The Local Rally Club Thread

A bunch of people talked of starting another local rally club thread over on SS.com since the original was getting out of control. Hasn't happened there. So I'll start one here.

The rally community needs to stop the "Trickle Down Economics" of having the nationals get big an support the local events. Many other countries have local car/rally clubs that encourage beginners and create a foundation for the hobby/obsession.

Why doesn't it happen here? Population density of rally people is too low, especially when factoring in places that have Guinness (or PBR) on tap that are less than an hour walk from home.

There's also a disconnect between what many consider the grassroots, basic, stripped down essence of rally. Some people think US dirt autocross ("rallycross" is it. Some think TSD. Some think dumping some stale gas in the $20 shitbox Merkur and driving it like it's stolen on the back 40 dirt road until a wheel falls off or it overheats is it. Maybe it's a combination of all three and/or something else.

Who has what going on where? A few of us South Central NH people have our unofficial "Wilton Rally Club", but we had a whole two meetings and haven't all met in about three years.

So, go grab a beer and write something.

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Andrew Steere
Lyndeborough, NH
KB1PJY

I'm an hour out from the closest competitor, 3 from any concentration (G.R. and Marquette). Density here is way to thin for me to be invovled.

I'd love to have a club, but it just aint happening.

My idea of what a rally structure should look like when we have the density=

Basic club- TSD rally with rally cross sections. It would combine the timing aspect and speed aspect while allowing people to compete in a non prepped car.

State competition- 4-6 events, total of 10 or so co efficiants. Limit classes to 2wd open and 4wd open, with cost limiting structures.

Regional- 4-5 districs throughout the US, each one with 6 or so events. Same thing, only 2wd open and 4wd open with cost limiting rules in place.

National- 12 events for Open class. 6 for PGT, 6 for 2wd open. Follow the WRC example to a degree.

There's many levels to the sport now, maybe too many with the amount of people actually competing, but at the same time it isn't anywhere enough to cover what could balance out the competition. To get to the level I envision, we would need hundreds or even thousands of more competitors invovled.

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Winningest one-eyed co-driver in Rally America history.

so, I'm slightly to blame for the craziness over there, sorry.

you asked what others are doing, well, here's the org I'm involved in.

www.formularallyx.com

Sorry about the name, they came up with that before I joined. anyway, its simply a well organized rallyX group that puts on events or helps others puts on events. Points are tracked over several events over the year (which helps keep people interested, as everyone gets competitive).

Is this a 'first step' into stage rally? Well, I dunno anymore, since some of you feel very strongly that its not, I'm beginning to doubt...who am I to question the people that have been doing this for years?

All I know is that there's 4-5 guys that started in FRX rallyX'ing, and in less than a year, ended up buying old suby GC8's and are prepping them now. Or have bought straight up used rally cars and are on their way, like this guy:

http://specialstage.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30089

Odi started out with rallyX in FRX events this year, here's Odi's diverse automotive background:
http://www.dirtyimpreza.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1023


So that's where i'm basing my opinions on. If I'm wrong...I'm all ears.

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Jon Burke - KI6LSW
Blog: http://psgrallywrx.blogspot.com/

Jeez, Jon, talk about stepping on a land mine back there, huh?

I think there were several points being tossed around and I think they got lost in what appears to be the internet equivalent of a mexican standoff gone bad.

Regarding RallyX as a first step, I think peeps were taking issue with the notion that it was the obvious feeder for stage rally. That people should start at rallyx first and then go into stage rally. I think what the stage rally people want to see is those people doing stage rally, not rallyx. I think offense was taking to the idea that there was some artificial experience barrier that prohibits newbs from hitting the stages and that the stage rally folks should bring in the rallyxers.

The other point and this has been argued by many is the utility of rallyx for seat time. The general consensus is that it gives a very limited exposure to what you will see in a stage rally. That being said, I don't think its worthless. Its just perhaps not the most efficient use of your time if you are trying to improve your driving.

Then again, I'm not a gray beard myself so ymmv.





Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2008 02:57AM by Eddie Fiorelli.

I belong to a local rally club, which is in Peterborough,Ontario. I live about 9 hours from there. Canada requires that you join a local club if you run up there and want yer points. It's a lot cheaper than those stupid S&M neck yokes. I don't mind supporting a local club, at all. I read the newsletters and looks like they run some fun local events, which i never run. I feel guilty that I don't do more to support their efforts.

I think the Brits and the Canucks have the right idea with their local clubs. The New York Irish have the right idea, too. They love their rallying, help each other out and have built their own rally park.

Ted

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Ted Mendham
www.rensport.net

Rally = Fun

RallyX = also Fun

RallyX does not equal slower rally


I like both but they are as different as autoX is from Formula 1 Different skills and car prep are required to be fast and clean.

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Matt Smith

Racing in glorious black and red

My daily life is a Saab story (sold!)

Start your own club. Make up any rules you want. NASA and RA won't mind.

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RichardM

We were going to do that. But, we're too lazy and drunk.

We have 30 rally cars in Colorado. We should be able to have a whole series of viable, potentially profitable regional stage rallies, if we just had the time and willingness to do it.

We talked about starting a rally club once.

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Grant Hughes

You guys pretty much have your own club. You do the important club things like drinking together.

See http://www.rallyanarchy.com/phorum/read.php?3,2743

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RichardM



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2008 10:40AM by Richard Miller.

I don't think there needs to be a distinction in what a rally Club supports necessarily - the point is getting people interested in participating - they then spread the word to others, and so on, and so on...

TSD folks might get involved in RallyX or Stage Rally - as workers, organizers, crew or competitors.

RallyX folks the same.

Some Stage Rally guys might change their participation due to whatever reasons as organizers, builders, crew, coach - whatevah.

Having a mix is good - artificially building walls between rally activities is bad and smacks of elitist road racer shite.

Proximity and density is a huge problem due to the vast distances we have in the US. That is why, all forms of Rally should be welcome in any Rally Club - increase the chances of having folks to work with.

SCCA holding on to RallyX and TSD, but dropping stage rally has worked to create a bigger challenge in having cohesive Clubs.

To further compound all of this - we all have less and less 'free' time and need to focus that free time where it will be most useful to achieve our goals. If the club does not fit that criteria - it might get easily de-prioritized for other activities. Here is an area where the long term goals need to be evaluated over the short term - tough call.

Hey, if the Wilton club has another meeting - let me know

Eddie Fiorelli Wrote:
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> Regarding RallyX....
> ....

> general consensus is that it gives a very limited
> exposure to what you will see in a stage rally.


Yep. The only similarity is the cars.


> That being said, I don't think its worthless.


Right. The long tows, tons of dollars spent on travel
fuel and meals are similar to real rally. So it is
educational in that respect.


> just perhaps not the most efficient use of your
> time if you are trying to improve your driving.


There is plenty of seat-time in rally-cross.... All the time
you're sitting around waiting for your next 30 to 60
second drive.

Rally-cross sucks.... (in my opinion).

Performance TSD aka "brisk TSD" is much more fun, and much more
useful regarding "seat time" for full out stage rally.

Hell, for that matter a proper "brisk TSD" is much more
fun than a full out stage rally with all the BS, short
stages, and nonsense that stage rally has these days.

What doesn't 'suck' in your opinion Jens? Have you ever even competed in a rallycross? For that matter have you ever done a TSD? Lastly, when's the last stage rally you competed in? I'm dying to know what all this 'nonsense' is you speak of.

Do you wake up every morning planning on how you'll shit on others' posts?
Maybe one day you'll make a constructive post.

gilbrock Wrote:
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> What doesn't 'suck' in your opinion Jens?

You don't suck.



> Have you ever even competed in a rallycross?


No.


> For that matter have you ever done a TSD?


No.


> Lastly, when's the last stage rally you competed in?


Never.



> I'm dying to know what all this 'nonsense' is you speak of.


Dying? Really?



> Do you wake up every morning planning on how
> you'll shit on others' posts?


I live for it.



> Maybe one day you'll make a constructive post.


Maybe.... take a deep breath and hold it.


> L2 Over Your Mom


What the heck is "L2 Over Your Mom"?






Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/04/2008 11:26AM by Jens.

well at least I don't suck. I guess we can be friends now.

Jens is a liar. He has too competed in a TSD.

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RichardM