SS-8 / SS-12 – Coll del Grau – 26,330 kms.

General description:
Completely new stage that will be used at this year’s RallyRACC Catalunya-Costa Daurada for the first time. The stage starts in Vilanova de Prades on a very wide road and with a very good surface. After 8 km it enters a narrower section crossing the Serra de Llena with a twisty 3-km section. Then the stage passes flat areas and a light ascent on a very fast road of some 10 km to Coll de Grau where it starts a steep descent after a last junction to finish in Margalef.

Spectator areas ZP-1
ZP-1 is a spectator area with good visibility and locations in which it is likeable that participants will make use of the drawing pen to deal with the wide bends.

 

Access: From the northwest, access from exit 8 or 9 on the AP-2, following the TV-7004 that leads to Vilanova de Prades from Vimbodí.

Attention!! The access to Vilanova from the Prades road will be restricted to rally participants only on the junction between T-700 and TV-7005.

Services:
- Camping in Vilanova de Prades.
- Limited parking space in Vilanova de Prades
 
Assessment: Location     -     Visibility     -     Spectacularity


Spectator areas ZP-2
ZP-2 is located very close to Ulldemolins and the junction can be very interesting, since it is very fast but with the added difficulty of the islets on the road creating a kind of chicane. After the junction there are some bends with clear cuts.

 

Access: Following the C-242 coming from Cornudella de Montsant and Alforja

Services:
- Parking and Camping in Ulldemolins.
 
Assessment: Location     -     Visibility     -     Spectacularity


Spectator areas ZP-3
ZP-3 is a small spectator area located at the end of the most twisty area of the stage. Since it is located between the mountains it does not have many good places to stay, but the landscape from Les Crestes de La Llena is quite spectacular.

 

Access: Access from the North, only 20 km from exit 8 of the AP-2 passing La Pobla de Cérvoles on the LP-7014.

Services: Limited parking space on the access road.
 
Assessment: Location     -     Visibility     -     Spectacularity


Spectator areas ZP-4
ZP-4 is on the fastest section of the stage. There is an interesting S-shaped section on the crossing followed by a very fast section.


Access: Access from the AP-2, very close to Lleida, taking exit 6 and 7 of the highway. From exit 6 take the L-700 ad then L-701 to Juncosa. From exit 7, follow the C-233 and the LV-7011 to Juncosa. The special is located 5 km from the village.

Services: Limited parking space on the L-701 coming from Juncosa.
 
Assessment: Location ** - Visibility ** - Spectacularity **


Spectator areas ZP-5
ZP-5 is the last spectator area of the stage since the finish is located in a hardly accessible area. This is probably the most interesting spot of this long and fast stage. A junction to the left with a complicated breaking manoeuvre will take participants to face the final part of the stage which is located between the mountains. The junction itself is the best option thanks to its visibility and spectacularity.


Access: To get to the junction drive to Bellaguarda following the C-242. If you are coming from the North, take exit 6 of the AP-2, follow the C-12 to the south until reaching the C-242 heading for Granadella and Bellaguarda. Coming from the South, follow the C-12 from Mora d’Ebre and after Flix take the C-233 to Granadella and then the C-242 to Bellaguarda.

Services: Parking area close to Bellaguarda, 2.3 km from the stage

Attention!! The coincidence with the access to the Margalef-La Palma stage a few metres away means that it will be especially controlled by the police.
 
Assessment: Location     -     Visibility     -     Spectacularity