Doc1647545523 Posted October 12, 2016 Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) I know that Eric has started a pic thread on this as well, but it doesn't hurt to have more piktars. In September/October, Rally North America hosted the last Ohio Valley Rally. From now on, there will be the big summer rally and then a few limited drives with track days. This year's fall rally benefitted CURE, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy. We raised over $25,000 for the charity, with the help of the many team donors. The Rally ran 3 days from Hershey, PA to McHenry, Maryland, then on to Snowshoe WV and ended in Athens, Ohio. The rally is based on navigating to checkpoints (based on clues or photos), with many opportunities for bonus scavenger hunt photos along the way. Highest score at the finished line at the appointed time is the winner. Here's an example of a clue: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/route%20card_zps3wuktsdu.jpg We had a Thursday evening driver meeting in Hershey and a charity auction, which is always a bunch of fun. Friday morning we toured the Antique Automobile Club of America Museum, which is about a half-day's worth of cars and interesting displays. Yep, that's the Hershey Kissmobile out front: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/hershey%20museum_zpscqy5vnov.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/kissmobile_zpsanm6ofva.jpg They house the world's largest collection of Tucker automobiles (three!). http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/red%20tucker_zpsscix1e3u.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/Orange%20Tucker_zps4jgfacpr.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/Silver%20Tucker_zpsldrtz9sw.jpg as well as many cool antique and modern cars http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/Pierce%20Arrow_zpsthxcnmy1.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/t%20bird_zpslgf78ker.jpg buses, SUV's, my favorite classic Rover: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/Rover%202_zpsszmpybge.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/Rover_zps74vqxaew.jpg and loads of other oddities http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/robot_zpsy7vkxewd.jpg they do a great job of explaining the context of the cars with displays. Here's a 1950's gas station counter: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/gas%20station%20counter_zpsun3z5r5i.jpg Most teams hurried through the museum, eager to start the rally. We lined up in order of who raised the most money for the charity. Thanks to many friends, including CR members Brian Goodman, Brian Wagner, Mike LaNasa, Jim Rose, Addison Good, and the always-generous crew at Wheel Medic, I had the pole position for this rally. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/pole%20position_zpszbjyigjq.jpg Some fun cars and teams in the field, as always: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/Amish%20Mafia_zpstusxqtzt.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/car%20line_zpsnzwjv3s7.jpg Edited October 13, 2016 by Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc1647545523 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) Our first full rally day was rainy, but took us to historic sites along the Lincoln Highway, to haunted buildings, alongside bison, to quirky landmarks like this giant coffee pot http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/coffee%20pot_zps8urtuldt.jpg we ate lunch at a 1779 tavern, and toured the Flight 93 memorial. I admit, I had never heard of the memorial, but it's well worth a visit. We ended the day at the Wisp Resort Hotel along Deep Creek Lake in Maryland, a really great spot. Day 2 of the Rally had us exploring some great roads in the Maryland and West Virginia mountains. As the morning cleared, the driving improved, but the views from the peaks remained fairly foggy. Seneca Rocks in West Virginia: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/senenca%20rocks_zpspwikkr14.jpg Near Dolly Sods: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/rolling%20hills_zpswjyhnhrc.jpg At the highest point in West Virginia, an observation tower with a view of fog http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/observation%20tower_zpsnbbsgp1t.jpg I don't have good shots of all the twisties, but trust me, there were some great drives. Here's some of the rolling highway we travelled: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/long%20hill_zpsmlodjghv.jpg Edited October 12, 2016 by Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc1647545523 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) Our last checkpoint of day 2 was the Green Bank radio telescope. It is the world's largest movable land object at 17 million pounds and 485 feet tall. This is not my photo but shows you the scale of the thing: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/green%20bank%20radio%20telescope_zpsjf0lokcb.jpg This was as close as I could get, since you can't have cellphones, ipads, cordless phontes, remote control toys, or anything else that sends out radio waves near the telescope http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/radio%20telescope_zpsxcprhvxk.jpg It's an interesting place to tour and spend some time. We spent the night at a resort in Snowshoe, WV. There is a village adjacent to where we stayed, and we all dined and drank the night away. From the resort room: http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/room%20view%202%20snowshoe_zpsfqbsiapg.jpg The mountain roads to and from Snowshoe are great fun. On the morning of day 3 of the rally, drivers huddled in the cold to await the final day's route card. http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/huddled%20in%20lot_zpsapkrnjxj.jpg http://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af208/trentrbrts/2016%20OhioValley%20Rally/cars%20in%20lot_zps76q6y1rq.jpg Our checkpoints included waterfalls, civil war battlesites, the Mothman Museum in Point Pleasant, WV, and some great southern Ohio roads. We finished in Athens, Ohio on a warm summer-like afternoon and enjoyed friends and awards at the final banquet. Edited October 13, 2016 by Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc1647545523 Posted October 12, 2016 Author Report Share Posted October 12, 2016 (edited) The crew from Car Stuff (videos/blogs/podcasts) competed as a rookie team in this rally and performed not too bad. They are producing the official video of the event, and I'll post it here when they finish it. They also are doing a two-part podcast of their experiences. This first episode is 47 minutes: http://www.carstuffshow.com/podcasts/team-carstuff-ohio-valley-700-part-1.htm The second part is 35 minutes: http://www.carstuffshow.com/podcasts/team-carstuff-ohio-valley-700-part-2.htm I would recommend it if you want to get the feel of a small rally and the challenges it presents. It's been my honor to be a small part of Rally North America. Since 2009 this close-knit group of teams has raised over 650,000 dollars for specially-chosen charities. The group was founded by Tony Intrieri and CR's own Scott Spielman. In the first year of the nationwide rally (Route 66), the three rookie CR teams swept three of the top four national awards, and subsequent CR teams have made solid showings since. If you have an interest in participating in rallies, feel free to contact me or the many other CR members who have been involved at some point. Edited October 19, 2016 by Doc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffro Posted October 13, 2016 Report Share Posted October 13, 2016 Cool as always Doc. I spent a week at snowshoe 2 winters ago. Great skiing there in the colder months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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