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Post by r32dub88 on Apr 20, 2010 13:39:54 GMT -5
Hello everyone.
My name is Joel. My friend and i have been thinking of entering this rally. But i just have a few questions.
I have been wanting to do something similar to Gumball 3000 for years now but lack a spare $80,000+ for the entry fees. My question is (aside from half the distance of the gumball) how similar is this rally to that?
Also, I like the poker hand idea a lot but just so that i understand this aspect fully. Someone could come in last place every checkpoint and still get a better poker hand. This means that no matter how much preparation and planning i do, there is a 1 in (# of participants) chance that my car will win. Please correct me if i am wrong but this is how i interpreted the rules.
P.S. I understand this is not a race but i think that spending $800 on something where the outcome is entirely out of my hands is (no offense) kind of pointless.
Thanks, -Joel
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Post by skimobile on Apr 20, 2010 19:48:01 GMT -5
The poker hand is just part of it and yes it is based on the best 5 card poker hand you can come up with from the 7 cards drawn at the check points (1 card per check point). The poker hand idea also helps to discourage poeple from driving like a bunch of A#Shats just to come in 1st, as there' no prize for 1st into the checkpoints. There's also usually a good bunch of prizes donated by vendors, that are awarded by random ticket draws. I'm not an organizer but have participated for several years. The $800 is per team ($400 per person). Cost usually includes some sort of party, 2 overnight stays (this year), entry into certain "events" to be determined, info packets/maps, stickers for the cars, as well as subsidize checkoint workers, etc.. You'll also drive on roads you'd probably never find on your own. $800 may seem steep to you but for this type of event it's definately one of the most reasonable I've ever found. We had a team from Canada last year that had previously completed in the AKA Rally (similar to Gumball). THey said that they had a much better time on the NewEngland Rally as there was a good group to travel with and a lot of awesome backroads to drive on. They said the AKA Rally was mostly interstate driving which got pretty old after a while.
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Post by Sean on Apr 20, 2010 19:54:39 GMT -5
Hi there Joel, welcome aboard.
My question is (aside from half the distance of the gumball) how similar is this rally to that?
Not at all like the Gumball. We don't encourage crazy driving.
I like the poker hand idea a lot but just so that i understand this aspect fully. Someone could come in last place every checkpoint and still get a better poker hand.
Correct.
This means that no matter how much preparation and planning i do, there is a 1 in (# of participants) chance that my car will win. Please correct me if i am wrong but this is how i interpreted the rules.
Correct.
P.S. I understand this is not a race but i think that spending $800 on something where the outcome is entirely out of my hands is (no offense) kind of pointless.
It's not about winning anything. It's about getting out and having fun with like minded people while seeing New England, staying at nice hotels and eating good food.
The poker hand is basically in there for the fun of it and to give people a chance at a free entry.
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Post by ScrapinSTi on Apr 21, 2010 6:56:17 GMT -5
Both seans forgot to add "And to drink heavily at the hotel at the end of the rally, doing all kinds of fun stuff that shouldn't be done"... I have done the rally 3 years in a row now... And its worth every penny... I won't lie... When we entered the first year, we showed up and saw a few SUV's, a minivan, basically a bunch of cars we never would have expected, and said WTF kind of rally is this... But within the first hour, we were having a BLAST and had already made the decision that we would be back the following year. And yes... you will drive on roads that you never knew existed, & make some great friends. This rally is how I met & joined up with Dmitry, the owner/driver of our (Stage) rally car...
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Post by r32dub88 on Apr 21, 2010 17:55:54 GMT -5
thanks for the responses guys.
I did not know exactly what i was getting for my $400 ($800 team). I assumed it was just the hotels and breakfast but it seems like there is a lot more things going on which makes it the entry fee well worth it.
Sorry if i come off as someone who wants to "win". I am a competitive person by nature and have watched many movies and read a few books about cross country rally's. For anyone who hasn't read "The Driver" by Alexander Roy or watched "C'etait Un Rendezvous" i would highly recommend them.
I look forward to meeting you guys and will more than likely be signing up in the near future.
-Joel
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Post by Sean on Apr 21, 2010 19:10:44 GMT -5
You should join. I'm sure once you are on the run and see what it's all about the "win" mentality will go away fast. You'll get out on the roads with a bunch of cool people and see some really nice places that you would most likely never see unless someone like me sends you there lol
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Post by ScrapinSTi on Apr 22, 2010 9:33:13 GMT -5
Where are you from? Getting together with people from this rally and sharing experiences will make you want to sign up even more..
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Post by dez16 on Apr 22, 2010 10:27:34 GMT -5
Where are you from? Getting together with people from this rally and sharing experiences will make you want to sign up even more.. +1 I was unsure about signing up last year but did the spring run(laconia, NH to Mohegan Sun) with Dale and a few other people and had a blast. I didnt want to get stuck with a$$ hats on a 3 day cruise.
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Post by r32dub88 on Apr 22, 2010 12:17:05 GMT -5
I am from southern NH. But i am very familiar with NE roads, my job requires me to drive all over New England. When is your next meet / cruise?
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Post by ScrapinSTi on Apr 22, 2010 12:18:14 GMT -5
Where abouts in NH? I'm in Dover quite a bit for work if you ever wanna get together for a beer and i'll tell you all about the rally..
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Post by Sean on Apr 22, 2010 13:45:27 GMT -5
Ya where in NH? I'm in Manchester.
May 1st we are going to do a cruise from Danvers Ma heading north to do the kancamagus, bear notch, west side road, hurricane mtn road loop.
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Post by r32dub88 on Apr 22, 2010 15:25:57 GMT -5
im at a small town called Newton. right next to Kingston and Plaistow on 125. But i go to SNHU (Southern New Hampshire University) week days. So i am also right on the Manchester/Hookset line. I did that loop with the NE Motorsports guys last spring only we left from the Hookset state liquor store. Its def a fun ride but that was back when i had stock suspension. Now my set up is for more left and rights not so much up and downs (Hurricane mtn). I'm sure it'll be fine thou. ScrapinSTI: Absolutely lets grab a beer. I'm free Tuesday nights and weekends.
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Post by ScrapinSTi on Apr 23, 2010 8:46:50 GMT -5
i'll let you know next time im in dover.. i actually live in CT...
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Post by Team Avanti on Apr 24, 2010 15:10:50 GMT -5
Welcome and i hope you join us. this will be my 3rd yr in a row doing this rally and i have yet to meet someone on this rally that gave anyone issues, all a great group of people and drivers, Dont worry about you being competitive, there are a few of us like that every year, and we dont hind it ether, but this yr will be i think the best yr yet. se you out there
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