SS5/7 El Priorat

42,04 km (asphalt)

Saturday, 26 October 2013. First car due: 10.05h and 14.33h

General description

This is a stage drivers are always very fond of. This year it is shorter than in 2012, but it will remain beautiful, quite decisive and selective. Starting about 4 km from El Lloar, it is a very quick stage at the beginning, and it takes participants along T-732 to the famous El Molar intersection, one of the points gathering the largest spectator crowds, where drivers truly notice their special support thanks to the long straight after the intersection. After passing La Figuera, there is a rather twisty descent before reaching T-714 to La Bisbal de Falset. Once there, and skirting around the village, the road leads to a narrow section, with a lot of grip and twisty that leads to the final part of Margalef to La Palma d'Ebre. A marathon-like stage that will put drivers, cars and tyres to the test.



Spectator Area-1

It is located at the exit of El Lloar. The stage starts with a sequence of long bends linked by fast sections.




Access -1: Access to El Lloar from Gratallops. To reach Gratallops, follow T-712 from Falset. It is recommended to get there on the previous day before midnight. The access will be restricted from Gratallops due to the rally caravan.

Access -2: Access with little capacity. Asphalted road of 6.5 km starting from Bellmunt del Priorat. To reach the village, take TP-7101 from Falset. After approx. 3 km from Bellmunt and right after crossing the river, turn right. Following the asphalted road you will reach the stage after approx. 3.5 km. Access forbidden for campers.

Services: Possibility to park in El Lloar (if you get there before midnight or before the road is closed). Very limited parking space on the road coming from Bellmunt del Priorat.
Assessment: Location     -   Visibility     -   Spectacularity


Spectator Area-2

This is one of the most spectacular - and best known- points of the rally: the famous 180º intersection of El Molar, with a 180º angle, where participants usually use their handbrakes and skid. You have to get there early since there is no natural grandstand and there isn't good visibility but huge crowds of spectators.




Access: From the village of García following C-12, take T-731 to El Molar.

Services: Large parking area in El Molar, with camping sites both in El Molar and in La Figuera. The access to La Figuera will be closed from midnight on the previous day.
Assessment: Location     –    Visibility     -   Spectacularity


Spectator Area-3

This area starts at the junction between T-730 and T-714. It has a rather delicate braking section on linked bends and then the stage continues along a section with large visibility.




Access: Take T-714 coming from C-12 passing by Vinebre, leaving La Torre de l’Espanyol behind. The stage to be seen is located at KM 3.9 of T-714.

Services: Limited parking space on T-714.
Assessment: Location     –    Visibility     -   Spectacularity


Spectator Area-4

Very fast section after the intersection coming from Cabacés. Very spectacular views.




Access: Following T-702 coming from La Vilella Baixa and Cabacés, within the El Priorat region.

Services: Limit car parking space nearby T-702 and T-714. Avoid blocking the available space.
Assessment: Location     –    Visibility     -   Spectacularity


Spectator Area-5

It is located almost in the built-up area of La Bisbal de Falset. It is a 90º left-hand junction reached after a fast section crossing the bridge of the Montsant river. It is an area with excellent location and visibility, as you can see the cars from the hill in this picturesque village.






Access: The only option to reach this point is accessing through Bellaguarda and Margalef. If you are coming from the North, take exit 6 of AP-2, follow C-12 to the south until reaching C-242 and continue towards Granadella and Bellaguarda. Coming from the South, follow C-12 from Mora d’Ebre and after Flix take C-233 to Granadella. From that point, continue 9 km on C-242, cross Bellaguarda and continue 12 km to Margalef. Nearby the village, there will be a vehicle passage control, 3 km from the stage, according to the number of cars already in La Bisbal.

Services: Limited parking area on the soccer field of La Bisbal de Falset if accessing before midnight. During the day, the access of vehicles to the soccer field will be controlled until it is filled-up. Then, the access to Margalef will be closed in a radius of 3 km.
Assessment: Location     –    Visibility     -   Spectacularity


Spectator Area-6

A very interesting spot of the stage, since it is an area with large visibility. The stage coincides with the junction coming from the old Margalef stage. There is a very long left-hander within a natural grandstand; an ideal place to enjoy the rally comfortably and safe.




Access: Using the same access as for Spectator Area 5 until Bellaguarda, take the asphalted road 500 metres before the junction of T-713. When reaching the angle which was part of a former stage, continue to the right and the asphalted road will take you to the stage.

Services: Limited car park on the access road.
Assessment: Location     –    Visibility     -   Spectacularity


Spectator Area-7

This is the last area of the stage, with a chain of long and fast bends, offering good location and visibility.




Access: In short, and always starting from Salou, taking AP-7 (E-15) towards Valencia: leave the highway at L’Hospitalet de l’Infant; follow C-44 and C-12 until Móra la Nova; C-12 passing Vinebre; follow T-2237 on the right hand until La Palma d'Ebre.

Services: Several parking areas, signposted for spectators. Camping site in La Palma d’Ebre.
Assessment: Location     –    Visibility     -   Spectacularity