SS 3/SS 6 – La Fatarella–Vilalba Special stage guide
38,85 km (gravel and tarmac)
Friday, 25 October 2019 • First car due: 11:13h / 17:16h
General description
This historic special stage of the RallyRACC, remains the same as it was a year ago: It changes its usual direction and adds a completely new finish, which makes this already highly selective layout even more difficult.
The special starts in La Fatarella, to make the first change from tarmac to gravel and face the first part of the stage, a very fast section with several tracks that may confuse the participants. The descent becomes sharper in a very complicated area, in the middle of the forest and filled with bumps, until reaching the chapel of Sant Francesc and the first tarmac section. The special coasts along the following gravel section until reaching the intersection at Riba-roja, to continue on asphalt.
From then on, participants will face the longest tarmac section, first going upwards and then downwards, until reaching the intersection in La Pobla de Massaluca. The layout returns to gravel, to continue to the new section of the stage.
A significant slope, with difficult access, takes the vehicles up to a flatter and faster section. Then, after another intersection, the stage continues meandering along the hillside until reaching the penultimate spectator area, a very narrow intersection, where the stage becomes very thin. After a few kilometres, the special returns to a much wider road, with linked bends, until reaching the section that was the start of the stage last year.
The slope to Vilalba dels Arcs is faced after 30 km of the special. The finish in Vilalba dels Arcs is the perfect culmination for a stage of this level: after the intersection on tarmac, right below the village, there is a straight, and 500 metres later there is another intersection, but this time, the participants will turn to the left to finish on gravel.
Spectator Area ZP-1
Intersection, a few metres after the start of the stage. It is located after the first few bends, driving upwards and a light gradient change. After the intersection, the road returns to gravel.
Access: The best way to get there is taking the T-733, the road between La Fatarella and Ascó. 2.5 km from La Fatarella and 10 km from Ascó there is the intersection that leads to the stage, heading for Riba-roja d'Ebre.
Parking: On the access road and around it, obviously trying not to block the accesses.
Spectator Area ZP-2
This is one of the largest spectator areas of the stage and the RallyRACC. The first area is the passage through a field of olive trees, very narrow, to continue on an asphalted section. After this section, the stage continues in front of the Sant Francesc chapel with a light upward-going right-hander.
Safe area in the upper sections of the nearby crop areas and on the hillsides of the forest surrounding the area.
Access: From La Fatarella, follow a path called "Camí dels Valencians". 5 kilometres later turn to the right heading for the Sant Francisco chapel. You reach the area, surrounded by olive trees, some 11.3 km later.
Parking: Difficult parking facilities. There is no car park, you may only park your car on the access road, trying not to block the passage. Be very careful, as it is a very narrow rural track. Please do always leave a free lane, as the accesses are also ways out in case of emergency!
Spectator Area ZP-3
Intersection with a change from gravel to tarmac, going upwards. After facing the road, the first right-hander is a nice hairpin. Safe location on the hillside.
Access: From Riba-roja d'Ebre continue on the TV-7411 road until the intersection.
Parking: On the access road. Please do always leave a free lane, as the accesses are also ways out in case of emergency.
Spectator Area ZP-4
End of the asphalted road and return to a gravel track, which is reached after a technical slope. Area with good visibility and easy location.
Access: From Gandesa following the TV-7231 and, after Vilalba dels Arcs and La Pobla de Massaluca, continue on the TV-7411 heading for Riba-roja d'Ebre. The road is closed some 8 km later, at kp 15.4, aprox. 800 metres from the intersection of the stage.
Parking: You may only park on the access road (TV-7411), always leaving one lane free to allow for circulation. Be careful, as the accesses are also ways out in case of emergency!
Spectator Area ZP-5
New area for all, drivers and spectators. It is reached after a very twisty section of the stage and it finishes in a very narrow intersection, on the right hand side. The safe area to follow the performance of the participants is located on the higher parts, next to the track.
Access: From La Fatarella, follow a path called "Camí dels Valencians". 6 kilometres later, turn to the left. After a bit more than 1 km, you will reach Spectator Area 5.
Parking: Difficult parking facilities. There is no car park, you may only park your car on the access road, trying not to block the passage. Please be very careful, as it is a very narrow rural track. Always leave a free lane, as the accesses are also ways out in case of emergency!
Spectator Area ZP-6
There are unmatched views and locations to witness the arrival of the cars at the intersection (on tarmac) right next to Vilalba dels Arcs. In addition to being able to have a panoramic view of the track along which the cars will be coming from a distance of several hundred meters, the cars will take another intersection, less than 500 metres away, to finish the longest stage of the day.
Access: The recommended access is following the TV-7231 from Gandesa. Follow the instructions to access the large car park that will be prepared very close to the stage. From the village you can reach a large area of more than one kilometre with excellent linked bends.
Parking: Area very close to the stage, in the built-up area of Vilalba dels Arcs.