Best North American Rally to see?

zoomfactor · 12-18-2002, 02:51 PM

To any of you rally fans, what's the best rally to attend. I've got a few frequent flyer miles that I need to burn and I need to start planning any tripsfor next year - You single people don't know how easy you have it

I've got a college roomate who lives in Prescott. Is this event spectator friendly?

Regards,
jd

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Opie · 12-18-2002, 03:47 PM

Cherokee Trails in Chattanooga, Tennessee was good last year, hopefully the Forest Rangers will have their heads out of there butts this year!

I've heard that STPR is awesome too!

Hmmm, probably when it comes down to it, they are all awesome, go to as many as you can!

Thug · 12-18-2002, 04:09 PM

Charevoix(near Montreal) is as close to a WRC/FIA event as you will get.

Subie Gal · 12-18-2002, 04:19 PM

Wild West (NW) is exciting..... great roads....

not sure about Prescott these days... as it's no longer a Pro Rally and I was only there once....

Maine was VERY much spectator friendly.. but.. it's... maine!

Rim of the World - California... also a great event, good show...
not much to see on Friday though... but Sat can be fun!

hope this helps...
Jamie

www.subiegalracing.com
SubieGal Rally Posters available now
*******************
www.allsubaru.com

WagonMonster · 12-18-2002, 04:22 PM

I've been to:

Oregon Trail
Rim of The World
Wild West
Laughlin
Maine Forest Rally

and a bunch of club rallies...

I'd say the best one for spectating is definitely MAINE!

Great rally

jesse370 · 12-18-2002, 04:23 PM

I love going to the stpr. I've been there for the last 5 years now.....I really miss that purple/white cossie

If I could have one gripe it was that they dropped the ball last year and closed the spectator points at asaph, and because of that the water crossing was mobbed, and that really isn't the best place to watch from.....9 out of 10 cars lift going through it so it is kinda dull. It gets interesting when cars stall in the water and the crew has to tow it out before the next car arrives

travmn · 12-18-2002, 05:26 PM

lspr's always nice

Pete 97 GS-T · 12-18-2002, 06:34 PM

STPR is tough to spectate cuz it's a spaghetti bowl of roads and the best bet is to stay in 1 place all day and see if you can see 2-3 stages at that 1 spot. It does have night rally tho which is cool as hell. And the roads are beautiful, and late May in Pennsylvania is absolute PERFECT weather. Not much dust either.

Maine is about as spectator friendly as I think you'll get. You can see 2 stages on Friday and 2 on Saturday. The roads are rough, the roads aren't super twisty. It can be super dusty, and has been every year I've gone to that one. Weather is either nice, or it can be as hot and humid as you can imagine. Past 3 years have been nice, 1999 was the hottest I've seen yet with temps 90+.

I'd pick LSPR as the rally I'd like to go to the most I think. Lots of stages, a variety of road surfaces and a hodgepodge of weather. I haven't been to that one yet.

I'd stay away from Cherokee like the plague. I was there last year, it's not worth risking your time.

I've got pics from STPR & Maine from the past 4-5 years on my site.

Pete
www.onalimbracing.com

nate49509 · 12-18-2002, 09:58 PM

lspr is a awesome rally but the organizers don't make it very spectator friendly. Sno-drift is good too and they make it a little easier on spectators. But I think I like LSPR more.

Thug · 12-18-2002, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pete 97 GS-T

Maine is about as spectator friendly as I think you'll get. You can see 2 stages on Friday and 2 on Saturday. The roads are rough, the roads aren't super twisty. It can be super dusty, and has been every year I've gone to that one. Weather is either nice, or it can be as hot and humid as you can imagine. Past 3 years have been nice, 1999 was the hottest I've seen yet with temps 90+.

Ugh. I remember that year. I felt like I had eaten 5 pounds of crushed gravel at the end of each day.

Chunky_Chicken · 12-18-2002, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by y2k4door
Charevoix(near Montreal) is as close to a WRC/FIA event as you will get.

ditto

Bonzo · 12-19-2002, 12:20 AM

I've attended LSPR a few times.

I agree it is a challenge for the spectator. But the fun and challenge is planning, mapping and then driving to the next stage. The roads and scenery are awesome

Kitsune · 12-19-2002, 02:43 AM

I've only been to the Maine Forest, which was the last one held. Having helped out working the stages, from my point of view the big reason it is so spectator friendly is that they don't organize the workers well enough to keep fans out of the dangerous/fun to view spots. The spectator stage ended up being a dust storm, you could'nt see a car ten feet away let alone the car seeing the road. I know there is'nt much anyone can do about the dry weather, but a water truck (for a stage that was'nt even half a mile it would have worked just fine) would have been smart and kept a few cars from almost taking out the crowd.

I enjoyed the rally, I mean hell I'm a fan first crowd control second. Just should have had been better organized.

Pete 97 GS-T · 12-19-2002, 06:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kitsune
I've only been to the Maine Forest, which was the last one held. Having helped out working the stages, from my point of view the big reason it is so spectator friendly is that they don't organize the workers well enough to keep fans out of the dangerous/fun to view spots. The spectator stage ended up being a dust storm, you could'nt see a car ten feet away let alone the car seeing the road. I know there is'nt much anyone can do about the dry weather, but a water truck (for a stage that was'nt even half a mile it would have worked just fine) would have been smart and kept a few cars from almost taking out the crowd.

I wish they'd bring back the in town stage. The ½ mile paved one. I'd be nice if they could rotate from the rec area stage to the in town one each year.

thechickencow · 12-19-2002, 08:56 AM

My first real rally was LSPR this year, the rest have all been on tv. I worked for a few stages, so really only got to see them. It was fun, and great scenery up there between stages.

If you're looking to fly in, maybe you should consider the proximity to an airport in your selection?

mturmel · 12-19-2002, 09:27 AM

I'd say Charlevoix as well...

Quote:

Charevoix(near Montreal) is as close to a WRC/FIA event as you will get.

However, it's close to Quebec city as opposed to Montreal (400km from Montreal, 150 from Quebec City)

. It's a 3h30 hour drive from Montreal as opposed to a 1h15 min drive from Quebec City... (well, 45 min in a WRX...). Make sure you fly to the "Aeroport Jean Lesage" in Quebec City.

Plus you get the benefit of the exchange rate to our Canadian Rouble...

->Rally Charlevoix

Matt

zoomfactor · 12-19-2002, 11:06 AM

Thank You all for your input!

DCRallyDave · 12-19-2002, 07:04 PM

I competed in all existing N American Nationals except LSPR and Wild West in 2002.
Depends on what you want o see. Just fast cars or scenery too.
I'd say Rally de Quebec or Charlevoix are best. Avoid STPR. Rocky Mtn and BigHorn Rallies are a week apart in the Canadian Rockies and make an excellent scenic vacation but the number of entries is less.
Maine is good too.

Narcisse91 · 12-19-2002, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kitsune
I've only been to the Maine Forest, which was the last one held. Having helped out working the stages, from my point of view the big reason it is so spectator friendly is that they don't organize the workers well enough to keep fans out of the dangerous/fun to view spots. The spectator stage ended up being a dust storm, you could'nt see a car ten feet away let alone the car seeing the road. I know there is'nt much anyone can do about the dry weather, but a water truck (for a stage that was'nt even half a mile it would have worked just fine) would have been smart and kept a few cars from almost taking out the crowd.

I enjoyed the rally, I mean hell I'm a fan first crowd control second. Just should have had been better organized.

The problem isn't the organizers, the problem is some fans are idiots. When you're driving through a forest, you CAN'T keep track of everyone who watches at every point. Some people will wander through the woods, that's a given. There's nothing wrong with that if the fans who do it are careful and responsible, but unfortunately, there will always be fans who think they're rally traffic and race through the towns, there will always be fans getting drunk and wandering around stages, and there will always be fans who want to get so close to see that they get in the way of rally traffic and end up causing accidents or getting stages cancelled.

EDIT: Oh yeah, and STPR is definitely one of the best in the country. Spectator spots are mostly buried in the woods, but that's why you work the event. Front row seats all day and night.

TheDerangedWarTomato · 12-20-2002, 03:32 AM

L.S.P.R. is my pick. I've been going to this rally since 1975. Back when it was called the P.O.R Rally, ie Press On Regardless Rally. The L.S.P.R. is the oldest of all the SCCA Rallies in the USA. If you look back about two mounths or do a serch in this form, I have posted of pics of this years L.S.P.R.

Happy Holidays to all.

P.S. If you need info on where to fly into, places to stay and eat, let me know.

zoomfactor · 12-20-2002, 01:14 PM

Thanks again. Now the hard part is seeing which ones fit my schedule. I've been a long time rally fan but usually a TV spectator.

Pete 97 GS-T · 12-20-2002, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zoomfactor
I've been a long time rally fan but usually a TV spectator.

Watching rally on TV is like having a picture of a steak on your monitor and licking the screen to taste it. It doesn't do it justice. You must see it in person.

Pete

WagonMonster · 12-20-2002, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kitsune
I've only been to the Maine Forest, which was the last one held. Having helped out working the stages, from my point of view the big reason it is so spectator friendly is that they don't organize the workers well enough to keep fans out of the dangerous/fun to view spots.

You mean like the 40 or so of us tromping through the woods to avoid you guys?

(we were just following webkris, it's all his fault!

)

zoomfactor · 12-23-2002, 12:21 AM

I know that there's nothing like being there in person. I had my whole life changed in the late 80's when I went to the Grand Prix of Miami. When you stepped off the Metrorail about two blocks from the track you could hear and feel the vibration of the engines echoing through the city - it also helped that this was before some of the strict noise rules.

I always liked it loud -- and when you cover your ears you can still feel it in your chest.

Robin2 · 12-23-2002, 03:11 PM

It really depends on what you want to see and do at the rallies....

I've gone to all events in eastern Canada and US events... and they all vary.

Charlevoix (October) and Quebec (March) is awesome as a spectator cause the roads are great, pretty good spectator spots, lots to do after the rally, lots of hotels, restaurants, etc... but the entry field isn't large but they race over 3 days (Friday to Sunday). So you could easily view 6 stages. (2 per day if not more).

Maine (July) and STPR (June) are great too cause it's summer and you can go there and do some camping too (limited hotels and restaurant. Not much to do in the region).... The entry field are huge and lots of big cars there (half of the field is either Group N or Open class). Maine gives the edge cause they race over 2 days instead of 1 (as in STPR). STPR makes for a long day since the first stage is usually around 8:30am and the last around 10pm....

My picks would be:
1. Québec City
2. Maine
3. Charlevoix
4. STPR
5. Rally des Défi (near Montreal, August)
6. Tall Pines Rally (November, near Ottawa)

For the Canadian Rallies, you can find all the info here:
www.carsrally.ca

Robin

12-18-2002, 02:51 PM	#1
zoomfactor Scooby Specialist Member#: 30440 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: slave to self-employment Vehicle: 03 WRX WR Blue	Best North American Rally to see? To any of you rally fans, what's the best rally to attend. I've got a few frequent flyer miles that I need to burn and I need to start planning any tripsfor next year - You single people don't know how easy you have it I've got a college roomate who lives in Prescott. Is this event spectator friendly? Regards, jd * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

12-19-2002, 07:04 PM	#18
DCRallyDave Scooby Specialist Member#: 4379 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: pineapple under the sea Vehicle: DSM LanciaShelby351 CanJam Codriver	Canada I competed in all existing N American Nationals except LSPR and Wild West in 2002. Depends on what you want o see. Just fast cars or scenery too. I'd say Rally de Quebec or Charlevoix are best. Avoid STPR. Rocky Mtn and BigHorn Rallies are a week apart in the Canadian Rockies and make an excellent scenic vacation but the number of entries is less. Maine is good too.

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12-18-2002, 03:47 PM	#2
Opie Floresbian Moderator Member#: 470 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Riverview, Florida - U.S.A. Vehicle: 2013 BRZ, 2011 Forester, '04 Chev 2500HD	Cherokee Trails in Chattanooga, Tennessee was good last year, hopefully the Forest Rangers will have their heads out of there butts this year! I've heard that STPR is awesome too! Hmmm, probably when it comes down to it, they are all awesome, go to as many as you can!

12-18-2002, 04:09 PM	#3
Thug Choke Artist Moderator Member#: 603 Join Date: Dec 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Nashua, NH	Charevoix(near Montreal) is as close to a WRC/FIA event as you will get.

12-18-2002, 04:19 PM	#4
Subie Gal GC84Ever Super Moderator Member#: 301 Join Date: Sep 1999 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: WA Vehicle: 2001 2.5 RS/70 Van 02 WRX Rally Stud	Wild West (NW) is exciting..... great roads.... not sure about Prescott these days... as it's no longer a Pro Rally and I was only there once.... Maine was VERY much spectator friendly.. but.. it's... maine! Rim of the World - California... also a great event, good show... not much to see on Friday though... but Sat can be fun! hope this helps... Jamie www.subiegalracing.com SubieGal Rally Posters available now ******************* www.allsubaru.com

12-18-2002, 04:22 PM	#5
WagonMonster Scooby Guru Member#: 3781 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: San Francisco Vehicle: 2012 Fiat 500 Sport 2009 Subaru Forester X	I've been to: Oregon Trail Rim of The World Wild West Laughlin Maine Forest Rally and a bunch of club rallies... I'd say the best one for spectating is definitely MAINE! Great rally

12-18-2002, 04:23 PM	#6
jesse370 Scooby Specialist Member#: 12147 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: collingswood nj Vehicle: 2005 g-35 ivory pearl	I love going to the stpr. I've been there for the last 5 years now.....I really miss that purple/white cossie If I could have one gripe it was that they dropped the ball last year and closed the spectator points at asaph, and because of that the water crossing was mobbed, and that really isn't the best place to watch from.....9 out of 10 cars lift going through it so it is kinda dull. It gets interesting when cars stall in the water and the crew has to tow it out before the next car arrives

12-18-2002, 05:26 PM	#7
travmn Scooby Specialist Member#: 10964 Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Chi-town Vehicle: 06 ForesterXT '02 Triumph S3	lspr's always nice

12-18-2002, 06:34 PM	#8
Pete 97 GS-T Scooby Specialist Member#: 13559 Join Date: Dec 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Brockton, MA Vehicle: 2009 Tacoma that people like crashing into	STPR is tough to spectate cuz it's a spaghetti bowl of roads and the best bet is to stay in 1 place all day and see if you can see 2-3 stages at that 1 spot. It does have night rally tho which is cool as hell. And the roads are beautiful, and late May in Pennsylvania is absolute PERFECT weather. Not much dust either. Maine is about as spectator friendly as I think you'll get. You can see 2 stages on Friday and 2 on Saturday. The roads are rough, the roads aren't super twisty. It can be super dusty, and has been every year I've gone to that one. Weather is either nice, or it can be as hot and humid as you can imagine. Past 3 years have been nice, 1999 was the hottest I've seen yet with temps 90+. I'd pick LSPR as the rally I'd like to go to the most I think. Lots of stages, a variety of road surfaces and a hodgepodge of weather. I haven't been to that one yet. I'd stay away from Cherokee like the plague. I was there last year, it's not worth risking your time. I've got pics from STPR & Maine from the past 4-5 years on my site. Pete www.onalimbracing.com

12-18-2002, 09:58 PM	#9
nate49509 Scooby Guru Member#: 22452 Join Date: Aug 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Not Flint. Vehicle: '04 WRX witty comment goes here	lspr is a awesome rally but the organizers don't make it very spectator friendly. Sno-drift is good too and they make it a little easier on spectators. But I think I like LSPR more.

12-19-2002, 12:20 AM	#12
Bonzo Scooby Specialist Member#: 2307 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: West of Rd Am	I've attended LSPR a few times. I agree it is a challenge for the spectator. But the fun and challenge is planning, mapping and then driving to the next stage. The roads and scenery are awesome

12-19-2002, 02:43 AM	#13
Kitsune Scooby Specialist Member#: 28934 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: 08096, NJ Vehicle: 95 Miata 89' BMW 325is	I've only been to the Maine Forest, which was the last one held. Having helped out working the stages, from my point of view the big reason it is so spectator friendly is that they don't organize the workers well enough to keep fans out of the dangerous/fun to view spots. The spectator stage ended up being a dust storm, you could'nt see a car ten feet away let alone the car seeing the road. I know there is'nt much anyone can do about the dry weather, but a water truck (for a stage that was'nt even half a mile it would have worked just fine) would have been smart and kept a few cars from almost taking out the crowd. I enjoyed the rally, I mean hell I'm a fan first crowd control second. Just should have had been better organized.

12-19-2002, 08:56 AM	#15
thechickencow Scooby Guru Member#: 16840 Join Date: Mar 2002 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Medford, WI Vehicle: 07 fsxt 03 ktm 640 adventure	My first real rally was LSPR this year, the rest have all been on tv. I worked for a few stages, so really only got to see them. It was fun, and great scenery up there between stages. If you're looking to fly in, maybe you should consider the proximity to an airport in your selection?

12-19-2002, 11:06 AM	#17
zoomfactor Scooby Specialist Member#: 30440 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: slave to self-employment Vehicle: 03 WRX WR Blue	Thank You all for your input!

12-20-2002, 03:32 AM	#20
TheDerangedWarTomato Scooby Newbie Member#: 18911 Join Date: May 2002 Location: MI Vehicle: 2002 WRX Black	L.S.P.R. is my pick. I've been going to this rally since 1975. Back when it was called the P.O.R Rally, ie Press On Regardless Rally. The L.S.P.R. is the oldest of all the SCCA Rallies in the USA. If you look back about two mounths or do a serch in this form, I have posted of pics of this years L.S.P.R. Happy Holidays to all. P.S. If you need info on where to fly into, places to stay and eat, let me know.

12-20-2002, 01:14 PM	#21
zoomfactor Scooby Specialist Member#: 30440 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: slave to self-employment Vehicle: 03 WRX WR Blue	Thanks again. Now the hard part is seeing which ones fit my schedule. I've been a long time rally fan but usually a TV spectator.

12-23-2002, 12:21 AM	#24
zoomfactor Scooby Specialist Member#: 30440 Join Date: Nov 2002 Chapter/Region: South East Location: slave to self-employment Vehicle: 03 WRX WR Blue	I know that there's nothing like being there in person. I had my whole life changed in the late 80's when I went to the Grand Prix of Miami. When you stepped off the Metrorail about two blocks from the track you could hear and feel the vibration of the engines echoing through the city - it also helped that this was before some of the strict noise rules. I always liked it loud -- and when you cover your ears you can still feel it in your chest.

12-23-2002, 03:11 PM	#25
Robin2 NASIOC Supporter Member#: 390 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: E. Canada Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Vehicle: 2011 WRX sedan Plasma Blue	It really depends on what you want to see and do at the rallies.... I've gone to all events in eastern Canada and US events... and they all vary. Charlevoix (October) and Quebec (March) is awesome as a spectator cause the roads are great, pretty good spectator spots, lots to do after the rally, lots of hotels, restaurants, etc... but the entry field isn't large but they race over 3 days (Friday to Sunday). So you could easily view 6 stages. (2 per day if not more). Maine (July) and STPR (June) are great too cause it's summer and you can go there and do some camping too (limited hotels and restaurant. Not much to do in the region).... The entry field are huge and lots of big cars there (half of the field is either Group N or Open class). Maine gives the edge cause they race over 2 days instead of 1 (as in STPR). STPR makes for a long day since the first stage is usually around 8:30am and the last around 10pm.... My picks would be: 1. Québec City 2. Maine 3. Charlevoix 4. STPR 5. Rally des Défi (near Montreal, August) 6. Tall Pines Rally (November, near Ottawa) For the Canadian Rallies, you can find all the info here: www.carsrally.ca Robin