http://www.scca.com/Rally/Rally.asp?IdS=000A56-3DA7B90&x=040|010&~=
Can't see the picture above? Go to scca.com, then rally bar on left, then rallycross--it's their main picture right now.

Okay! How many of you REALLY want to Rallycross?
For those not familiar with Rallycross -- closed course, no wheel-to-wheel racing with other vehicles, helmets required (loaners available), no rollcage or special car prep, and according to those few who have come out to try it in the Subarus--lots of challenge and fun!

Stewards of Rally are planning another rallycross or two for this year, yet after far too many hours put into the RondyCross event for only 16 cars, we are wondering if it's all talk and no interest. I realize that most are not going to use their cars for what their heritage is (WRC) and are simply daily drivers and show cars, yet we need to know if there is any interest from this NASIOC AKIC group in rallycross.

Costs? Rondy had a HUGE fee for the Stewards that they had to pay last October for our event to be an official Rondy event. Our fees (besides Rondy) are $40/$50 for SCCA members and those without an SCCA card. Yet with our 10/10 rule--save $10 by registering 10 days out, most paid $30/$40. It appears that many like to wait till the morning of the event and pay the higher fee, which is fine, yet it doesn't help a new sport with planning for their events.

Sites? We haven't been able to find a farmer's field (dirt/grasses) with the help of three+ members who live in the valley. This year, we may have a new option, yet how many of you are "really" going to drive your car on a dirt course? We have ruled out many sites 'cause of gravel. Most have complained that the fairgrounds is "too bumpy."

So blast away. We wanna hear from you. Highs. Lows. Gripes. And, heck, I wouldn't even mind hearing good things too, lol!

I already do the timing/scoring so once the time and place are decided, you know i'm always game. No lows/gripes from me, only free flying highs of running a Rally-X.

Everyone, now is the time to show you want to participate in something that is lots of fun. If no one wants to race on dirt/grass/gravel, then say so, so we can stop wasting time and quit supporting a sport people say they want to do, but never want to do it.

Thanks,

2006 Rondy Cross Red Lantern Award WinnAR!!!1

id go but im not yet ready for my car on it yet .. but i would like to go and watch ..would make me more comfortable.. i wish their were practice courses somwhere ..all i got is the roads in eagle river to practice with lol

You know I'm interested.

The Rondy site is great for many reasons, but it's paved under all that snow and ice, right? You're talking about summertime events, or already thinking fall? (Spring?)

Summer events would require a location similar to the Rondy site, but with good dirt. Yeah, I know it's wishful thinking. I think most folks don't want to hurt their car, and depending on suspension mods, it may be a factor. Honestly, I loved the fairgrounds site, but with my old car. Yes, it was bumpy, bumpy enough to get my butt off of my seat on occasion. Even I'm somewhat reluctant to take my "new" car out on a course that's that rough. Especially if I'm running a summer setup, whatever that may be at the time.

Summer schedules are busy too, with other automotive events, and just general summer life in Alaska. But if you're thinking spring or fall, then yeah, it all depends on the site. If costs are similar to auto-x $$, then it'd be more inviting to the guy who hasn't tried it yet.

I'm personally getting revved up for the auto-x season, but rally-x is far more fun. I think if we had a hospitable site that was readily available, the program would do better.

But you know all this Cheryl. As far as compliments go, while at the Rondy event, I was highly impressed at the number of people who came and offered their time, many who did not drive. It was basically a very cold solo II event, and it was well planned.

As Jordy said, it depends on interest. Over a year ago when I went to my first event, I didn't know what to expect at all. I was pleasantly surprised, and I love to rally-x. But, if there are only a handful of folks interested, it does seem futile. I hope others will post and give their input, because it's much needed.

End of the day here in Anchorage, and I see over 70 folk have looked at the RallyCross post...only 2 folks took time to write. What does this mean?

Does it confirm there is no interest in RallyCross in Alaska?
That most readers of this forum are not in Alaska?

Folks, this is important and your responses (or lack there of) are helping to shape the future of this sport in Alaska.

id be interested in watching =)
i dont even wanna try rallying in a fwd lol

I'd be in if the RS wasn't in poor health. I'm at the point where I use downshifting/revmatching and the e-brake to come to a stop now, instead of braking normally. I don't have the money to fix it :(

Cheryl. ESPN X-games has taken in Rally Racing as a sport, so after this summer I expect it to become way more popular. Keep that in mind.

id be interested in watching =)
i dont even wanna try rallying in a fwd lol

You would be amazed what a front drive car can do WITHOUT the e-brake. I won my first rallycross in a NEON!


Goddess, I am interested in 'crossing and can help support it as my schedule allows. I also like to compete, too. I'm just running out of borrowed cars due to beating the owners :D j/k

I would love to continue to participate, but will not be able to here in Alaska.

I was not able to make it to as many RallyX or AutoX's due to scheduling and not having a car, but enjoyed everyone I went to. Hopefully more people will start to participate and learn how much fun you can have with your car legally.

As for the RallyX locations, I know that I would not run the Fairground location in the A6 again, but would have ran it at the old Native hospital location. As much as some people would love to take their cars out, for most people these are their daily drivers and cannot afford to possibly damage them.

Well I hope the participation increases and the program continues to grow.

Kris

"for most people these are their daily drivers and cannot afford to possibly damage them."

Thats my issue right there. I'd LOVE to participate 4EAT or not as soon as I can afford and pick up a decent beater.

"for most people these are their daily drivers and cannot afford to possibly damage them."

Thats my issue right there. I'd LOVE to participate 4EAT or not as soon as I can afford and pick up a decent beater.

depending on where it is it's not that bad on ur car...fairgrounds is rough...downtown is nice...

"for most people these are their daily drivers and cannot afford to possibly damage them."

Thats my issue right there. I'd LOVE to participate 4EAT or not as soon as I can afford and pick up a decent beater.

Thats the boat I'm in. Not about to possibly damage my daily driver :( Now if I had money to spend on tires and what not well SURE I'd be out there in my front wheel drive screaming around the cones.

For now I'll watch with JC :)

"for most people these are their daily drivers and cannot afford to possibly damage them."

Ditto

All this talk about ruining your car reminds me of this pic taken by JordyB

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/eurojax/rallyx1forweb.jpg

That's the fairgrounds. I'm almost on three wheels there.

http://www.eurojaxonline.com/rallycrossfinal.avi is taken at the downtown site.

So, there really is a huge difference in car destroying between the two.

I concur with the "dont want to ruin my daily driver"

I am set up more for Auto-x, and as such have a bit stiffer springs, lower stance, etc. Good fro around town spirited driving and the "track" but not good for Rally-xing.

Cop out, sure..... a small one. I push the beast hard at teh Auto-x, so woudl be the same at Rally-x. But now with the new setup installed, I fear breaking something. Audi=money pit. I recall hitting the frost heave Jake uses for road rallys a bit too quickly and cracking my oilpan open. there went $500+ down the drain.

"for most people these are their daily drivers and cannot afford to possibly damage them."
Same thing here

"for most people these are their daily drivers and cannot afford to possibly damage them."
Same thing here
thats how i feel to .. now if i had 2 wrx's.. id be their in a heartbeat... HMMM IDEA!!! Lets pitch in money and buy a rally car!!! Get a STi and mod it.. YEAH!! we can all have fun. :lol: jk of course.. (everyone now is probably thinking "that stupid teenager brian") :lol:

I'd try it... After all, it's just a car. Don't wanna trash your car? don't go 110%. Just get out there and have fun swingin' that Bioooootch sideways.

But what the hell do I know,
~Turk

Photos from last year: Winter Wanderland RallyCross - January 15, 2005: http://jordyb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=20

Ah, my old car. And the winter rims, before the paint job. :)

And Turk brings up a point. In rally-x and auto-x it's important to drive according to the conditions, rally-x it's just a bit more complicated. The course walk-through is important in auto-x to figure out the best line to drive to go the fastest. Of course, the same applies with rally-x, although you also have to factor in the 3rd dimension (bumps and dips and rocks etc) and try to figure out a line that considers this additional challenge.

At the fairgrounds, yeah I hit some bumps too hard on occasion, but the next time on the course, I adjusted so that I didn't. Even at the Rondy site, there were some bumpy spots, and I just made sure I slowed down ahead of time.

And in both auto-x and rally-x, I spend much of my course walk-through kicking rocks out of the way. Unless they're frozen into the ground. :)

If you drive within your capabilities, and the capabilities of your car, you'll be fine. And you'll still have more fun than sleeping in. If you've never auto-xed or rally-xed, I'd suggest trying at least an auto-x this summer and see if it's something you'd be interested in.

haha looked through the link there JordyB... pic of Sam doing his famous pose and Alex in the background looking clueless cracked me up :D

Thats the boat I'm in. Not about to possibly damage my daily driver :( Now if I had money to spend on tires and what not well SURE I'd be out there in my front wheel drive screaming around the cones.

For now I'll watch with JC :)
exactly. perhaps after we pick up the STI for phil, we'll convert the vibe to a rally/auto-x vehicle to play with then it won't matter.. lol

Man makes me wish i had my subie earlier and met you guys sooner.. seems like theirs some great memories back in the day when things were just starting lol

You have no idea...4-5 years ago, things were very different...

You have no idea...4-5 years ago, things were very different...
How so JordyB? good or bad way? give me some flashbacks im quite curious :lol:

Add me to the Rally-X and Auto-X list. That's why I bought the project car. I'm not sure how many events I'll be able to make but I"m definitely in. We'll see what happens with the deployment schedule.

Winslow

I forgot to mention. I was out driving around on Fort Rich doing some work. There are some nice roads out by the lakes in the Eagle river flats area and a large cleared area by lake clunie. The large clearing is used as a landing and drop zone for personnel and equipment airdrops. It's dimensions are about 1600 yards by 1800 yards. Damn big if you ask me. I figure since you were able to secure Elmendorf last year then maybe someone could find out about the clearing. It's worth investigating.

Winslow