Cotswold Rally 2019
- Thread starter JMR
- Start date
BartyB
New member
Just to update everyone, Brian and I have been out doing the final recce this week and we're pleased to say that, apart from a new roundabout that has unexpectedly appeared in one of the stages, the stage totals and routing information all seem to be accurate and the definitive Tulip map is now being finalised and printed.
Whilst tooling around the countryside on our recce, it occurred to us that some participants might want to use something a bit more accurate than their cars’ trip meters to navigate their way around this year's 85 mile route. Rather than going barmy and installing a Halda Speed Pilot in your car, you may find it useful to use one of the dedicated smartphone / tablet apps that are becoming popular with rally navigators.
Over the past couple of months we’ve tested out the route with the help of an app called Rally Tripmeter (RT)* by Siim Plangi which, as its names suggests, is an electronic tripmeter app designed specifically for rally participants. This GPS-based tool has allowed us to measure distances run to within around 15 metres (whereas the cars’ trips could only manage 150 metres accuracy at best). As a bonus, we’ve also been able to remotely track our progress around the route on a map that others can see (if you turn the 'Track me on RaceLiveMap' function on) which is great fun.
If you want to use RT* to help you navigate your way around the Cotswold (and R10) rally route you can download an iOS version from the Apple Store and the Android version from Google’s Play Store. The good news is RT is free to use for a 60 day trial without restriction. If you decide to use it however, we've found it necessary to run it in airplane mode and use a power lead to run the host device from the car's power supply as it is a fairly power-hungry app when used for a couple of hours around a rally route.
* Other tripmeters/odometer apps are also available.
Whilst tooling around the countryside on our recce, it occurred to us that some participants might want to use something a bit more accurate than their cars’ trip meters to navigate their way around this year's 85 mile route. Rather than going barmy and installing a Halda Speed Pilot in your car, you may find it useful to use one of the dedicated smartphone / tablet apps that are becoming popular with rally navigators.
Over the past couple of months we’ve tested out the route with the help of an app called Rally Tripmeter (RT)* by Siim Plangi which, as its names suggests, is an electronic tripmeter app designed specifically for rally participants. This GPS-based tool has allowed us to measure distances run to within around 15 metres (whereas the cars’ trips could only manage 150 metres accuracy at best). As a bonus, we’ve also been able to remotely track our progress around the route on a map that others can see (if you turn the 'Track me on RaceLiveMap' function on) which is great fun.
If you want to use RT* to help you navigate your way around the Cotswold (and R10) rally route you can download an iOS version from the Apple Store and the Android version from Google’s Play Store. The good news is RT is free to use for a 60 day trial without restriction. If you decide to use it however, we've found it necessary to run it in airplane mode and use a power lead to run the host device from the car's power supply as it is a fairly power-hungry app when used for a couple of hours around a rally route.
* Other tripmeters/odometer apps are also available.
Great info, many thanks! Will investigate the navigator app options - especially as my navigator will be my (admittedly very clever) 12 year old...
BartyB
New member
Sounds like you'll be accompanied by the perfect navigator James; a tech savvy young person.
At the risk of stating the obvious but, as the slightest touch to the smartphone screen can inadvertently reset the trip (just what you don't need when trying to navigate a stage), we recommend fixing the phone to the dash as you drive the route. The most obvious solution is to use a phone mount but we've used Velcro strips attached to the back of the phone and a convenient place on the dash where the navigator can read it (see pic below).
Rally Tripmeter v3.1.4 running on an Android smartphone in our Boxster.
Either way, the mount needs to be fairly secure as it's a bit of a bummer if the phone drops on the floor and the trip data disappears half way round the route. Best to try this out well before the day of the Rally.
At the risk of stating the obvious but, as the slightest touch to the smartphone screen can inadvertently reset the trip (just what you don't need when trying to navigate a stage), we recommend fixing the phone to the dash as you drive the route. The most obvious solution is to use a phone mount but we've used Velcro strips attached to the back of the phone and a convenient place on the dash where the navigator can read it (see pic below).
Either way, the mount needs to be fairly secure as it's a bit of a bummer if the phone drops on the floor and the trip data disappears half way round the route. Best to try this out well before the day of the Rally.
Here's hoping it's a good choice for a navigator [
]
Thanks for the tip re fixing to the dash, we have a phone mount so will give that a go. Also got another app called Speedometer (£0.99 from the app store!) that purely does distance and speed in either miles/km and mph/kph which might be quite good from an overall simplicity standpoint. Looking forward to it!
]Thanks for the tip re fixing to the dash, we have a phone mount so will give that a go. Also got another app called Speedometer (£0.99 from the app store!) that purely does distance and speed in either miles/km and mph/kph which might be quite good from an overall simplicity standpoint. Looking forward to it!
BartyB
New member
If that's the Speedometer app by Baulin Roman, I'm not sure that'll be much help James.
You'll be using a tulip (aka ball and arrow) style rally roadbook to navigate the Rally route, so you'll really need an app that features dual trips; Trip 1 to display the intermediate distances run between Waypoints; and Trip 2 to display the cumulative mileage (you don't need a timing function as there are no timed sections on the Rally). The picture in my earlier post shows this. Also, if you use Rally Tripmeter, others will be able to follow your progress around the route.
There's a useful online guide on using a Tulip roadbook available that might help anyone that's never used them before.
Hope that helps.
You'll be using a tulip (aka ball and arrow) style rally roadbook to navigate the Rally route, so you'll really need an app that features dual trips; Trip 1 to display the intermediate distances run between Waypoints; and Trip 2 to display the cumulative mileage (you don't need a timing function as there are no timed sections on the Rally). The picture in my earlier post shows this. Also, if you use Rally Tripmeter, others will be able to follow your progress around the route.
There's a useful online guide on using a Tulip roadbook available that might help anyone that's never used them before.
Hope that helps.
As the weather has been pretty good this bank holiday weekend I've taken the time to get the car prepared ready for the Rally []
Full service, plugs, water pump, coolant, brake fluid and serpentine belt was carried out at Porsche in April, and I've done <100 miles since.
This weekend the car has been washed, decontaminated, clayed, machine polished and the paintwork has been sealed with Polish Angel Master Sealant.
On Saturday the convertible roof was cleaned with 303 Fabric and Convertible Hood cleaner.
This morning it was sealed with 303 Fabric guard to waterproof it, which I suspect will see it through this years driving.
Hotel's booked, my co-pilot is all revved up ready to navigate, and we are hoping for nice weather so we can have some fun with the roof down all weekend.
Look forward to meeting up with you guys on Sunday.
]Full service, plugs, water pump, coolant, brake fluid and serpentine belt was carried out at Porsche in April, and I've done <100 miles since.
This weekend the car has been washed, decontaminated, clayed, machine polished and the paintwork has been sealed with Polish Angel Master Sealant.
On Saturday the convertible roof was cleaned with 303 Fabric and Convertible Hood cleaner.
This morning it was sealed with 303 Fabric guard to waterproof it, which I suspect will see it through this years driving.
Hotel's booked, my co-pilot is all revved up ready to navigate, and we are hoping for nice weather so we can have some fun with the roof down all weekend.
Look forward to meeting up with you guys on Sunday.
BartyB
New member
If anyone's planning on taking part in the Rally single-handed, it might be worth putting a shout out for Club members who'd be prepared to ride shotgun with you and help with the navigation duties. We think that navigating the 85-mile Rally route single-handed could prove challenging. Trust us.
Likewise, any Club members want to volunteer to act as navigator for single-handed participants? Make a post below...
Likewise, any Club members want to volunteer to act as navigator for single-handed participants? Make a post below...
Having spent the last two days down in the Cotswolds, I have returned safely and car in one piece []
Travelled down on Saturday and though the weather at home was great, as soon as my dad arrived at my house to get on our way the heavens opened and it absolutely hammered it down until we got to Warwick []
So much for three days wasted getting it detailed.
Anyway I was up and out in the car park at 730am this morning with Megs Last Touch detailer and a couple of MF cloths to get the car sparkling again.
Had a fantastic time today on the rally, met some genuinely friendly people and my dad and I had a really enjoyable day throughout.
Thanks to the organisers and the club for all the effort they put in and the course marshalls who gave their time to make sure everything went smoothly.
It was a cracking event.
I only got a few pics at the final destination of Boughton Castle, when I get time I'll upload them to flickr and post the link.
If anyone got moving (or stationary) pics of me during the rally they'd be nice to see [8D]
Meteor grey Boxster - reg ends JMR []
]Travelled down on Saturday and though the weather at home was great, as soon as my dad arrived at my house to get on our way the heavens opened and it absolutely hammered it down until we got to Warwick [
]So much for three days wasted getting it detailed.
Anyway I was up and out in the car park at 730am this morning with Megs Last Touch detailer and a couple of MF cloths to get the car sparkling again.
Had a fantastic time today on the rally, met some genuinely friendly people and my dad and I had a really enjoyable day throughout.
Thanks to the organisers and the club for all the effort they put in and the course marshalls who gave their time to make sure everything went smoothly.
It was a cracking event.
I only got a few pics at the final destination of Boughton Castle, when I get time I'll upload them to flickr and post the link.
If anyone got moving (or stationary) pics of me during the rally they'd be nice to see [8D]
Meteor grey Boxster - reg ends JMR [
]
BartyB
New member
On behalf of the Cotswold Marshals Team, very many thanks for the kind comments James about your experiences of today’s rally. It’s always pleasing to receive feedback, none more so than when it’s so positive. We’re aware that there were a few niggles, fortunately not significant ones, but we’ll be able to factor these into our planning for next year. A big thanks to you and all the members who took part and supported the Rally. It makes all the hard work and many hours that go into the preparations and on the day worthwhile. Look forward to seeing the pics. Hope you’ll make it again next year.
Alan,
I would also like to say a big thanks to you and the organising team for making yesterday’s rally so enjoyable.
This was the first time we had attended and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The route chosen (and the weather!) helped show off the glorious Cotswolds countryside at its best and the final location at Broughton Castle was great. It was also good to meet up with so many fellow PCGB’ers!
Already looking forward to next year!
All the best,
Keith
I would also like to say a big thanks to you and the organising team for making yesterday’s rally so enjoyable.
This was the first time we had attended and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The route chosen (and the weather!) helped show off the glorious Cotswolds countryside at its best and the final location at Broughton Castle was great. It was also good to meet up with so many fellow PCGB’ers!
Already looking forward to next year!
All the best,
Keith
Many thanks to all organisers and marshalls, it was a great route (with great weather) and a great location. 12yo navigator claimed all the credit - said he did the hard work and I just had to go where he told me. A very enjoyable day out. Many thanks again and we're already looking forward to next year. The Rally Tripmeter app worked really nicely too.
Smug navigator in the background []
]
BartyB said:It was indeed James. Only when it was safe to do so of course.
Hehe [
]Brilliant, and to cap it all off I parked right next to you at the Castle.
Sorry for not getting chance to have a natter - there was always someone talking to you.
Did you get any decent pics Alan?
Would like to see them - I'll message you my email if you like.
Finally got round to taking the photos off my camera and uploading to Flickr
Heres a couple of samples, then link at the bottom to view the full gallery..
PCGB Cotswold Rally 2019 by *JMR*, on Flickr
PCGB Cotswold Rally 2019 by *JMR*, on Flickr
PCGB Cotswold Rally 2019 by *JMR*, on Flickr
PCGB Cotswold Rally 2019 by *JMR*, on Flickr
PCGB Cotswold Rally 2019 by *JMR*, on Flickr
Full gallery of photos click the link below
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmyfq8Jm
Heres a couple of samples, then link at the bottom to view the full gallery..
PCGB Cotswold Rally 2019 by *JMR*, on Flickr
PCGB Cotswold Rally 2019 by *JMR*, on Flickr
PCGB Cotswold Rally 2019 by *JMR*, on Flickr
PCGB Cotswold Rally 2019 by *JMR*, on Flickr
PCGB Cotswold Rally 2019 by *JMR*, on Flickr
Full gallery of photos click the link below
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmyfq8Jm
I never seem to be able to add multiple photos, and the one I can add, is always too big, so here's the Album link
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nS52ZaVdp5Jr4iEo8
Thanks,
Mark
PS, yes, there are a few of Martin, in a Martini jacket, next to Martini Porsche
https://photos.app.goo.gl/nS52ZaVdp5Jr4iEo8
Thanks,
Mark
PS, yes, there are a few of Martin, in a Martini jacket, next to Martini Porsche
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