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Post by aureus1 on Apr 28, 2010 19:26:06 GMT -5
Hey everyone, I've been cruisin' around the site and the forums for a few days and I thought I would take the time to stop by and introduce myself.
My name is Joe, and I live in MA. I heard about the New England Rally from a friend and have been doing some research here and there. I emailed Sean this morning with some technical questions I had and he got right back to me ( thanks again Sean!) but I wanted to get some feedback from everyone else on there experience.
I was curious as to what the 'mentality' of the rally was. In other words is it more of a group cruise? Or is there that every-man-for-himself feeling. After watching a few of the NER videos on Youtube it seemed to me that everyone stayed grouped together, but that may have been because of the checkpoints.
I'm also wondering about the checkpoints and what happens there. Is it basically a stop and go situation where you check-in, get your next destination and take off, regardless of where everyone else is. Or is everyone held until the whole group gathers then everyone leaves as a group?
And one last question (sorry if I'm rambling) but how much night driving is there? Does the rally have scheduled stops at night or is it all out, don't stop until you get to the last checkpoint type of style?
I know these questions may be trivial to some but it would greatly effect how I prep my vehicle and how my co-driver and I prep ourselves for the trip. Either way this is really cool thing you guys do and I hope I can join you all in August.
Thanks in advance everyone!
- Joe
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Post by skimobile on Apr 28, 2010 20:15:47 GMT -5
I was curious as to what the 'mentality' of the rally was. In other words is it more of a group cruise? Or is there that every-man-for-himself feeling. After watching a few of the NER videos on Youtube it seemed to me that everyone stayed grouped together, but that may have been because of the checkpoints. It is not a group run where everyone has to stay together..That said, many of the cars tend to travel in smaller "packs", especially during the night drives (which may not be so much an issue this year with 2 hotel stays). Its good to travel with a few cars in case someone has a mechanical issue, flat, broken rim, etc (it happens)... Some will stick with the same group from beginning to end, others jump from group to group.I'm also wondering about the checkpoints and what happens there. Is it basically a stop and go situation where you check-in, get your next destination and take off, regardless of where everyone else is. Or is everyone held until the whole group gathers then everyone leaves as a group? The checkpoints are 1st in = last out. It used to be grab and go but then the cars got so spaced out that people were getting to checkpoints before the check point workers were even there or set up. Now, it seems that all are held @ a given checkpont until remaining cars arrive and then info on the next checkpoint is handed out in reverse order of arrival and cars are allowed to depart.And one last question (sorry if I'm rambling) but how much night driving is there? Does the rally have scheduled stops at night or is it all out, don't stop until you get to the last checkpoint type of style? In past runs it was an all nighter with a coffee break checkpoint or, like last year an early morning (1:00AM) karting, session and then a run for the sun drive. This year there are two hotel stays, which will change this a little. The NIGHT runs were a blast, empty roads, minimal if any police presence and 30 cars ( and a few bikes) winding down some serious back country roads. Heck last year Noah and Dimitry hooked up the instant daylight, I think I just burned my retinas, rally light pods on the Rally EVO. It was a big help up in Maine Moose country. Sean trys to mix it up every year so the night runs this year are a mystery but definately one of the most fun aspects.I know these questions may be trivial to some but it would greatly effect how I prep my vehicle and how my co-driver and I prep ourselves for the trip. Either way this is really cool thing you guys do and I hope I can join you all in August. There are no trivial questions. You have a question just post and pretty much anyone on here can give you a reasonable response..., Sean L.
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Post by Sean on Apr 28, 2010 20:16:13 GMT -5
For the most part people seem to find their own groups that have the same driving style. Some people cruise and others are the lone wolf types. I find you have more fun in a group, but that's my opinion.
We will have 2 hotels this year so there will not be any real night driving. You will be driving from 10am to about 10pm Friday night with checkpoints in between. Then again from early Saturday to about 7pm and we will have dinner and another hotel stay. Then from early to around 12 pm Sunday. We sould be wrapping things up around 3pm Sunday.
At the checkpoints you will check in, draw cards, break for a little while (unless it's a grab and go checkpoint) then hit the road. Everyone leaves together.
A grab and go checkpoint is just that. Arrive, check in, draw your card and go!
Hope this clears up some confusion.
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Post by skimobile on Apr 28, 2010 20:29:29 GMT -5
Some year you ought to throw in some team challenges, Bullrun style : P Car control on a rain soaked test track, who can run a slalom course in reverse, etc.
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Post by Sean on Apr 28, 2010 20:40:26 GMT -5
I thought about that Sean, but renting a decent track costs $$$. I won't even get into prices, but I will say that I can put on the ENTIRE rally for less than track rental is for a decent place.
I am however working on getting permission to use an abandoned air strip for 2011 so we can do something like that, but it's proving to be a challenge.
I do have a private stip in mind, but I need to take a ride to talk to the owner this summer some time.
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Post by aureus1 on Apr 28, 2010 21:14:31 GMT -5
Thanks for the responses everyone. This rally sounds like an absolute blast! The only problem I have now is getting one of my friends to commit as a co-driver.
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Post by r32dub88 on Apr 29, 2010 1:50:22 GMT -5
Hi Joe. ;D
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Post by skimobile on Apr 29, 2010 20:36:20 GMT -5
I thought about that Sean, but renting a decent track costs $$$. I won't even get into prices, but I will say that I can put on the ENTIRE rally for less than track rental is for a decent place. I am however working on getting permission to use an abandoned air strip for 2011 so we can do something like that, but it's proving to be a challenge. I do have a private stip in mind, but I need to take a ride to talk to the owner this summer some time. SPEAKING OF WHICH....... There is a driving day at Quonset Air Base on on these days if anyone is interested. 25apr 23may 18july 22aug 19sep 17oct The day is basically set up similar to an Auto-X. Cones on an old runway with a high speed slalom and a few good corners, usually a skidpad as well. The course is a mile in duration and typically takes about 1:30- 1:35 to run. Instructors are present to help with your driving. You do not need to work the course! There is a max of 20 cars, and you get as many runs as allowed in the 5 hour period (usually 20-25 runs). The required information: -Cost for the day is 125.00 paid at the door - Please meet at 210 Airport Street, North Kingstown, RIĆ½ at 11:30am. -Your car must be safe and properly maintained (same rules as any driving school or event). -Pack snacks and liquids, as the airport is still in use and you will not be able to exit until 5PM unless there is an emergency. -Have fun and learn how to better control your vehicle in a safe environment! It is located at the Quonset Air Base and run by Advanced Driving and Security (1adsi.com) (401) 294-1600forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1973661
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Post by r32dub88 on Apr 29, 2010 22:10:50 GMT -5
oh im down for that! ^^^
I've been looking for some more local auto-x events.
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