So I volunteered at my first rally this saturday. It was a blast. Lots of nice people and great weather. But something was a little alarming to me. There were only twelve entries! And by the second day there were eight cars that had not succumb to terminal damage. Even fewer cars finished that day. Sitting on a blockage all day in the desert is not as "spectacular" when only 5 cars go racing by. It was still a great experience and inspiring. But I heard this event used to have loads of competitors. Is this downward trend only local to this area or present in all of US rally? (and Canada) (I have a few pics of the event, but not sure how to post them here) https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,12989#msg-12989 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:37:49 -0500 Phorum 5.2.15a https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13222#msg-13222 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13222#msg-13222 -------------------------------------------------------
> Anders Green Wrote:
> > I'm really thinking about the effect of gas
> prices
> > and the economy, which has only really
> surfaced in
> > the last 9-12 months. Many events seem down
> this
> > year compared to last, and I don't think last
> year
> > was a high-point off rally participation, so
> I'm
> > wondering if our roller coaster went into a
> dip,
> > and then into _another_ dip.
>
> I am very concerned about this.

It is having a definite affect on my rally spending this year.


]]> mothra Rally Chat Sat, 22 Mar 2008 09:41:59 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13178#msg-13178 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13178#msg-13178 Eddie Fiorelli Rally Chat Thu, 20 Mar 2008 20:45:58 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13175#msg-13175 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13175#msg-13175 -------------------------------------------------------
> Have there
> been rallies in ridgecrest in the past, or is this
> the first?

Ridgecrest has a long history of rallying. Here's the results from
one in 1974.

http://www.rallyracingnews.com/scca/rally/hdt74.html


]]> hoche Rally Chat Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:42:25 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13171#msg-13171 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13171#msg-13171 Eddie Fiorelli Rally Chat Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:48:28 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13141#msg-13141 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13141#msg-13141 Slowwpoke Rally Chat Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:17:12 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13133#msg-13133 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13133#msg-13133 sagsert Rally Chat Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:39:58 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13132#msg-13132 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13132#msg-13132
See: http://www.rimoftheworldrally.com/images/Area%2051.5.jpg

]]> Eddie Fiorelli Rally Chat Wed, 19 Mar 2008 21:32:29 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13131#msg-13131 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13131#msg-13131 -------------------------------------------------------


>
> Totally love the idea of the HDT, though. That's
> promising and I'd be all over it if I had a car
> right now.

What's HDT?
>
> Brian DR1665 | Phoenix, AZ
> Have a lucky day.


]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:37:35 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13127#msg-13127 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13127#msg-13127
I *will* say that the roads for DS seemed really nice to me. I've only driven them in either my street trim Galant or the wife's Amigo. It's pretty easy to find yourself doing 60+ on those roads (in most sections) in a street car, so I can only imagine how it would be in a proper car.

As for attendance, despite having the utmost respect for those who would work to put on an event, I have no interest in being associated with any RA events. The kicker for me was when a certain someone within RA, in response to my comments about non-mainstream-media-assigned photographers, it was said to the effect of, "If they are with a recognized media outlet, they're in. If not, they can stay in the spectator areas."

Sure thing. Price the average Joe out of the sport, slow him down to a snail's pace if he can afford it, then make sure there is no place for spectators, in general. Eff that.

Totally love the idea of the HDT, though. That's promising and I'd be all over it if I had a car right now.]]> DR1665 Rally Chat Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:48:53 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13097#msg-13097 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13097#msg-13097 The first stage had a nasty rocky riverbed section of a few hundred yards that Eddie has already mentioned, the rest seemed smooth, somewhat marbly.
I had been warned that it was fast, fast, fast, but slow way down for the washes.
The washes that I went thru didn't seem that bad, although there were also some really sandy parts in the high speed sections that sucked the car around and made you pucker a little. Having said that I think my mind was elsewhere worrying about the climbing water temp.

In hindsight I probably should not have pressed on regardless and would still have a motor with it's bearings where they are supposed to be!
]]> nick the brit Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:51:14 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13095#msg-13095 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13095#msg-13095
If I were running notes then yeah, I can see the expectations of accuracy are different. And if I had low confidence in the notes I could see staying away.

The roads were indeed more fast than technical although this year the ratio wasn't as skewed as last year (ie more technical sections but still generally a fast rally), too fast I can't really comment on since my GTI is a bit weak in the motor dept, and all I remember about the yumps in a row was how fun it was. Clearly, that's just my take in a putt-putt GTI, so YMMV :D.

Brian, where does this remark about bashing organizers can from? I thought we were trying to discuss why the low turnout. If people don't like the roads and notes, then its probably better to let the organizer know the issues and know that turn out might be low before they sink tons of time and money in an event that may likely not break even.]]> Eddie Fiorelli Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 13:06:14 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13091#msg-13091 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13091#msg-13091
My own personal thing is that after being involved with the fire service for 7 years and finding my own personal maturity through that (as a firefighter, EMT, etc), I decided that there's a lot more to life than worrying about this stuff too much.

Phone is the worst for me. I've been working A LOT and when I finally get home late in the evenings, my brain is mush. I'll try to call this weekend.

...Brian...]]> rallybrick Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:27:00 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13090#msg-13090 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13090#msg-13090 -------------------------------------------------------
> I
> And I genuinely thought John meant to send me a PM
> but replied openly.

Naw I was being silly.
>


>
> John, I need to get my SAM coilovers back. I
> would really appreciate it if you would respond to
> my PMs or emails. Thanks.

I usually am near the phone.

Hey you said somebody might be interested, how they going use these?
You want the dead tube/knuckles?
I'm supposed to pick up steel today fro another run of tubes which means I could make some tubes to make the inserts DIRECT FIT, so they could function as spares of whatever, this is phone call type stuff, mang!
>
> ...Brian...


]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:12:01 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13089#msg-13089 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13089#msg-13089
I didn't post the info I've heard because it's all second-hand and I don't believe they ran the same roads this year. Plus, at the time people were talking last year, it seemed like the end of rally in the Southwest was near and these folks didn't want to start bashing the existing events in the fear that they would go away and then we'd be even more SOL. Now we have a number of new events in CRS (granted, they're spread apart further) with the possibility of two new rallysprints -- all that under the NASA sanction -- so maybe it's not quite so sensitive or taboo now to talk about why you didn't like one event over another.

And I genuinely thought John meant to send me a PM but replied openly.

Eddie, wasn't there a section in the notes last year that actually had a distance call of "1600" between sweeping turns? The complaints I heard were that the roads were waaaay too fast, not the least bit technical, and the section of 8 or so jumps in a row was unnecessary.

John, I need to get my SAM coilovers back. I would really appreciate it if you would respond to my PMs or emails. Thanks.

...Brian...]]> rallybrick Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:06:22 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13088#msg-13088 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13088#msg-13088 > I'm really thinking about the effect of gas prices
> and the economy, which has only really surfaced in
> the last 9-12 months. Many events seem down this
> year compared to last, and I don't think last year
> was a high-point off rally participation, so I'm
> wondering if our roller coaster went into a dip,
> and then into _another_ dip.

I am very concerned about this.



]]> tipo158 Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 12:00:30 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13083#msg-13083 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13083#msg-13083 -------------------------------------------------------
> bah, screw the PMs.

Yeah!

Eddie, this business of all smiley smiley in "Public" and then lies and snarls and threats when "Out of view" is one of the major drawbacks to the way the sport, small as it is, is carried on here. Ultimately you can't please everybody, but for me anyway, if I know a person is HONEST, even if we strongly disagree, then we can work together, and have genuine respect.

Better to talk of PROBLEMS, "en claire" and if people act stupid and butt hurt, then HAMMER HOME the message that we are speaking of PROBLEMS (of organisation, running, road selection, not PEOPLE and if they're "good" or "bad".

There are some stupid people and they seem attracted to certain brands and trades, but there's not a lot we can do about that.

But you're right SCREW PMs

>
> I was at DS last year and this year, my take last
> year was that people were complaining that the
> roads got too rough at spots. However, I felt that
> the rough spots weren't so terrible it was just
> that you were flying on smooth fast roads for most
> of the stage and then you hit a rough part. Those
> who didn't adjust to change in road conditions
> broke thier cars.

Don't they have eyes? And brakes?



The new stages were somewhat
> similar but only 1 stage really had the rough (and
> it was river bed drive for like half a mile..so it
> was very rough). But again, I take it that's the
> organizer throwing a challenge at the teams..know
> when to drive fast and when to save the wheels.

Smart driving is GOOD
>
> Being relatively new to the southwest region it
> didn't take me long to see that there is some bad
> blood between some organizers/competitors which
> does translate into what events people will enter.
> Mustafa isn't alone in his sentiment, there are
> other teams that feel similarly. With such a small
> sport its really too bad, but that's the way it
> is.

I know, but it really is a shame. There is simply too much back room "Politicing" and its just a terrible when you know there's a good chance somebody standing there talking to you is holding stuff back, essentially lying by omission, for nothing.

I have really never seen a problem that isn't better solved by serious open discussion vs a few people saying one thing and withholding info they have decided is too "secret" or "special".

But as we see on the closed down poll about banning me, 30% would prefer "Isn't everything just Peeeachy" type of discussion
>
>
>


]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:33:44 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13077#msg-13077 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13077#msg-13077
I was at DS last year and this year, my take last year was that people were complaining that the roads got too rough at spots. However, I felt that the rough spots weren't so terrible it was just that you were flying on smooth fast roads for most of the stage and then you hit a rough part. Those who didn't adjust to change in road conditions broke thier cars. The new stages were somewhat similar but only 1 stage really had the rough (and it was river bed drive for like half a mile..so it was very rough). But again, I take it that's the organizer throwing a challenge at the teams..know when to drive fast and when to save the wheels.

Being relatively new to the southwest region it didn't take me long to see that there is some bad blood between some organizers/competitors which does translate into what events people will enter. Mustafa isn't alone in his sentiment, there are other teams that feel similarly. With such a small sport its really too bad, but that's the way it is.


]]> Eddie Fiorelli Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 10:21:02 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13075#msg-13075 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13075#msg-13075 > Dude, this dwindling entry thing is THE MAIN THING ...

> Anders Green Wrote:
> Has anyone done some (recently, like up to
> date) statistics of the last 5-10 years or so?


Alan Wrote:
> Yeah, I went through Rally Racing News...
>
> What this look at the data showed is there is no
> long-term trend of decreasing numbers of entries.
> The overall trend was an up-and-down roller
> coaster.

I'm really thinking about the effect of gas prices and the economy, which has only really surfaced in the last 9-12 months. Many events seem down this year compared to last, and I don't think last year was a high-point off rally participation, so I'm wondering if our roller coaster went into a dip, and then into _another_ dip.

Cheers,
Anders]]> Anders Green Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:33:17 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13069#msg-13069 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13069#msg-13069 > rallybrick Wrote:
> > Considering there are only 3 RA events in CRS this
> > year and the HANS thing and decisions alluded to
> > by Moose are issues for some folks, you will
> > probably see entries start picking up as the NASA
> > events start rolling around. There were also a
> > handful of competitors that I spoke to last year
> > who disliked the DS roads and said privately that
> > they would not run them again, though I've
> > personally never run them, so won't bash them.
>
> Hey Brian, privately now, just between us, what's
> up with the roads?
> Too fast ? too simple? too rough?

I liked the roads, but I only ran it in the old one-day format. Two stages, ran twice in each direction.

I imagine Ken Cassidy doesn't like it there because his car burned to the ground there and Gary Rea doesn't like it because he got winded on a landing so badly that folks thought he was having a heart attack.

alan


]]> tipo158 Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:43:07 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13068#msg-13068 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13068#msg-13068
...Brian...]]> rallybrick Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:37:51 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13067#msg-13067 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13067#msg-13067 > john vanlandingham Wrote:
> > Dude, this dwindling entry thing is THE MAIN THING ...
> > It is a seriously troubling long term trend
>
> Has anyone done some (recently, like up to date)
> statistics of the last 5-10 years or so?

Yeah, I went through Rally Racing News and did up an Excel spreadsheet for most of the events there. Unfortunately, I seem to have lost it in a recent disk crash. Gotta dig through my back-ups and see if I can find it.

What this look at the data showed is there is no long-term trend of decreasing numbers of entries. The overall trend was an up-and-down roller coaster.

Some events would experience significant drops in entries and then bounce back and other wouldn't. Unfortunately, just having the numbers doesn't explain the reasons behind the drops or increases in entries.

alan

]]> tipo158 Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 01:34:14 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13064#msg-13064 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13064#msg-13064 -------------------------------------------------------
> Considering there are only 3 RA events in CRS this
> year and the HANS thing and decisions alluded to
> by Moose are issues for some folks, you will
> probably see entries start picking up as the NASA
> events start rolling around. There were also a
> handful of competitors that I spoke to last year
> who disliked the DS roads and said privately that
> they would not run them again, though I've
> personally never run them, so won't bash them.

Hey Brian, privately now, just between us, what's up with the roads?
Too fast ? too simple? too rough?
Sure seems like a lot of nasty politics down there.
Has it always been this slimey?
>
> ...Brian...


]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:42:27 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13061#msg-13061 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13061#msg-13061
If you are around in two weeks, check out the High Desert Trails rallysprint in Ridgecrest. It's already got 4 entries and is welcoming all-comers, including vehicles sanctioned by organizations rhyming with "OR". Should be low-key and fun. Starts at 10am, it's cheap, compact, no pressure, and newbie-friendly.

...Brian...]]> rallybrick Rally Chat Tue, 18 Mar 2008 00:03:26 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13059#msg-13059 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13059#msg-13059 -------------------------------------------------------
> CHCA participation is growing and growing in the
> rally class! 150 bucks, winnings, full recce, no
> restrictors, mufflers, cats, open spectating,
> photos and videos allowed, no great lakes B.S.
> Many hillclimbers have claimed they're done with
> rallying.

But can family and friends call you on the cell phone?
Got a link to the Cell Phone Use Regulations?

Don't call, Don't Tell!


]]> john vanlandingham Rally Chat Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:52:17 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13056#msg-13056 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13056#msg-13056 AaronJMcConnell Rally Chat Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:16:58 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13055#msg-13055 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13055#msg-13055 -------------------------------------------------------

> Well how did the ring and pinion feel?

Don't you check your PMs? :D I sent you one after Seed 9 telling you how great it feels. The only thing I need to do now is get more out of my engine or better yet build that 2.0 that's sitting in my garage to match the tranny's range.

> How about some results??
> >

Well, Lauchlin won both days but we placed well taking 3rd overall, 2nd in RA G2 and 1st in CRS2 on Friday and similar on Sat except with 4th overall...now granted that's with a low turnout but hey, still had to finish. :)

Anders, I also believe the CRS computed some statistics as well fairly recently. Let me see if I can dig it out.

btw DC the Lesser, thanks for volunteering!!!!!!!!]]> Eddie Fiorelli Rally Chat Mon, 17 Mar 2008 23:05:14 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13054#msg-13054 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13054#msg-13054 -------------------------------------------------------
> john vanlandingham Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Dude, this dwindling entry thing is THE MAIN
> THING ...
> > It is a seriously troubling long term trend
>
> Has anyone done some (recently, like up to date)
> statistics of the last 5-10 years or so?
>
> Anders
>
> Raleigh, NC
> Impreza H6 3.0

Ed Brennan has statistics for the SCCA series (through 2004) on his web site (http://www.rallyracingnews.com/).

An hour or two of work on his site would let you come up with similar statistics for the other series (RA, CARS, NASA / USRC)...


]]> Peter Steinberg Rally Chat Mon, 17 Mar 2008 22:41:14 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13024#msg-13024 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13024#msg-13024
I have a tendancy to not liking people talking shit behind my back, especially people distorting the truth to make it fit their agenda.

As far as RA is concerned, 2 years ago I said that I would not run another RA event, people thought I was alone or that I was gonna flip flop like many did or still do, they were wrong. My decision was triggered by stupid people's stupid actions, same people are still doing similar stupid stuff that made me come to that decision so they can do whatever they wanna do and I can do whatever the hell I please. My decision stands.]]> sagsert Rally Chat Mon, 17 Mar 2008 12:06:01 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13018#msg-13018 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13018#msg-13018 JohnLane Rally Chat Mon, 17 Mar 2008 10:28:54 -0500 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13013#msg-13013 https://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?1,12989,13013#msg-13013 Richard Miller Rally Chat Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:30:29 -0500