peugeot and Citroen were among those in the long list of entry cars, but probably of equal interest to readers of this site would be the various Land Rovers and MGs.
Land Rover Defender 110 V8
For those who havn't been before, Friday night down in Bournemouth give you the chance to join the crowds for free in watching the rally cars kick-off the event through the streets and along the seafront at full speed. Spectators are allowed to get up close to the cars before they enter the event and there are many photo opportunities for those who are keen with a camera. Wrap up warmly though, as a February night down on the beach can get a bit nippy! That said, there are plenty of chances to grab some warm food and even an ice cream.
The mighty MG Metro 6R4 Group B Rally car!
Events continue on Saturday morning as the cars continue their course through the woodland and gravel surfaces of Ringwood. Although for a cost, there are many car parks available at various parts of the stages that will allow you to travel between them and see the cars in action from different viewpoints. Somerley Park is where many choose to go as the estate is kind enough to host a motorfair for spectators to spend their time between events browsing. A modest show by some standards but 2006 was able to display a BMW 5-series being torn apart by a fire safety crew, a few car dealers, plenty of food and drink, a Rally experience ride, courtesy of Xtreme Rally (who are back in 2007 as Pirelli Pro Rally) and also a handful of clubs, including ourselves! And I'm sure this poor editor has even forgotten some of what was on display. But any motorsport fan can't argue that one of the most appealing parts of the fair is to be only a few yards from high speed rally action as the enter the park down a very long straight, down to a sharp corner and then off through some twisty bits. Those who wish to venture a bit further can also do so, to catch some of the action in the woods.
I've now been for 2 years running and will definitely be there for this year, it is a well recommended day out for fans and novices alike.
2007 will see these cars and the driver giving you the chance to experience hand-brake turning from a 100mph gravel sprint and back again. I've yet to see a single person come out of the car without a whopping grin on their face. Not sure about trying out? Wander down and take a look for yourself and even have your picture taken!
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