Rheola 2

Length: 32.58 km

This is a repeat of SS4.

This stage is renowned as being very fast, and is therefore liked by both drivers and spectators. It's easy access is also another reason why spectators flock to this area.

In previous years this has been the only stage of the rally where it is visited twice on the same day, but in 2003 this is now not the case. However, there is the added spice now of having Walter's Arena as part of the stage. The arena itself was introduced in 2002, and spectator feedback of the area has been very mixed. Take a look at my Rally Stories section, to get an idea of what some spectators thought about Walters Arena. The general feeling is that the idea is a good one, but spectators are too far away from the action.

In 2003, Rheola has the same start and finish, and the stage itself is 90% the same as 2002.

How to get there?

Entrance to Car Park H from the A4109

The likelihood is that you are staying at Rheola 2, after having spectated at Rheola 1, so you may not need these instructions on the route. However, if you didn't make SS4, the access to Rheola is relatively easy, compared to some of the other forest stages.

From the A465 (Merthyr Tydfil to Neath road), take the junction of the A4109, signposted towards Onllwyn and Glyn-Neath, and head North. There is also a tourist sign for some caves.

Once you have gone around the slip road, and start to head in a Northerly direction you will approach a set of traffic lights. Go straight across, and head towards Seven Sisters.

Continue for 2.1 miles and you will see a sign warning of "Lorries Turning". Take the next left onto a tarmac road, as the picture on the left shows. You will now be on your way to Car Park H. After 1.0 mile from the entrance gate, you will approach a fork in the road. If you take the fork to the left you will get to a large open area where you will be able to access some excellent open viewing. If you take the fork to the right, you will need to drive a further 1.5 miles and this will take you to the parking area near the hairpin. Both of these areas are described later on in the Best Spots for Spectators section.

To access Car Park G, continue on the A4109 through Dyffryn Cellwen, Seven Sisters and Crynant. The Car Park will be signposted just after the village of Crynant, on the left-hand side.

The access to Car Park F is quite complicated, and your route into it will change depending on how late you arrive. This is because the start of the stage is so close. If you do wish to try it, the best advice here is to come off the A465 at Aberdulais, and get onto the B4242 via the A4109. The B4242 will now run parallel to the A465 as you travel North-East, and Car Park F will be signposted just after Ynys-dwfnant.

Stage Maps

Thanks to Multimap.com, you can now view Stage Maps here.

Click here for the SS6 access to Car Park G (1:25000).
Click here for the SS6 access to Car Park H (1:25000).
Click here for the SS6 start area (1:25000).
Click here for the SS6 start area (1:50000).
Click here for the SS6 finish area (1:25000).
Click here for the SS6 finish area (1:50000).

This stage is very popular and will be very busy - especially Car Park H, as it is an excellent viewing area with all facilities readily available and a very short walk to the stage. If you do intend to come here, make sure you are here very early, or you will struggle to park in a decent spot.

As SS4 (Rheola 1) is due to start at 11:20am this year, there is a good chance that these stage car parks will be open overnight, so this run through (mid afternoon) will give you time to watch all the competitors through the first run, before going back to the car to either have something to eat or dry off !

Some areas do get very wet, as this area is very exposed to the elements. Make sure that you have the correct clothing here, and make sure that you park in a sensible place for the type of car you have. In the 2001 rally, it rained constantly for several hours at Rheola. Be warned - it can easily happen again.

The police again warn that this is a high crime area, so don't take any risks when leaving your car. Always make sure there are no valuables on view within your car, or even better - take them with you.

Some parts of the access to the parking area are very rutted, and can cause major damage to the underside of your car.

Car Park F and the surrounding area can get very congested, as this is where the stage starts. It also finishes further up on the B4242 towards Glyn Neath, so if you do stay here, you will have to get to the car park very early, and be prepared to leave very late.

This run through Rheola will start in the light, but may well finish in the dark, dependant on how late you stay, and if you are not going to the Super Special. Remember if you do venture into the forests, take a torch. Some parts of the spectator areas are quite wet, and it's surprising how many deep puddles you find when you can't see where you're going !

In 2002, a new part was added to Rheola called "Walter's Arena", and this will now be part of the stage for as long as it is used on Wales Rally GB. An extra mile of road has been added "to test the drivers and thrill the crowds". It is advertised as a family area, which basically means there is a grandstand and "spectator-friendly" areas. Excellent viewing for families but my advice to the die-hard rally fans is to stay away and get into the forests, or stay at the hairpin or open area by Car Park H.

In 2003, if you want to spectate at Rheola 2 you will need to buy either the World Rally Pass, the Friday Pass 2, the Forest Stage ticket 1 or (subject to availability) purchase on the day tickets.

For full ticket details, including advice, you will be able to find out all the information you need in the Tickets section.

Parking Information

Sheltering from the elements !

View of Car Park H from the stage

The muddy conditions of Car Park H

Car Park H is excellent, and probably one of the best of the whole rally. From the entrance off the A4109, the tarmac road continues for 1.0 mile, and then turns into a gravel track that splits into two. Take the left-hand fork for the open viewing areas or the right-hand fork for the hairpin.

If you take the left-hand fork, the road surface is good and firm, but can get very wet with large, deep puddles. If you arrive here at night for the previous run through the stage (if the car park is open overnight), you will be directed to park around the edges of the large grassed area. Make sure you park somewhere where you will be shielded from the wind and rain, as this part of the parking areas is very exposed.

In 2001, we parked three cars together, bought a tarpaulin and made a temporary shelter as the weather was bad, as you can see from the first picture on the left.

Follow the fork to the right, and after 1.5 miles you will be at another large parking area. It now splits into several other forks, with a small open section in the middle. The stage is actually up the hill from the central fork, so park up there (if you can) if you want a shorter walk in the morning. The second picture on the left shows the car park from the stage itself, and a very good view of all the access roads and forks to other parts of the car park.

Because of the sheer volume of traffic and spectators at this point, this car park does get very muddy, but nothing that a decent pair of walking boots can't handle. Some of the areas where you park are also quite wet, but just make sure you get a good spot when parking. The third picture on the left shows an example of what the conditions can get like.

Car Park F gets full very quickly, and if you arrive late you will be asked to park on the B4242.

Car Park G is another typical forest parking area, and you will park in the trees. The scenery around here is quite steep, so expect quite a hilly climb to the stage.

This stage is excellent for access, and as long as you arrive early to park you will never be more than a few minutes away from the stage. From the parking area of the left-hand fork of Car Park H, go towards the catering van and down the hill, following the path and you will soon be at the stage. In my opinion, the best viewing areas are if you turn right and walk up the stage towards the open areas as shown in the Best Spots for Spectators section. To get to this area, expect a walk of approximately 15 minutes from the catering van at the open parking area.

From the central open area of the right-hand fork of Car Park H, the stage is a short walk of approximately 0.3 miles, and although it is uphill and quite steep it is easily accessed, as the surface is good.

From Car Park G there is a longer walk, depending on how late you arrive at the car park. From the entrance to the parking areas off the A4109 to the stage itself is approximately 2 miles, so bear this in mind when choosing a parking space.

From Car Park F, the stage is no more than 0.5 miles away, and the car parking area does continue all the way towards the stage itself. However, it is quite steep so again a decent pair of walking boots will be needed here, especially if you wish to explore further into the stage.

There are good facilities at Car Park H. There will be a large catering van selling all the usual food and drink.

There are several reasonable-standard toilet cubicles, and these are situated at the hairpin as you enter the stage, at the top of the hill.

Car Parks F and G will only have catering facilities, and no toilets.

Catering

The catering van at Car Park H

At Car Park H, the catering in 2000 was good here, and it was improved again in 2001 and 2002.

Considering there are always a lot of spectators here, the catering van is continually well stocked, and spectators rarely have to queue for longer than 10 minutes.

The large town of Neath has a large amount of facilities which you will need, such as petrol, take-aways, shops and off-licences.

There is also a McDonalds restaurant on the A465 near to the junction with the A4109.

However, the best place for food in this area is 1¼ miles from Car Park G in the village of Crynant - an excellent place called Pit Stop Diner. The restaurant seats 40, and has off-road parking for 50 vehicles. It will be open from 8am until 11pm specially to cater for rally spectators, as the owner is a rally fan himself. Pit Stop Diner will sell anything from hot and cold drinks to snacks and meals, all at reasonable prices. It also has toilet facilities and can cater for disabled/wheelchair access.

Best spots for spectators

Open viewing area at Car Park H

... and again

The popular hairpin

The fast approach to the hairpin

Car Park H is a spectators dream. It is easy to get to, and provides fantastic viewing. If you took the left-hand fork when you access the stage parking, you will be near the open viewing areas. The first picture on the left shows the kind of viewing you can expect. This is a fabulous area if you want to see fast action, and for at least 20 seconds. The drivers approach from the top right flat-out, and continue down the hill.

The second picture on the left shows how the stage continues down the hill to the right-hander, before continuing on up the slight incline until disappearing into the distance. If you want fast action with extended viewing time and a good atmosphere with the spectators, don't miss this.

Another great viewing area on this stage, and one which is very popular with spectators is the hairpin, if you take the right-hand fork when you access the stage parking. It is a great hairpin right bend after a fast downhill approach. There is a large banked area at the bend where a large amount of people congregate, as you can see from the third picture on the left. As you hear the drivers approach, they suddenly roar over the crest, and most of them are already setting their car up halfway down the hill, taking it very sideways, as the fourth picture on the left shows.

Once through the hairpin you can then see them over the other side of the small valley, where they will appear in 30 - 40 seconds, and watch them tackle an uphill section for a further 20 - 30 seconds. By the time they have gone, the next car will be due to arrive, so it's action all the way !

If you fancy something different, take a walk away from the hairpin and up towards the forest area. The walking here is very wet, but not too bad if you have decent footwear. As you approach the forest there is a fast entrance to a gate, where the drivers have to almost chicane through it. This has caught out some of the drivers, even the top drivers in the past, and is well worth a visit to see how skilful rally drivers really are.

Car Park G has access to fast flowing bends, and will probably not appeal to everyone.

Car Park F has access to a couple of good 90-degree bends but again will probably not suit the hairpin enthusiast.