SS8/11 El Priorat
45.97 km / Saturday, 10 November 2012 /Start 1st vehicle: 09:15h and 15:06h
| General description |
It is the longest asphalt stage of the world championship, with a selective and varied layout that seems to be endless but is very amusing for participants. The route is the same as in 2011 but with almost 4km added at the end. A fast opening section takes the drivers on T-732 to the famous intersection at El Molar, one of the most crowded parts of the rally, where drivers can really feel the support of the fans thanks to the large straight after the intersection. After passing La Figuera, there is a rather twisty descent before reaching T-714 to La Bisbal de Falset. After skirting the village there is a narrow section with very good grip and linked bends that lead to La Palma d'Ebre. This marathon-stage finishes 4 km after crossing the village. |
| Spectator Area ZP-1 |
ZP-1 is located at the exit of El Lloar. The stage starts with a sequence of long bends linked by fast sections. |
Assessment:
Location  -
Visibility
- Spectacularity |
| Spectator Area ZP-2 |
This is one of the most spectacular - and best known - points of the rally: the famous 180º intersection of El Molar, where participants usually use their handbrakes and skid. You have to get there early since there is no natural grandstand and there is not a good visibility. Access: From the village of García following C-12, take T-731 to El Molar. Services: Large parking area in El Molar. Camping site in El Molar and La Figuera. The access to La Figuera will be closed from midnight on the previous day. |
| Assessment:
Location –
Visibility
- Spectacularity |
| Spectator Area ZP-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 the village of La Torre de l’Espanyol behind. The stage is located at kp 3.9 of T-714. Services: Limited parking space on T-714. |
| Assessment:
Location –
Visibility
- Spectacularity |
| Spectator Area ZP-4 |
Very fast section after the intersection coming from the Cabacés road. 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. |
| Assessment:
Location –
Visibility
- Spectacularity |
| Spectator Area ZP-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 from the hill within 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 heading for 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 Bisnal. Services: Delimited parking area in the soccer filed of La Bisbal de Falset if accessing before midnight. During the day, the access of vehicles to the soccer field will be controlled until filled. Then, the access to Margalef will be closed from 3 km. |
| Assessment:
Location –
Visibility
- Spectacularity |
| Spectator Area ZP-6 |
Another 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 ZP-5 to 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 ZP-7 |
It is a section that links long and fast bends, offering good location possibilities and good visibility. Access: From Salou, AP7 (E-15) towards Valencia, exit 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 |
| Spectator Area ZP-8 |
The interest of this point is the passage of the cars at high speed through the built-up area in La Palma d'Ebre, with wide visibility. It is actually a complementary area of ZP-7, which is some 800 metres away, but the view is completely different. Access: From Salou, AP7 (E-15) towards Valencia, exit 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: Easy-to-fin car park in the built-up area of La Palma d'Ebre. Camping site in La Palma d’Ebre. |
| Assessment:
Location –
Visibility
- Spectacularity |
| Spectator Area ZP-9 |
Another complementary area. It is a fast section with good asphalt and a bend that closes on the intersection, around 1 km after La Palma d'Ebre. Access: The same as for ZP-8, but then continue walking from La Palma d'Ebre or from Flix, following C-233 to the right until Bovera and then the local road (not numbered) to the right until reaching T-703. Services: If coming from the junction in Bovera, free car parking on the local road. |
| Assessment:
Location –
Visibility
- Spectacularity |