Oppo Rally 2018: Preliminary Info, Points, Etc

"Dusty Ventures" (dustyventures) 04/10/2018 at 13:02 • Filed to: Oppo Rally 2018, Oppo Rally

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We have a date, we have a location (more or less), we have a format. Time to officially get things going.

Welcome to the 2018 Oppositelock “Half-Massed” road rally! For those of you who were around last year, you may remember how this goes. For those who weren’t, you’re in for some fun! This year’s Oppo Rally will be held on July 28th, going from Worcester, MA to Pittsfield, MA . Like last year this will be a treasure hunt, though there will be a few activity challenges thrown in as well. Unsurprisingly activity challenges will be worth more than standard checkpoints, including a very difficult but very lucrative challenge near a body of water.

Last year’s rally was free. Sadly this year will be slightly different in that regard. Competitors will be required to buy their 6" sticker, because I can’t afford to drop $150+ on stickers again (Uncle Dusty’s trying to save up for a new car here). The 6" stickers will be $5 each, everyone is required to get one and has the option of buying more, as well as the option to buy the larger 17" wide sticker for $10. If anyone can’t attend Oppo Rally but wants to order an Oppo Rally sticker anyway they can do so and I’ll mail it to them. Speaking of mailing things, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Since I’ll need to do a bulk order of stickers for the rally anyway, I’ll be including a rare order of custom Oppo stickers as well. Oppo sticker orders will open somewhere around mid-late May.

Registration is officially open as of now. I’ll start sending updates to registered entrants 60-90 days out. I’ll also be posting updates here in Oppo, so be sure to check the Oppo Rally tag from time to time. To register send me an email at howdeedoodat@gmail.com, including your name, Kinja username, vehicle you’ll be using if known (you can change this later), and number of people on your team if known (you can change this later).

ABOUT THE RALLY:

The Oppo Half-Massed Road Rally will be a full day, 200+ mile event across (half of) Massachusetts, starting in Worcester, MA and ending in Pittsfield, MA (or thereabouts). Along the route competitors will log checkpoints to score points.Much like last year’s event, this will be a treasure hunt (with a few surprises and twists along the way). Unlike last year, this year competitors will be logging the checkpoints on Instagram. What does that look like? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Along with some fun roads (Massachusetts has some fantastic two lane roads) and some cool auto-centric stops the rally also has some breathtaking scenery and a number of interesting landmarks (natural, historical, abandoned, allegedly haunted, and others), which should make this a fun trip for any less automotive-oriented friends/significant other you want to bring along as well (you know, if you need to sell them on being your co-driver). Having a co-driver isn’t necessary, but it will make things easier, particularly in the navigation department.

This is not a speed-based event. Being first to the finish line not only won’t make you the winner, but it will almost certainly mean you’ll have one of the lowest scores. Cars/teams can have a minimum of one person and a maximum of however many working seatbelts the car has. Any vehicle is eligible so long as it’s registered and insured. Bikes, trikes, sidecars, supercars, replicars, amphicars, limousines, buses, ice cream trucks, half tracks, and wienermobiles are welcome (and encouraged). Buses are exempt from the seatbelt mandate (why don’t buses have seat belts anyways?).

In addition to scoring points via the various checkpoints along the way, teams will be given points at the start of the event based on how interesting/Jalop their car is, costumes/themes, and other factors.

POINTS:

In addition to scoring points by hitting checkpoints and completing challenges, competitors will be awarded points at the start based on the following (note: start line points will be capped at 200):

Vehicle Performance:

+5 for <5 seconds 0-60

+5 for >12.5 seconds 0-60

+10 for <4 seconds 0-60

+10 for >17.5 seconds 0-60

+15 if it can’t do 60

Vehicle Heritage:

+5 for Swedish

+5 for Aussie

+10 for Italian

+20 for Indian

+50 for Indian Motorcycle

+15 for French

+15 for British (half points for modern Mini, because Deutschland. Deal with it, Squirrel Boy)

+50 for homebuilt/kit car

+40 for east of the Iron Curtain (look it up, kids)

+5 for 1980s

+10 for 1970s

+20 for 1960s

+30 for 1950s

+50 for pre-1950

Engine and Transmission:

+5 for odd number of cylinders

+3 for V8, and we will witness you

+5 for more than 8 cylinders

+20 for more than 12 cylinders

+2 for carburetor

+2 for each turbo

+2 for supercharger

+10 for twincharged (turbo and supercharger)

+5 for air-cooled (double if not VW or Porsche)

+5 for an engine too big for Rally America ( !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! )

+5 for flat engine society

+10 for rotary

+100 for radial

+75 for turbine

+15 for electric (you’re very brave)

+50 for using a fuel not available at filling stations (no Tesla superchargers either)

+20-50 for any ill advised mod from Roadkill (leaf blowers, boost caboose, pickup with jet boat engine in the bed, towing a Prius with a Gremlin, etc)

+200 if you bring an actual car from Roadkill

+5 for rear-mid mounted

+10 for rear mounted

+15 each for multiple engines (electric motors don’t count)

+5 for manual (save the manuals!)

+10 for manual on the tree

+3 for column shift auto

+5 for sequential (because racecar)

-5 for flappy paddle CVT (because Stef says you need to be punished)

Body/chassis:

+2 for 2 doors

+5 for odd number of doors (hatch doesn’t count)

+5 for no doors (as in removed, Jeep-style. Extra 5 points if it’s not a Jeep)

+20 for no doors (as in have to go in through the window/roof, Dukes of Hazzard-style)

+10 for suicide doors

+5 for shooting brake

+3 for wagon (save the wagons!)

+15 for non-factory convertible

+5 if it can’t fit in a standard parking space

+5 if it would have a bad time at the 11foot8 bridge

+2 for every seat over 6

+5 for two seats

+10 for single seat

+1 5 for two wheels

+3 0 for three wheels

+50 for one wheel

+10 for roll bar (non-factory)

+5 0 for full roll cage

+0-50 for other (at discretion of judge)

Deductions & Additions

-100 for each traffic violation ticket (don’t be a dick on the road)

-50 for each parking ticket (don’t park like a dick either)

+0-50 for bribes (did I say that out loud?)

+50 for best Instagram video of the day

+0-50 for creative roadside repairs (done on your car or another competitor’s car. Or a non-competitor’s car.)

+0-50 for junkyard parts gained and installed en route

+0-50 for ridiculous themes &/or outfits

+5 for every 100 miles traveled to attend (done in the competing car, caps at 50 points)

+1 for every 100 miles traveled to attend (not done in the competing car)

+50 if you bought the car off craigslist less than a week before the rally

+100 if you bought the car off craigslist less than 48 hours before the rally

+0 for showing up in a press loaner, and may God have mercy on your soul

For those who haven’t heard about Oppo rally and want to know what the heck I’m talking about, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! To see how last year’s Oppo Rally went !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

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Chuckles > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 13:10

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Thanks for putting this together. Last year’s rally was a blast.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 13:15

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My car gets 3 points.

Dusty Ventures > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 04/10/2018 at 13:21

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Should’ve had a BRZ

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 13:27

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Nah, should have gotten an E90 M3...

unclevanos (Ovaltine Jenkins) > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 13:40

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+5 for no doors (as in removed, Jeep-style. Extra 5 points if it’s not a Jeep)

+5 for roll bar (non-factory)

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 13:42

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22.5 for driving my MINI down from Burlington vs 8 for going home and taking dad’s BRZ instead. I seem to recall the BRZ doing better in the points department last time.

Dusty Ventures > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire 04/10/2018 at 13:49

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Take your stupid star

Now you get 5 points. Don’t say I never did anything for you

Dusty Ventures > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 04/10/2018 at 13:50

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You can check the old points structure, but I didn’t change much

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 13:53

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TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 14:06

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I’m seeing the difference, MINIs are worth 2.5 more this year than last. Looks like the money car for me would be bugging my friend Paul to get his Exocet registered and then road tripping it from VT to MA. 0-60 <5, kit car, manual, window entry, two seats, 200+ miles to the event. That adventure would net 93 points. Does an Exocet count as a full roll cage?

Dusty Ventures > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 04/10/2018 at 14:24

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Is it race legal in a series that requires a cage?

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 14:27

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I don’t know if there is even a race series that has a class for Exocets.

Justin Hughes > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 14:36

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We must redeem ourselves from last year...

...by using a vehicle with 180,000 more miles on it than last year’s.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 14:41

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Still mad that my gearhead trifecta (manual, rwd, I6) car is only worth 3 points.

bhtooefr > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 04/10/2018 at 14:43

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You could just take the doors off, that gets you 10 more points (assuming it’s not a Jeep, because manual RWD I6 Jeep is a thing that exists).

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 04/10/2018 at 15:21

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They are D-Mod in SCCA Autocross

thejustache > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 16:47

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Hmmm... so I could take the XT and have more fun plus get a couple points for wagon+turbo etc, but lose points with my wife for a day of droning exhaust...

Or we could take our rusty Accent hatch with a screaming power steering belt and no working windows or AC and suffer and possibly die but get +2 for 2 doors.

Or take the Yaris I still want to hopefully buy before then and be slow and boring but get good gas mileage.

Or I could take my 1978 KZ750 motorcycle which would certainly be the most Jalop and have the least chances of making it the whole day without needing a repair, but I’d have to go solo with no navigation and would probably be deaf and unable to walk at the end of it.

The most fun option would be craigslisting a vehicle not on this list, but I’m not sure if that can be swung unless it’s basically free...

Dusty Ventures > thejustache 04/10/2018 at 18:59

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Take the XT. You should be stopping often enough that there won’t be time for the exhaust to drive her too insane. I try to make it so driving 30 minutes without a checkpoint is rare and more than an hour basically impossible.

MM54 > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 19:28

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All right! There is a chance I can make it. I will know closer to July - is there a deadline for registration?

Liam Farrell > Dusty Ventures 04/10/2018 at 21:53

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I don’t think I can make it, but the Land Rover does quite well in the points department. 55 or 58 depending on if you consider it a wagon.

Edit- Also there should be points for multi country of origin cars or Spanish cars.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Dusty Ventures 04/11/2018 at 12:00

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Are we still using the mascot system?

Dusty Ventures > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 04/11/2018 at 14:03

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Yes

Poor_Sh > Dusty Ventures 04/11/2018 at 18:24

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Hmm 13 points for current car, 18 points for planned future car... Easy choice.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Dusty Ventures 04/12/2018 at 14:36

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Roads you NEED to drive if you’re going to be here from out of state:

8A (30 miles)

The fun section of route 2 (10 miles)

116 if you have the time (20 miles)

River Road (15 miles, I would have to show you...)

And re that last point: It would be a ton of fun to do “run groups” for those of us who are traveling alone or just enjoy that convoy vibe. My favorite memories from last year were meeting Poncho and Chuckles etc. at random places and driving for a bit. I would be more than happy to lead a group of fellow idiots on a cruise through the northwest corner of MA; I know those roads by heart and you can string together 3-4 hours of banzai driving on roads with almost no traffic or police presence. You NEED good brakes though. Even if you want to cruise at the speed limit, there are enough turns and downhill sections to fry anyone’s old or sticky calipers. Ask me how I know...

facw > Dusty Ventures 04/12/2018 at 15:21

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Haven’t figured out if I can do this (still waiting for a response from possible co-pilot). However I have a few thoughts on scoring:

+5 for 1980s

+10 for 1970s

+15 for 1960s

+20 for 1950s

+30 for pre-1950

You really should have something for early ‘90s cars. We are talking about cars that are over 25 years old. It seems silly that a car that could wear Antique plates in MA doesn’t get anything for its trouble.

+5 for rear-mid mounted

I understand the desire not to give points to people just because the engine is a few inches farther back, but it’s a shame that this rule seems to exclude the Previa. Maybe give points for anything where you sit on the engine? Help out all those people with cab-over trucks too.

+40 for east of the Iron Curtain

Great for Kia owners! Also, I guess everyone else if you go far enough East.

fennelbreath > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 04/12/2018 at 16:32

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Just commenting to mention that I love Burlington and I am jealous.

Dusty Ventures > facw 04/12/2018 at 16:58

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1: I refuse to acknowledge anything younger than me as being old

2: I can’t write additions and exceptions for every possible oddball configuration, I’d never stop writing if that were the case. That’s where points for “other” come in. Bring something interesting in a way not covered by the points and you’ll be rewarded as such. A Previa would be given points on account of it being a Previa.

3. You know what I mean

MM54 > Dusty Ventures 04/12/2018 at 21:46

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Good news! I can make it, and have a co-driver! I’ll send the registration email shortly (which may be tomorrow). No idea what car I’ll be taking yet. Might be good motivation to get the Chevelle ready to go, but I’m not sure if late July is even remotely feasible.

Noah - Now with more boost. > Dusty Ventures 04/15/2018 at 15:14

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How about an antisocial exhaust characteristics/general noise pollution section?

+ 5 each for:

- visible unburnt fuel

- diesel smoke not generated by rolling coal

- loud turbo under boost

- blow off valve noises

- loud exhaust

- sub woofer, bro

- aftermarket horn (the Q had a hilarious silver horn that caused many a road rage incident).

- blatant exhaust leaks

- that smell from a carbureted car

+ 10 each for:

- cracks and pops not programmed into the ECU

- Flames (must be verified)

Bonus: The WRX is running a 93 tune and I have to carry octane booster in the car at all times. Can I have 2.5 fuel points!?

Noah - Now with more boost. > thejustache 04/15/2018 at 16:17

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Join me in making glorious EJ noise pollution.

deekster_caddy > Dusty Ventures 04/17/2018 at 12:58

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hmm, should be a few points for “doesn’t have A/C” next year. (hopefully I will have the A/C working in my old Buick by then, so it wouldn’t apply to me anyway)

Flyboy is FAA certified insane > Dusty Ventures 04/21/2018 at 19:13

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So my 95 E class wagon is not a 5-door? If it has the rear facing seats?

If not, 3 points for a wagon.

Dusty Ventures > Flyboy is FAA certified insane 04/21/2018 at 19:21

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3 points it is

Pixel > Dusty Ventures 04/23/2018 at 09:11

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Damnit Dusty. I was thinking of selling this because it has more issues than expected. Then you went and posted about another Oppo rally. And now i have to get to work on making it rally ready.

Now to decide if i start working on it more than 20 days before the rally...

duurtlang > Dusty Ventures 05/23/2018 at 08:37

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Dusty, we’re doing a trip from the Nurburgring through the Alps in September. Let’s say we want to incorporate some rally elements as well. Do you have some advice?

https://oppositelock.kinja.com/oppo-ringmeet-swiss-expedition-2018-roll-call-1825995170

In previous trips we’ve had great locations and great routes, both scenic and great fun to drive. Last March in Wales for 5+ days with about 19 cars. However, other than a pre-determined route and maybe a place for lunch any stops or interactions after breakfast and before diner have been random. Don’t get me wrong, it was very fun to do, but I believe we can get more out of it by adding a little structure.

So, I’ve got a few questions.

How do you navigate? Paper map? Google Maps? Some other app? Do you provide destinations or the actual route? Or do people have to work something out before they find out where they have to go?

You mention checkpoints. What’s a checkpoint in this context? Some kind of location to visit to structure the route and from where you can leave at will? Or is it a place where you’re supposed to wait for others? Guy with a stamp and an ink pad? Take a picture of a waypoint to prove you were there? You did mention a treasure hunt.

Treasure hunt. Without giving away too many details from your Half Massed trip, what does this entail?

As always, you’re obviously invited to join us in Germany/Switzerland!

Dusty Ventures > duurtlang 05/28/2018 at 23:08

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Sorry it took me so long to get back to you on this, I’ve been busy getting ready for a stage rally. Shoot me an email with your questions and I’ll be able to give you answers in more detail than I can here (don’t want to divulge privileged information to eavesdropping competitors)

duurtlang > Dusty Ventures 05/29/2018 at 12:51

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No problem, we’ll be doing this in September so there’s no hurry. Anyway, I’d like to shoot you an email but I don’t have your address. Here’s mine:

Dusty Ventures > duurtlang 05/31/2018 at 06:39

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My email is in the post. Howdeedoodat@gmail.com

duurtlang > Dusty Ventures 06/15/2018 at 10:24

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I’ve sent you that email on June 3rd. I hope it wan’t blocked by a spam filter?

Dusty Ventures > duurtlang 06/15/2018 at 10:43

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I got it, just haven’t had the time to respond yet. I’ll send a reply this weekend

Just Jeepin' > Dusty Ventures 07/27/2018 at 00:43

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Shame I’m too late to Oppo and too far away to make it, but I am curious if it’s a good idea to allow 1-person teams. Seems like an adult navigator would make things much safer, based on my own experiences in similar events.

Anyway, have a blast!

Dusty Ventures > Just Jeepin' 07/27/2018 at 01:41

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We had multiple solo teams last year and they all did very well. Lemons Rally, the inspiration for this event, has also had solo teams since the very first rally and it’s never been a problem.