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Vermont Winter Challenge Rally, Feb. 16, 2013

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 5:34 pm
by Dave_G
Yesterday Diane and I ran the Covered Bridge Rally and had a great time running 150 miles around the back dirt roads of Orange and Windsor Counties. Since Neil has gone off to college, we've recruited Diane as navigator, and not only is she really good at it, she's having a lot of fun at the same time. 8) (We know our relationship is solid when we can spend all day in the car following complicated directions and still come out smiling at the other end. :D )

Anyway, John Buffum was there competing too, and we talked about this winter's Vermont Winter Challenge Rally. It is on, and scheduled for February 16, 2013. Mark your calendars now! This is one that you really don't want to miss. In a bit of an experiment, John is planning to change things a little this winter. Instead of the traditional all-night run, this year's rally is planned for Saturday, 2:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Naturally the daylight hours will necessitate somewhat slower speeds than past years' rallies, but the late-night section is planned to be as brisk as always. His hope is to attract more people who don't want to run all night. Personally I like the all-night format, but anything that might attract more competitors is worth a try in my book. More details can be found at the rally's web site, whenever John gets around to updating it (which hasn't happened yet): http://www.winterchallengerally.com.

Hope to see some more Vermonters there! Between the Winter Challenge Rally and the Covered Bridge Rally, we have two great events in our state, and it would be great to see more local gearheads involved!

Re: Vermont Winter Challenge Rally, Feb. 16, 2013

Posted: Thu Nov 08, 2012 2:48 pm
by EVT_Dan
Really going to miss it this year :(
Utah doesn't have anything like this, which is a shame given the number of mountain passes, gravel roads and general awesome driving loops around the mountains.

Re: Vermont Winter Challenge Rally, Feb. 16, 2013

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:14 am
by Mike Kamm
Thanks for the heads up and for the details on this winter's event Dave! :)

Re: Vermont Winter Challenge Rally, Feb. 16, 2013

Posted: Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:20 am
by Mike Kamm
The new format sounds very interesting Dave. I've always wondered what those dark snowy roads looked like in the day. Guess I will find out this year!

Re: Vermont Winter Challenge Rally, Feb. 16, 2013

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 5:02 pm
by Dave_G
Here's the word from John via the rally's web site (http://www.winterchallengerally.com/news):
We are trying a new schedule this year; we will start from Barre at 2 pm with the first section - a TSD section of about 80 miles - lasting until dusk. Then a map section with the route marked on a county map. Then the final section of tulips and brisk speeds ending back in Barre about 1 am. Scores will be finished an hour or so after the last car; refreshments will be served (BYO).
Since the first section is in daylight, it will necessarily be a bit slower; also attention has been taken to keep competitors on the correct route, yet still make a challenging excersise - not an attempt to compare mileages and times down to the nearest 5 feet! The idea of an earlier start was to have the event finish in time to have some socializing and to give those not wanting to stay up rallying all night, a chance to compete. We'll see how it works.

Re: Vermont Winter Challenge Rally, Feb. 16, 2013

Posted: Wed Dec 12, 2012 9:24 pm
by Mike Kamm
Thanks Dave. When I read the part about three sections, it reminded me of a few years ago when this was two overlapping events and you could choose to run either sections 1 and 2, or just sections 2 and 3. I always skipped section 1 and just went for the faster [and more fun] two sections.

Mike

Re: Vermont Winter Challenge Rally, Feb. 16, 2013

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2013 10:35 am
by Dave_G
More interesting comments from John via the rally's web site (http://www.winterchallengerally.com/news):
I have been over the course 3 times and the mileages are done. I have checked the mileages twice on 2 sections and the biggest varience was 0.02 miles (two consecutive instructions). Ted Goddard will check part of it this week and Alex Korovkine will check the rest next week.

It's interesting that you can find 'challenges' without even looking hard. As a rallyist, thinking ahead and clearly is always very important. You think you know everything that you need to about how to follow the course, but then you miss simple things - like spelling or roads that don't 'exist'. But that's what makes rallying interesting...challenging...and fun! If it were always easy and scores were always low, then the challenge of following the route would be simple and the results would only depend on having insanely accurate mileages.

We have SNOW ! I'm sure some will go away but probably more will come. It is so interesting for me to drive over the back roads, following a route, and to see the countryside that many people never see. Add to that the challenge of a rally and I wonder why more people aren't involved. All I can say is that we are the lucky ones. Tell your friends!
Go! Register! Have fun!

Re: Vermont Winter Challenge Rally, Feb. 16, 2013

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2013 8:20 pm
by vermont22gt
I'll be there again this year. Can't wait. Hopefully we get some snow before the event, or just cold cold cold and no thaw or rain. Traction on the backroads right now is great.

Re: Vermont Winter Challenge Rally, Feb. 16, 2013

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2013 11:53 am
by Dave_G
Cool! :bigthumb: Have you registered yet? As of yesterday, there are 14 entries. There will certainly be more by the 16th, but it would be nice if they get at least 20 teams.

I've driven this event with snow and without snow. Even without snow it's still fun, but with snow it's about the greatest thing ever. Pray for snow! [-o<

The web site (http://www.winterchallengerally.com/) has been updated to include example instructions and helpful hints in the "Routebook" section. It's worth reading through.

See you there! :rally:

Re: Vermont Winter Challenge Rally, Feb. 16, 2013

Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2013 8:21 pm
by Alex_76
Hey Guys! I'm from Russia! And I would like to visit this event. Can anybody tell me where and what time it will be? Thank you...