Visitor FAQ

This page will attempt to answer many of your frequently asked questions, and to fill in any information about the Rally not covered elsewhere! We will attempt to answer any further questions sent by email or left as comments here ASAP – please don’t hesitate to ask.

Please note that during the event weekend and in the days immediately before, it is best if you contact us by phone:

York Rally enquiries mobile:

0746 732 1443

Please use this number for all non-urgent enquiries. For emergencies, there is a separate number:

York Rally Emergencies:

0746 732 1440

Please call this number immediately if there is an accident, a threat to safety, or to report a lost child.

General questions

What COVID precautions will be in place for 2022?
As an outdoor event the York Rally will, we hope, remain a low-risk event during the COVID pandemic. The organising committee continue to monitor the COVID situation closely, and will work with City of York Council, and within any official guidance, to ensure that the event is as safe as possible for visitors and for the volunteer team who run it.

We will update this section closer to the time with more details, but possible mitigations include social distancing in e.g. booking queues, FFP2 masks for volunteers dealing with booking-in, enhanced ventilation in marquees,  and layout changes for e.g. Saddlebag Sale.

The 2022 event will only take place if it can do so safely. If the event must be cancelled, all campsite bookings with be refunded in full, just as they were after the cancellation of the 2020 event.

Is it free to get in?
Yes! And all of the activities are free too unless otherwise stated, including the rides (there is however a small entry fee for the 100k Audax). For the Saddlebag Sale it’s £1 to get in unless you’re a Friend of York Rally or have bought the show programme (costing £1). Of course we do have to charge for camping pitches, and for trade stands. And we would very much appreciate visitors supporting the event by joining the Friends of York Rally.

What are the opening hours?
The site is open all weekend, so there are no opening hours as such, but trade show and arena events mostly start at 10:30AM, and end at 6PM on Saturday, 4.30PM on Sunday. The campsite is open from 4PM Friday to 10AM Monday. See the ‘Displays and activities‘ and Rides pages for more details, or the “What’s on when” panel on the website front page.

Is the site accessible for wheelchair users?
In general, yes – the Knavesmire is basically a level field but sections are rough or bumpy grass, which can be wet. The marquees have level access (the grass is the floor).  There are disabled toilet facilities both in the main Racecourse toilets and also out on the campsite (two Portaloo-type disabled loos).  But unfortunately we have not yet been able to source any mobile showers with level access: for the ones we have, the shower cubicles can only be accessed via steps.  Our team is keen to make the Rally as accessible as we possibly can: please do contact us with any queries or to suggest adaptations we might be able to make.

Is there free parking?
Yes, there’s ample free parking on site! There will be a donation bucket, and all contributions are much appreciated.

Is the car boot sale on again this year?
Yes, there’s a car boot sale taking place on the Saturday morning – visit the York Car Boot website for the details. It’s a completely separate event from the Rally, but only a few hundred yards away – it’s on the field next to Bishopthorpe Road.  Get up early and have a rummage for a bargain!

Are dogs are allowed on the Rally site?
Short answer: yes!
Longer answer: Dogs are permitted in all areas of the York Rally site except for any condoned off areas, including the arena and any other areas from which the general public is excluded and, with exception of assistance dogs, in the marquees or in the vicinity of catering areas. Dogs must be kept under close control  and keepers are requested to refrain from using extending leads in all camping, trade/exhibition areas, other circulation areas and designated access routes. All waste from dogs must be disposed of appropriately and certainly not in the recycle bins.

Is it free to join the rides and where do they leave from?
Unless otherwise stated, all rides are free of charge and you can just turn up to join. Departure points are located along the fencing by the main tarmac road leading into the Rally: see map in the show programme. Departure points for each ride, and any changes made since the programme went to print, will be displayed in the Rally HQ (where route details can also be found) and on each of the departure boards.
Please note that riders must satisfy themselves that they and their machines are capable of the pace, distance and type of the organised rides. The Rally Committee, organisers and ride leaders can not be held responsible for riders who fail to do so.

Campsite questions

Do I need to pre-book or can I just turn up and pay on the day?
You can pay on the day, no problem! Advance booking means quicker check-in, the option of being sited with your friends, club or other group, and if you book early, cheaper rates. But it’s no problem to pay on the day, too.

For paying on the day, do you take cards?
Yes, we have a card payment facility but please do bring cash if you can – the card reader relied on mobile signal which can be temperamental. Cash on the other hand is very reliable!

Where do we go when we arrive?
By car/motorhome/caravan, come to the entrance half way along Knavesmire Road (opposite the junction with Knavesmire Crescent). See it on Google Streetview. There’s plenty of room to swing in even with a big caravan. You’ll then be marshalled until you can move onto the site – please just follow directions. 
On foot or by bike, go to the Racecourse end of Knavesmire Road. The access has been remade since previous Rallies, and the entrance is now approximately where the dark car is parked in front of the gates on this Streetview image. Again, follow signs and directions from marshalls.

Do we need any receipts for online bookings etc. when we get there?
No, if you have pre-booked just tell the person at the desk your name and they will have you on their list. You’ll then be allocated a pitch.

Is it OK to arrive late at night?
No problem – but it would be helpful if you could let us know in advance. Please call us on  0746 732 1443. We can probably give you a pitch number in advance. If that’s not possible and you arrive after 11:30ish at night, just park up safely near the entrance and check in at Rally HQ in the morning.

Is the campsite accessible for wheelchair users?
In general, yes – the Knavesmire is basically a level field but sections are rough or bumpy grass, which can be wet. The marquees have level access (the grass is the floor).  There are disabled toilet facilities both in the main Racecourse toilets and also out on the campsite (two Portaloo-type disabled loos).  But unfortunately we have not yet been able to source any mobile showers with level access: for the ones we have, the shower cubicles can only be accessed via steps.  Our team is keen to make the Rally as accessible as we possibly can: please do contact us with any queries or to suggest adaptations we might be able to make.

My family consists of two adults and three children with one car . We may have to bring two smaller tents rather than our big family tent as it takes up a lot of room in the car. Would I have to pay for two pitches?
You only need to book one motorist pitch – there will be plenty of room for two small tents and a car.

Are we allowed BBQs at the site providing they are off the floor?
BBQs are not an issue as long as they are off the ground and you do not put the charcoal in the skips until it’s cold.

Are fire pits allowed?
Sorry, no, those are not allowed on the Knavesmire.

Are there electric hook-ups for tents?
Unfortunately we have no electric hookups for any of the pitches.

How many showers will be on site and when are they open?
Usually the number is adequate, so that you won’t have to wait long. The number we get depends on the number of pre bookings – so booking in advance really does help us get it right. The showers require both gas and electricity to run, so to avoid having a large generator running 24 hours we have set the following opening times:
Showers opening hours:
Friday: 4 to 10 pm.
Saturday: 7 to 9:30 am, 2 to 5 pm, 7 to 9 pm.
Sunday: 7 to 9:30 am, 12 to 3 pm, 5 to 6 pm.

Is there on site security, especially if we are leaving bikes at tents?
There will be overnight security but it’s a large area so it’s simply not possible for us to guarantee security. We recommend that you lock bikes to car/railings.

More questions? Ask our campsite team: campsite@yorkrally.org

Catering questions

Will there be catering on site?
Yes – we always ensure there is a good selection. There’s always a dependable burger (and chips, drinks & more) van, ice cream, coffee, and usually three or more other outlets. For 2019 these will include MioPizza who do woodfired pizza including a vegan menu.
2022 details TBC!

Will there be a beer tent/bar?
Yes, we will have a bar on site! Opening hours:
Friday: 4 pm to 11 pm
Saturday: 10.30 am to 11 pm
Sunday: 10.30 am to 4 pm

What are the catering and bar opening hours? Will there be something be open in time for breakfast?
Yes, the catering outlets have been asked to open from 7AM.
Opening hours:
Friday 4 pm to 11 pm.
Saturday: 7 am to 11 pm
Sunday: 7 am to 4 pm

More questions? Ask our catering team: catering@yorkrally.org

Evening entertainment questions

Will there be any evening entertainments?
There will be evening entertainment! The Foresters who traditionally play a folk gig at the Rally on the Saturday evening have now (2019) retired, but we’ll announce a replacement for 2022 ASAP. See the Talks and Performances page.

More questions? Leave a comment or ask our Rally team: info@yorkrally.org