Sat, Jan 10, 2015

Minnesota Valley Winter Rally

Jordan, MN Ridges at Sand Creek

About this event

The Minnesota Valley Winter Rally is a 120 mile TSD day/night road rally traversing the high quality gravel roads of the Minnesota River Valley.  The rally will start in Jordan, MN and end in Belle Plaine, MN. The roads are fun and the simple novice friendly instructions make it an event both experts and novices can enjoy.

The rally is part of the ASCC Winter Rally series, LOL regional Championship and the SCCA championship series. 

Rally starts at Ridges at Sand Creek Golf course. http://goo.gl/maps/gHA1z

Rally 101 Class - 2PM (free)

Sign-in Starts 3PM

First Car Out 5PM

Finish between 9PM

SCCA Members $30 per car

Non-Members $35 per car

About

This rally is a part of the SCCA National Championship Series as well as the ASCC Winter Rally Series.  External night lighting will not be needed, interior lights will be very useful.  A GPS is not essential but will be helpful. Your GPS will allow you to see intersections before you get there as well as turns. In addition we will be giving out pickup point information using latitude and longitude should you go astray or get late and want to get back in the rally. Winter conditions can be anywhere from no snow to a couple of feet but usually early February has snow. Temperature should be in the -10 to 20 degree range. We advise you bring a blanket in case you have car trouble. We recommend good winter tires but it’s not a requirement.

Classes 

Expert, Journeyman, New to Sport

Committee

Chairman    Clarence Westberg
Rallymaster    Ben Wedge
Safety    Kate Westberg
Sweep    unknown

Scoring    TCRC

Headquarters

Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course. PW is playgolf. 

Rules

SCCA Road Rally Regulations, current edition (nothing you need to know). Pretty much everything in these regulations is a exception to the RRRs.

Vehicle Inspection

You are responsible for insuring the following are in order:

  • Headlights (high and low beams) and parking lights
  • Taillights and stoplights
  • Horn, windshield wipers and directional signals
  • Rear-view mirror
  • Foot brakes and parking brake
  • Tires (inspect for condition of sidewalls as well as tread)
  • Seat belts, securely installed for the driver and navigator
  • Safety triangle (required)
  • First Aid Kit (optional)
  • Tow Rope (required)
  • Fire Extinguisher (optional)
  • Shovel (suggested if there is snow)

If you have Driving lights. they must be wired such that they dim when you dip your high beams.

Official time

Official time for this rally will be NIST radio station WWV. A clock set to WWV will be available at registration if you don’t have access to WWV. Make sure that your watch is set correctly. The start time for each section is specified on your scorecard.

Roads

Both paved and unpaved with the emphasis on unpaved. Dead end roads and obvious driveways should not be considered unless you are directed to use them. Road names such as 331st can be referenced as 331, 331st, etc. As long as the number is correct, use it.

Route Instructions

The route instructions are very easy to follow Tulips. Instructions are to be completed in numerical order. Each instruction will contain official mileage, interval mileage, tulip, textual instruction. You will get your routes when you register, if you have any questions ask before or during the drivers meeting. The course is divided into sections. Each Section begins with an official mileage of 0.00 and is measured continuously until the end of the section. 

An instruction may use the term “quiet” in built up areas where you need to go slow so you don’t upset the locals. If it’s night, dip your high beams. If a speed limit is present, stay under it. We suggest you go 25 MPH. Adequate time will be given to make up lost time after the quiet area. 

All possible control locations will be noted in the route instructions by a checkpoint graphic. If a timing controls identified in the route instructions is not manned, just keep driving.

Pickup Points

The breaks are inHenderson MN. GPS 44.5283, 093.9069. Should you get lost or delayed head there to resume.

Following the Course

The rally starts at the Headquarters parking lot northern exit. The course at each intersection is determined by applying the following priority list in the order shown.

  1. Proceed as directed by the numbered instruction.
  2. Proceed ahead on the road you are on. If there is any question, leave on the road most directly ahead without a stop or yield sign.

Measurement & Calculation

The course was measured using a 2001 SAAB 9-3 Viggen using a pulse driven input off of a driven wheel. Mileage was taken at the stop/yield sign if present otherwise the near edge or apex was used. A short practice rally has been included. There is no odometer check during the rally, if you need to check your odometer, use the practice rally to do so, it’s about 7.9 miles long.

Timing Controls (TC)

Timing controls are identified by standard SCCA orange checkpoint sign. An example will be shown at registration. When you enter a timing control, do not stop at the sign, pull up to the worker car located a short distance down the road. The worker will give you a sticker with your time in. Controls will close 10 minutes after the last car due.

Due Time

A competitors' due time is simply the time that they are due at the next time control. Due time is the time in at the previous control or restart plus the interval time on your scorecard. So if you arrive at TC 1 six seconds late your due time for TC 2 your in time for TC 1 plus the interval time (22 minutes). 

Penalties

Penalties are based on your due time. You will be penalized 1 point per second. Max points you can receive for any leg is 300 points. Penalty for stopping or creeping within sight of a timing control is 10 points in addition to timing penalty. Controls can measure the time you take to reach the control after you first come in sight. If you take more than twice that time, you are creeping. Pro Tip: the speed entering controls is 36 MPH or 10 seconds to go 0.10 miles. It takes 20 seconds at half that speed.

Delays

It’s possible that you could find yourself behind schedule through no fault of your own such as a vehicle blocking the road or if you stop to aid a fellow contestant. In such cases turn in a delay in tenth minutes increments up to 10 minutes. If you have a delay (often referred to as a TA), you must turn it in to the workers before you get your sticker.

Emergency Speed

Should extreme ice or snow conditions exist we will add one minute to the interval time. You will be notified of the start of emergency speeds and they continue until you are notified they are done.

Miscellaneous

Organizer’s Phone number (952) 381-2759. If you get lost or drop out, call or text. If we have a sweep car, a phone number will be provided for them as well. 

The roads are very narrow in places, do not run too far ahead with the expectation of finding a place to park at your standoff.  Stay on your minute. If you fall back, let the person behind you pass. If you run early, respect the car on their proper minute.

Scorecard

You will be provided with a scorecard at registration. Use this scorecard to record your time in and calculate your due time.

 

Event requirements

You are responsible for insuring the following are in order:
Headlights (high and low beams) and parking lights
Taillights and brake lights
Horn, windshield wipers and directional signals
Rear-view mirror
Foot brakes and parking brake
Tires (inspected for condition of sidewalls as well as tread)
Seat belts, securely installed for the driver and navigator
Safety triangle (required)
First Aid Kit (optional)
Tow Rope (required)
Fire Extinquisher (optional)
Shovel (optional)

The event website is here. From there you can get the latest info and General Instructions.

Entries (8)

SP
Scott Parrott
GM
GREG MESSLER
GJ
Gabriel Johnston
GS
Gary Starr
DH
Derek Hoffman
FR
Fred Rosevear
JH
John Hicks

Jordan, MN Ridges at Sand Creek

Jordan, MN
Watch a video tour/lap
Watch a video tour/lap

Organizer

Road Rally organized by

SCCA - Land O' Lakes Region - Road Rally

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Event over!