I did not go to Disney World, yet I was in Florida recently. I got home from meetings and adventures at the SCCA National Convention on Monday, Jan 21st and left Alaska on the 22nd for the Sunshine State. I know! I know what you are thinking – why not just go from Vegas? 

Winter Adventures

My husband would not have been pleased had I gone without him…remember, I said I did not go to Disney World? We took in the Daytona24 and then on to the Gulf side to visit framily and look up property my father purchased while in Japan back in 1968 (now there is a story!). We trekked with five fellow Alaskans who winter in Florida and five who currently reside there, and one who was visiting her Mums. It was terrific to find sunshine “with warmth” in its rays! We visited trackside with local SCCA members (sorry we missed the Detroit Region crew), with great success we spoke with manufacturers on site and confirmed with Hagerty about the new SCCA Official Insurance relationship (it has saved us $89 on our annual policy). Our devices recorded five miles-plus each day, and we enjoyed the hospitality of Grassroots Motorsports: their “midnight” tour of the garages and the warmth their tent provided from the elements. We almost volunteered with the local SCCA Region as corner workers and shuttle drivers, yet as this was our first foray for the five of us, we opted to get the lay of the land and purchased our passes. I wonder, would I have shared “shuttle shifts” with SCCA Chairman Lee Hill? At the close of the trip, we toured the St Petersburg IndyCar course (which will give a new view of the race on television this weekend) and a chance to watch Clan Engstrom run the RC Races. Even with the cars dialed down, I was a failure at keeping the remote control cars on the dirt at speed and let us say that the hubby should keep to racing 1:1 scale too, ha!

The time away afforded me time to be with motorsport folk who “validate vs. tolerate” those in their lives. My mind was freed from demands and haunts of being in the office those ten days, and the break from news on television was a good health measure too! It was refreshing just to take each day as it came and enjoy the adventures. 

Delayed flights got us home at 330AM and a day later than the original 1130P Monday, yet learning my beloved 1997 Subaru Legacy 2.5GT had been stolen three days earlier took the wind out of my sails just two days later. Worse? The shop did not know it was missing and they had not done the work promised while we were gone. The car was recovered five days after taken, yet I don’t ever want to be in it again. It is just something I don’t need to do, and we got our $50 (those of you who have dealt with insurance companies understand that) vs. the cost to replace. Nothing like returning to find your vehicle stolen, involved in a police chase, and trashed by thugs while you were having a holiday! Not sure the direction we’ll take for a replacement. The Timewise rally cable was still intact, while other items in the glove box were stolen or destroyed; maybe there is a rally god after all, ha! We’ll have the cable removed, yet with no need to put mileage on a road rally in Alaska with any vehicle I own — it’s all good for now. She saw many a backroad and was a worthy rally companion. As for vehicle theft, it certainly leaves one feeling violated and disheartened by fellow humans.

USRRC Update

I was asked if I would be attending the Sunday morning RRB early-session at Vegas' SCCA Convention by Chairman Lee Hill and I shared that was no longer acceptable. He said he was planning on “dropping in,” which he did. I did express my concern to him that the 25th Annual United States Road Rally Challenge had not yet been determined, and for our SCCA-sanctioned sport it was the RunOffs of Club Racing or the Nationals of the Solo program and that its lack of being scheduled was quite disheartening. I followed up with him last week and learned that at this time there is nothing planned for the 25th Annual USRRC. 

Someone suggested we take it on here in Alaska again; we know there is plenty of interest by folk wishing to travel north and there is interest in running a two-plus day event locally. Heck, with the development of Rally Apps in these two years since our 2017 USRRC, we could remove the burden of teams jamming down back roads to beat checkpoint workers (not that we speed, just saying). It would be easier for us given the vast distances and only one route to go. I think most teams have experienced the “honking” of a checkpoint crew trying to get ahead of the pack! 

All of that said, no matter the scale of the event…I sure would hate to see the RoadRally Board fail to have a 25th Annual; it is our programs’ only claim to a long-running event. The word from Chairman Crittenden was, “At this point in time, no Region has offered to host a 2019 USRRC. We have a Region that has expressed interest in hosting a 2020 USRRC.” Alas, that means the claim of an enduring SCCA RoadRally event will be lost after twenty-four events and the works of Rallymasters and Crews to make it happen. I did write one Region in support of their rally program taking on the event. I provided them with a list of why their existing event would be the perfect venue, with only an ending restaurant choice as the difference they may have to make. I encourage all of you to talk to Rallymasters of existing National and Divisional events in 2019 too!

In Closing…

Our RReNews upgrade with WordPress has had more issues with support than it has been stable. You may have noticed this issue did not have links taking you over there? We hope to resolve this matter by Friday, yet it may lead to a rebuild of the site. At this point, we think that may be a positive thing despite the efforts it would take!

Aftershocks from the November 30th quake have subsided, although we had one this morning; odd how the small ones don’t seem to phase us now.

A reminder to all that while we have produced RReNews in association with the Sports Car Club of America since 2013, our effort is to provide a community for all Road Rally on North America — independent car clubs, community events, and marque clubs — which SCCA has supported as it brings awareness to the sport for all of us.

To those of you receiving this edition as your first Road Rally eNews, welcome to our motorsports family! We are a collaborative effort. Should you be a Rallymaster, please send in your information months out (as soon as you have the details 'n date), send photos 'n standings 'n post-event write-ups! Rallyists write your experiences, write of a method or style of rallying, contribute to our There is an App for That, My First Road Rally (as competitor or Rallymaster). Come join us and be a part of this road rally community!

Our days are continuing to get longer with sunrise at 812A and sunset at 614P, and I am feeling “recharged” by its rays and the warmth in. Tis true that it shall be quite a while before the green grass appears, yet we are on the shorter side of winter now, and it won’t be long!

Thank you for your time.

We'll see you down the road,

Cheryl Lynn and the RReNews Team

#comeroadrally #wefoundtheroads