Anticipation is building for the Weaver Brothers Island Stages 2024, which will see rallying action return to the Isle of Wight in just 2 weeks time on Sunday 3rd November.
In what is a significant step forward for rallying in the South of England, sections of the public highway in and around Havenstreet will be closed to make way for an octane-fuelled day of motorsport, with more than 55 competitors battling against the clock to fight for a podium position.
The entry list is bursting with some of the quickest rally drivers in the country so spectators are in for a real treat, with 8 special stages being run between 09:00 and 17:30 – the last 2 expected to be in the dark.
Setting off every 30 seconds, competitors will navigate their way through Firestone Copse to Havenstreet, then down Rowlands Lane towards The Downs. The stage, which is anticipated to be very quick in places with some significant challenges, will be run in both directions.
You can expect to see the competitors on the main roads too as they drive out of the stage finish onto The Downs, then to and from the service area at Newport Quay and the stage start in Wootton.
A dedicated spectator viewing area will be set up at The Cow Shed, Havenstreet with a shuttle bus running to spectator parking at the Isle Of Wight Steam Railway at the other end of the village. There will be excellent viewing of an exciting junction as well as panoramic views along Firestone Copse Road and Rowlands Lane from the steep hill opposite. There will be catering and toilets available at The Cow Shed.
Firestone Copse will be accessible on foot via the footpath from near the White Hart Inn in Havenstreet and via Newnham Lane for the more intrepid rally fans. It is not recommended to try and view along Rowlands Lane as the adjacent land is private and the hedges are tall.
Spectating is free of charge, but please spectate safely!
Rally Schedule
The following schedule is approximate and may be subject to change.
- 09:00 First cars leaving Service
- 09:15-10:30 SS1 & SS2
- 10:30-11:30 Morning Service
- 11:15-12:30 SS3 & SS4
- 12:30-14:15 Lunchtime Service
- 14:00-15:15 SS5 & SS6
- 15:15-16:30 Afternoon Service
- 16:00-17:15 SS7 & SS8
- 17:30 Final cars returning to Service
- 18:00 Awards presentation
Spectator FAQs
Where should I park to view the action?
For the Spectator Area, park at the Steam Railway and use the shuttle bus which will take you through the village also stopping at the White Hart Inn. Do not park in Havenstreet, or on the closed roads leading up to the stage route – these must be kept clear for emergency access! Donations directly to the Steam Railway and shuttle bus operator for their services are welcomed.
For the Service Area, park in Newport town centre or Seaclose car park (which is free of charge at weekends!)
How long will the road closure be in place?
The closure will be between 08:00-20:00. If you arrive early to park in Firestone Copse car park you can expect to be stuck in there all day.
This is my first rally – what can I expect?
Rally spectating is quite different to many other forms of motorsport. The stages run over a large area and there are no facilities if you venture away from the defined Spectator Areas. Remember; you will be outside in November – warm clothing, waterproof coats and welly boots are a must!
The rally cars will run in a seeded order of fastest to slowest at 30 second intervals. Before they pass by you will see several Safety Cars which are marked 000, Safety Delegate, 00 and 0. These cars are there to check the stage is safe for competitors and are your warning that the stage is about to go live with competitors. Follow their instructions if necessary – failure to do so will mean the stage is delayed or cancelled altogether.
In areas with spectators but limited visibility you will find marshals use whistles to warn of approaching cars. Once all the competitors have passed by, you will see the Sweeper car, which has a chequered flag on its door panels. Keep vigilant though; there may still be vehicles moving on the stage such as recovery crews.
It is definitely worth making a stop at the Service Area to watch the teams in action repairing damage, changing tyres, or just telling tales of the action out on the stages. You can get up close to the cars and most crews will be only too happy to talk about their cars and how their rally is going.
It’s no surprise the island is full of drivers who
break the speed limit on island Roads.
IW Council should put a stop to allowing these type
of events happening on such a small island.
It is encouraging speeding.
Want to race, go to a motor track.
what a pathetic comment
Of course such events encourage speeding
The Island will never reach Net Zero targets with
such events being allowed to take place.
Majority of vehicles on the island are Diesel and petrol
vehicles.