Famous hairpin on Catalunya's Viladrau SS

[Brewer]

Hi,

It's been a while since I posted here for the last time. I'm sure you're the only ones that can help me ;)

I'm planning to visit Catalunya in September. I would like to see the famous hairpin on Viladrau Special Stage, where Gilles Panizzi was doing a memorable doughnut show in 2002 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3lycIaNMfc).

I'm trying to localize this particular place on a map. Could you help me with this? I know that the bridge is a part of Eix Transversal motroway and I presume it might be this place:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=pl&geocode=&q=Viladrau,+Hiszpania&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=53.035373,114.169922&ie=UTF8&ll=41.852114,2.452322&spn=0.003077,0.006968&t=h&z=18

What do you think? Thanks in advance for any help, tips etc.

[jimakos]

There are some experts around here about things like that!
You have to ask for help from Spains in this forum that know the place better than us!!
Sorry but I can't help you mate :)
Although,nice links :up:

[WRC1]

i am also not from spain, but as far as i know this famous piece of road is not in the itinerary these days....

two or three years ago the organisers change the location of the rallye from vic/costa brava (north-west of barcelona) to port aventura/costa daurada (south of barcelona)

reg

wrc1

[J4MIE]

Yes it's a shame they don't use it anymore as it always looked good.

I don't think that link is the correct place as there was a junction off the hairpin too (which then went under the bridge itself). I don't know the real location either so can't help you out any more, but would be interested to know where it is. There are plenty of Spaniards who will know the answer I'm sure :)

[MJW]

Not on the route since the event re-located from Lloret to Salou. Been at that particular place under the bridge, one of wrc's must see places, shame I missed Bunnings jumps.

[Barreis]

I more prefer when it wasn't bridge over the hairpin.. :)

[Brewer]

i am also not from spain, but as far as i know this famous piece of road is not in the itinerary these days....

two or three years ago the organisers change the location of the rallye from vic/costa brava (north-west of barcelona) to port aventura/costa daurada (south of barcelona)

Yes, I know that, but anyway, a picture of this place is still the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of Rally Catalunya and I would like to see it with my own eyes :) Still waiting for some help ;) Thanks in advance.

[General Prim]

It is not there, just a few kms more, you must drive C25 from Girona to Vic and EXIT: Sant Sadurni de Osomort. It is easy to see from the top of the bride. The rally road is BV 5201

[Brewer]

Thanks dude :)

[Le NaRcX]

Hi,

It's been a while since I posted here for the last time. I'm sure you're the only ones that can help me ;)

I'm planning to visit Catalunya in September. I would like to see the famous hairpin on Viladrau Special Stage, where Gilles Panizzi was doing a memorable doughnut show in 2002 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3lycIaNMfc).

I'm trying to localize this particular place on a map. Could you help me with this? I know that the bridge is a part of Eix Transversal motroway and I presume it might be this place:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=pl&geocode=&q=Viladrau,+Hiszpania&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=53.035373,114.169922&ie=UTF8&ll=41.852114,2.452322&spn=0.003077,0.006968&t=h&z=18

What do you think? Thanks in advance for any help, tips etc.

Hi guy, I live in the zone, the correct location is the crossing between C-25 and Sant Sadurní d'Osormort village road. I've marked the place of the hairpin in pink:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=es&msa=0&msid=115463660258986362969.0004723195d6a0dce451c&ll=41.896943,2.374206&spn=0.007826,0.016179&t=h&z=16

You should do the entire stage, is really worth and practically nobody drive for those roads.

[Brewer]

Hi guy, I live in the zone, the correct location is the crossing between C-25 and Sant Sadurní d'Osormort village road. I've marked the place of the hairpin in pink:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=es&msa=0&msid=115463660258986362969.0004723195d6a0dce451c&ll=41.896943,2.374206&spn=0.007826,0.016179&t=h&z=16

You should do the entire stage, is really worth and practically nobody drive for those roads.
Thanks, your map is great :)

[Langdale Forest]

I was there in 2004 when the first run of the stage had to be canceled because of phtographers standing on the outside on the corner and there was a near riot, with people throwing cans and bottles of the bridge and onto the road below. A gazebo was ripped up by the wind currents from a helicopter and in the end a van of Police arrived.

[AndiG]

I´m also sad that the stages in spain have been changed,the old stages were a lot better. I´ve never been there after the changing. I`ve been standing on the bridge when Gilles Panizzi did his donuts, it was one of the greatest moments of my spectator career :) (20 WRC events till now)!

[Brewer]

Hi, today I got back from Catalunya :) I followed your clues and found the place without any problem, thanks. I also did the way from Sant Sadurni d'Osormort to Sant Hilari Sacalm - it's truly amazing. Nice way home for people living on the top of the crag :) Here's my picture from the place ;)

http://photos.nasza-klasa.pl/3846882/29/other/std/f3b044e1a7.jpeg

[Barreis]

Did You pull the handbrake few times?

[J4MIE]

Nicely done Brewer, hope you enjoyed yourself :up:

[Brewer]

Did You pull the handbrake few times?
Haha, the car was rented and the road not closed (I met two cars going opposite direction), so I didn't gamble ;)

[Langdale Forest]

It's hard to belive that it was 5 years since that stage was last used.

[JFL]

Still some skidmarks.. ;)

[ProRally]

Still some skidmarks.. ;)

Local hooligans.... :D :D :D :D

[Barreis]

Haha, the car was rented and the road not closed (I met two cars going opposite direction), so I didn't gamble ;)

What about waiting while they pass?!

[sal]

What other rallies is this section of road used for? Sure I've seen pics from a Spanish or Regional champiopnship round going down hill at least...

[eloyf1]

What other rallies is this section of road used for? Sure I've seen pics from a Spanish or Regional champiopnship round going down hill at least...
National Rallye Costa Brava, Historic one, and some Catalonian Rallyes&Rallysprints

[J4MIE]

Any links to events websites eloyf1? :)

[Brewer]

What about waiting while they pass?!
I had hill on the left and trees on the right and no way to see what's around the corner for almost all the time. And I was driving a station wagon. You may say I'm looking for excuses for not driving agressive, but I really didn't feel comfortable enough to do so. And my two passenger girls were quite impressed anyway ;)

And there are skid marks all the way through, local "hooligans" are making use of this road, no question about it ;)

[atsiotras79]

Still some skidmarks.. ;)


I think that stage is still used in a local rally or rallysprint without being 100% sure.

[eloyf1]

Any links to events websites eloyf1? :)
I'm not from Catalonia, so I don't know which are their Regional rallyes, but here you have the info about Rallye Costa Brava (Old WRC Rallye Catalunya):
http://www.rallyclassics.org/portalnet2/Eventos/RallyCostaBrava/57RallyCostaBrava/tabid/113/language/en-US/Default.aspx

[Le NaRcX]

What other rallies is this section of road used for? Sure I've seen pics from a Spanish or Regional champiopnship round going down hill at least...

I haven't been to a rally for two years but that hairpin use to be run in several rallies of the Catalan championship like Rally d'Osona (http://www.escuderiaosona.com).

Hi Eloyf1 colleague, how are you doing? Rally Costa Brava goes over the hairpin but drivers do not do the hairpin, as I said, is not a common hairpin, is a junction of 2 ways which convined can make a hairpin if you change the way (if you want you can go straight, the road continues ahead). In Rally Costa Brava cars will pass under the bridge even they will face the Catalonia's flag coming from St. Sadurni d'Osormort but the hairpin ain't gonna exist.

[eloyf1]

http://img12.imageshack.us/i/lacantina.jpg

[eloyf1]

:(

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3417/lacantina.jpg

[AndyRAC]

:(

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3417/lacantina.jpg

:( How sad is that?? :(

One of the iconic parts of the WRC, yet hasn't been used recently, which is yet another mistake in the sport.

[Daniel]

:(

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/3417/lacantina.jpg
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[J4MIE]

Anyone know what is happening there? Are they just relaying the road surface or is there more to it...?

[eloyf1]

It's over, they are going to build a bigger road, if I'm not mistaken, so it's gonna disappear... There is a Facebook group, but I think it's now too late...
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1076999&op=1&o=all&view=all&subj=208024777917&aid=-1&oid=208024777917&id=779471589#/group.php?gid=208024777917

[Langdale Forest]

I am shocked to see it go, what is going to happen to the bridge?

[WRCS14]

Wow, this is shocking :( I was there in 2003 and 2004 :eek:

[Jordib]

It's said that after the works it will be rebuild a few meters inside, but still will be a similar hairpin in this place, not the same obviously, but after all we will be able to see action on a new hairpin...

[Brewer]

Hello! Again it's been a while :) This year I'm coming back to Catalunya for a short holidays. This time I will be more to the north in L'Estartit. I can't wait to see how the hairpin's surrounding changed since 2009. And again I would like to ask you for a little favour.

I really enjoyed going through the former Viladrau special stage and I would like to see more such roads that were Rally Catalunya's classics when it was taking place at Costa Brava. Can you give me some clues where to go?

I will be in Catalunya from 5th to 12th September. Maybe you know if there's going to be any motorsport event held during this time? Is it possible to visit any local automobile club?

Thank's in advance!

[Brewer]

OK, I'm back :)

As about Viladrau hairpin, the way the road goes didn't change a lot, but hairpin was moved a little bit, making the way slightly shorter. The viaduct has now a second roadway that is over the old hairpin's spike. And when the new roadway was built, the old bridgehead lost its famous Catalunyan painting :(

http://i.imgur.com/l8OHxxk.jpg

I also visited Coll de Bracons special stage from Rally Catalunya Costa Brava 2001. I recorded the way using a phone attached to the rear view mirror with two hair bands borrowed from my wife :) You can see some excerpts here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5Q9F8KX6Sc