The First SCCA RallySprint Is A Success

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
05/10/2015 at 10:30 • Filed to: scca rallysprint

The SCCA returned to rally style events yesterday, with the first RallySprint event taking place at Team O’Neil Rally School in Dalton, NH. A total of 26 competitors drove two different configurations of the school’s extensive network of gravel roads and training areas. This was the first SCCA event of its kind since 2004, when they !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! However, it ran extremely smoothly, thanks to the efforts of event chair Scott Beliveau and his team of volunteers, recruited from the strong New England Region rallycross community and New England Forest Rally volunteers.

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Since the event ran on actual rally roads, full rally car preparation, safety equipment, and co-drivers were required. Chicanes were added in places to keep top speeds below 70mph. It was a more relaxed event than most stage rallies. There were no championships at stake, and the challenge, or tedium, depending on how you look at it, of transits, regroups, and being precisely on time was gone. The focus was entirely on driving fast on gravel roads.

RallySprint is intended to help bridge the gap – more like a massive chasm – between rallycross and stage rally. While anyone can take their street car out to dodge cones in a dirt field, stage rally requires a dedicated car and a great deal of time and expense. A fair amount of car prep is still required, but a RallySprint is a one day event. If you’re strapped for time or cash, you could conceivably drive to and from the event on the same day, eliminating the cost of hotels. You only need to feed yourself and your team for one day instead of five. Yet you still get an experience similar to a stage rally, which is great practice for those who intend to go there but can’t quite afford it yet, or who want some practice before going all the way.

Some familiar faces from local rallies came out to play, but there were many new faces as well. Ten years ago, I autocrossed with Dan Fouquette at Cumberland Motor Club events in Maine. Today, the 2002 Subaru 2.5RS he autocrossed back then has been converted into a rally car. He drove and completed the RallySprint, with his sister Angie co-driving. Ryan Wilcox brought his Subaru wagon, but originally for his girlfriend Kristina Pacheco to drive. Only when cancellations brought the number of cars below the limit of 30 did Ryan himself enter. Yes, it is possible to have two drivers in one car, making RallySprint a great opportunity for drivers and co-drivers to try swapping seats.

( Correction: Ryan didn’t drive - his friend Adam Brodeur did. He brought the car up just so other people could beat on it. Awesome.)

This was also a great opportunity for new volunteers to learn various worker positions. With just a few experienced people running key roles, first timers can be trained on timing controls, filling out time cards, running flying finish, and other tasks that will be useful knowledge when working at a stage rally. Start and finish control workers swapped places between the morning and afternoon runs. This was completely unnecessary for the logistics of the event, but it was done so these workers could learn both positions in the same day. With two run groups getting three or four runs per session, workers got much more practice than they would at a stage rally. Best of all, there was very little down time, so workers didn’t have to get into position, then wait for hours for cars to show up after running other stages. I worked finish radio all day (one of those key roles), and from what I saw, any of the people I worked with could run a start or finish control at a stage rally after yesterday’s experience.

To say the event was a success is an understatement. Even before it was over, Scott Beliveau told me he hopes to run another in October, and even more in the future – some of which would hopefully be in more open spaces without solid objects, with reduced car preparation requirements to make them more accessible to people without fully prepared rally cars.

SCCA RallySprint is still a pilot program, so don’t get your hopes up too far just yet. But if future RallySprints run as well and as smoothly as the Team O’Neil RallySprint did, the future of RallySprint looks very good indeed.

(Photos by Wyatt Knox)

DISCUSSION (46)

TheOnelectronic > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 10:35

Ah, those pictures bring back memories.

And that last one is amazing. Props to Wyatt on that.

Justin Hughes > TheOnelectronic
05/10/2015 at 10:39

I’ll bet they do. That’s Bill Caswell’s old 318ti, piloted by Al Moody and Tim Chevalier.

Ash78, voting early and often > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 10:43

Looks great. I may be off base here, but rally always seemed like a way to keep tire costs down, too (vs tarmac racing). If I ever get into SCCA racing, rallycross always appealed to me first...this just sweetens things.

If I were an eccentric billionaire, I’d buy up failed rural golf courses and turn them into rally courses. Tree clearing and terrain are already done...

Justin Hughes > Ash78, voting early and often
05/10/2015 at 10:47

Rally is hard on tires, too. Punctures from rocks are common, and sliding sideways over such an abrasive surface can wear those knobby tread blocks down pretty quick. Even worse, you can’t exactly pull into the pits on your next lap for a quick change. You carry your own spare(s), and have to change them yourself.

Aaron Brown > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 11:00

I’m going to try so hard to get a car ready for the fall event. SO HARD.

Dusty Ventures > Ash78, voting early and often
05/10/2015 at 11:39

I would say rally eats tires about as quickly and effectively as tarmac racing

Kinja'd!!!

Mildly Amused > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 14:11

I SOOO want to learn how to rally… Even though I’ll never be able to do actual *rally*, even being able to do it up to this level would be fine. I even countered my mom’s offer of a late honey moon gift to Hawaii with rally school (my husband fully supports this choice), which we hope to be able to do before long (DirtFish, O’Neil would be too much with the extra expenses). Only trouble being that we already have a WRX, and most (if not all) won’t let you start in one, and buying a 4th car just for a hobby is just too much… :(

I always wanted to play hockey, and managed to start doing that in my 30’s, I guess my 40’s are a good time to add another dream??

33WGideon > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 14:23

Any chance we could have a look at the rules for the event?

I know it’s just a testbed but I’d love to know what they are looking at for requirements if this comes full circle.

Also, let’s all show just how much we want this across the nation. SCCA will listen to the grassroots support and desire.

Justin Hughes > Mildly Amused
05/10/2015 at 14:30

It worked for me!

Justin Hughes > 33WGideon
05/10/2015 at 14:37

Here’s a link to the supplemental regs for this event: http://teamoneil.com/wp-content/upl…

The SCCA is listening. They’ve read this article, and asked me if they may link to it themselves. Of course I said yes.

Between RallySprint and Track Night In America, the SCCA is really shaking things up in a good way lately.

33WGideon > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 15:27

Im glad to hear it. Locally, our offroad events are geared towards 4x4ing. While I’ve built some rally toys there’s just precious few places to run them without smacking into spots too rough for even a stout rally car. I dont have a current toy that’s appropriate but if SCCA brings this to AZ I’ll put together something just for this and run it at every event. In fact, there’s an SVT Focus I’ve been eyeballing that would fit nicely I think. Thanks for the link. Any chance we could collect some videos of the event and get a media-centric article on it???

WinrickRacing > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 16:41

Awesome! I really hope I make the NorCal event in a couple weeks.

flat4derek > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 17:49

I can’t wait to get my car ready for the next one. weather October or next may I want to be there!!!

Devinchi42 > 33WGideon
05/10/2015 at 18:25

Some of us who worked the event have put up clips on the NER SCCA RallyCross/RallySprint page ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/6407399… )

Ben Crowe > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 19:43

This kind of event is the bread and butter of many car clubs here in New Zealand. We are a little more lenient in regards to car specs (full rally spec, nor a co driver isn’t a requirement at most events), and most don’t require a rally licence to enter (a “clubsport” licence is often all that is needed, which gives you eligibility to most time awarded events, anywhere in the country).

But these events can be a heap of fun, regardless of whether you are behind the wheel, or spectating.

Stef Schrader > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 20:34

Kinja'd!!!

This is the right car.

6Cylinder > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 20:52

Come to Dirtfish in WA!

Please....

Justin Hughes > Ben Crowe
05/10/2015 at 20:53

That’s because New Zealand is a nation of serious gearheads without the vast overpopulation of lawyers we have in the US. I’m envious.

Justin Hughes > Stef Schrader
05/10/2015 at 20:54

Which? There are several in the pic. Evo, I assume?

Keanna Erickson-Chang > Aaron Brown
05/10/2015 at 21:15

you need this in your life

TA4K > Justin Hughes
05/10/2015 at 23:15

I did stage taping for a rally last year, had to get up at 3AM to do it all since we were driving all the stages before the cars would that day. So much fun, and I have convinced my friend to do it with me this year.

Dusty Ventures > 33WGideon
05/10/2015 at 23:32

Check out Prescott Rally in Prescott, AZ

Dusty Ventures > Mildly Amused
05/10/2015 at 23:33

Why do you think you’ll never be able to do an actual rally?

33WGideon > Dusty Ventures
05/10/2015 at 23:35

Link?!?!?!

Dusty Ventures > 33WGideon
05/10/2015 at 23:39

http://www.prescottrally.com/

33WGideon > Dusty Ventures
05/11/2015 at 00:00

Easy enough, haha. Thanks!

33WGideon > Dusty Ventures
05/11/2015 at 00:09

Looks like it’s only full stage rally.in full prep cars. Too pricey for most of us sadly :/

Aaron Brown > Keanna Erickson-Chang
05/11/2015 at 00:26

Agreed!

Let me see if I can get you added to Oppo. Made it so your comments were out of the grey here.

EAGLE 5 > Justin Hughes
05/11/2015 at 01:00

The Red one.

Jon > Justin Hughes
05/11/2015 at 09:19

FYI, SCCA didn’t leave *ALL* forms of rally except RallyCross — they still have a rather extensive road rally program (ya know - Time Speed Distance rally?). I think you meant left all forms of *STAGE* rally. And yes, there is plenty of crossover between the two.

RallyDork > Justin Hughes
05/11/2015 at 09:30

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/theres-a-new-g…

Here’s another event similar to that we put on last year. We’ve got another one coming up May 30th! www.empirehillclimb.com

So glad to see that get under way!

LostMyOldPassword > Mildly Amused
05/11/2015 at 09:51

Especially if you’re mechanically inclined, I say do it!

I hope to get a car running in the next 3 years... fingers crossed

Justin Hughes > EAGLE 5
05/11/2015 at 09:59

There are two. It’s kind of like “the blue Subaru.”

Justin Hughes > Jon
05/11/2015 at 10:01

You’re right, and I could’ve been more clear. I assumed it was obvious they wouldn’t pull out of TSD rally out of concern for competitor or spectator safety. But you are correct, and I know in NER there is definitely crossover in participants.

Justin Hughes > RallyDork
05/11/2015 at 10:07

Hillclimbs never went away. They just have other sanctioning bodies. Here in New England there’s an active series run by SCCNH and NEHA. There are rally classes, requiring full rally prep and allowing co-drivers, as well as classes for less prepared cars, driven solo.

It would be interesting to run one of these roads as a RallySprint. Stage 1 is up the hill, and stage 2 goes back down. Test the brakes!

PNW20v > Justin Hughes
05/11/2015 at 11:09

This excites me soooo much. Living in Washington State, I PRAY this will show up at some point in Oregon or near me. I dream of events like this in the Cascades!

Dar > WinrickRacing
05/11/2015 at 12:38

As a competitor or as a volunteer? We’re in need of both! (I’m helping organize the Mendocino Rally).

Mildly Amused > Dusty Ventures
05/11/2015 at 15:42

Starting at my age doesn’t help, but mostly cost to fully prep a car and keep it maintained, and also all the traveling since there are none nearby… Even RallyX events vaguely around here would be an overnight trip (4–8hrs away). Well, unless we finally manage to get to the NW, where it’s more popular. Or we get rich, but a big plot of land and make our own rally course! (hey, if you’re gonna dream…)

Though it’s kind of like when I started playing hockey— going from raised in the desert (ie, no ice) to all the gear and playing was too big of a step. Once I found out the “baby steps,” I was all in. I’ll need to bite the bullet one of these days and do RallyX though as we can take the WRX (and my husband would love to try too, especially as the WRX is his daily driver— we had the “agreement” that when his car hit 10 years that I could rally it… that’s this year!)

Dusty Ventures > Mildly Amused
05/11/2015 at 16:09

You can get a decent starter rally car for $5-10k, there are also car rental programs available on a per-rally basis. As for age, there’s no such thing as “too old to start” unless you’re at the point where you confuse forward with reverse, the gas with the brake, and accidentally backed your Buick through the front window of the local Denny’s last week. I’ve co-driven for a woman who started rallying in her 40s, now she’s one of the most active drivers in the series (I also co-drove for her adult son on occasion). I’ve seen new drivers starting in their 50s and even a few in their 60s. Hell, lord Ken Block himself didn’t start until his mid-late 30s.

Whereabouts are you located? There’s a bit of a rally dead zone in the middle of the country and the southeast (Georgia and Florida), but much of the country does have at least one rally within driving distance (though my perception of what qualifies as “within driving distance” may be flawed. I just drove from Massachusetts to Oregon and back for a rally).

Justin Hughes > Dusty Ventures
05/11/2015 at 16:33

Hey, I’m in Mass too!

You must be talking about TAG Rally Sport. Awesome people. I met Tracey when she shook down her first car at an NER rallycross and I worked a corner with her. And look at her now!

Never too old to start. I've volunteered and crewed at rallies before, but never drove or co-drove. My age also begins with a 4, but I still hope to try it sometime.

Mildly Amused > Dusty Ventures
05/11/2015 at 18:29

Yeah— I’m in the dead zone… Des Moines valley is closest SCCA group with any RallyX, though a lot of their stuff is KS/MO/NE (which is the 4-8 hours each way). *Awesome* map link btw! Though a bit depressing as, well, dead zone… :P I’ll definitely keep it in reference though.

Didn’t realize that about Ken Block! I thought all those guys started as kids in karts. We need to make it to rally school first, 3 days of that will give me a better idea of what I can do. I know it’s not a requirement, but it sounds like a blast, and I’ll learn a lot of stuff.

RallyDork > Justin Hughes
05/12/2015 at 08:55

I wasn’t saying all of the hill climbs went away, just our own little local one that ran for about twenty years and was been gone for the same. It’s cool to see a lot of community involvement/nostalgia etc. I’d be interested in seeing how they go about their insurance. We’ve been keeping an eye on this because we have a lot of great roads out this way that would be perfect.

Right now, we have 8 regional events in MI (MI championship anyone?) but it would be better to have more low cost one day events, to test, practice, or compete.

purm0ndis > Justin Hughes
05/12/2015 at 19:22

pix from saturday. still coughing up dust.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set…

Justin Hughes > purm0ndis
05/12/2015 at 21:27

Thanks for sharing! There are a lot of great pictures out there if you look around Facebook a bit.

EAGLE 5 > Justin Hughes
05/19/2015 at 23:48

Negatron the other one is just a Lancer with vortex generators.. cool in sci fi not on the rally trail. Sorry Steph :D

StalePhish > Mildly Amused
05/21/2015 at 11:36

Team O’Neil is certainly expensive ($4k+ for 5 days?) but they do get into WRXs around day 3 or 4.

Kinja'd!!!