Doc's recap of the 2017 Rally Appalachia 2

[Doc1647545523]

Last weekend I returned from Rally Appalachia 2, the 2017 Rally North America event. This year I was the only team from CR competing. My co-driver was Charlie, a buddy of mine of nearly 40 years and a retired Marine colonel. We made up Team Bentley.

 

Rally North America was started in 2009 by a dozen or so rally fans who were unable to attend a national rally. Among that original group was CR member Scott Speilman. In the eight years since its founding, Rally North America has grown to an organization staging two large annual events and has to date raised over 750,000 dollars for selected charities. Scott is recognized as the co-founder of the Rally and continues as co-director, along with Tony Interieri.

 

This year's charity was Hope for the Warriors, an organization committed to help combat-wounded veterans and their families. The 72 teams competing this year raised over $150,000 which went directly to the charity.

 

The rally is a time-limited, checkpoint-based road rally along the lines of a scavenger hunt. It requires teamwork, strategy, navigation, driving experience and internet skills (plus a lot of luck) to successfully complete. CR teams have a strong tradition of podium finishes ever since we began competing in 2010.

 

Cars are required to wear livery identifying their team number, Rally, and the major Rally sponsors. A little bit of everything got entered this year:

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Lotus%20Evora_zpsk9d8g7fw.jpg

(This and all other night photos are by Aerial Automotive in Sarasota, FL)

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Lotus_zpsp2dva8gx.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/old%20school%20Camaro_zpsuraj6smp.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Suburban_zpsr4kxyde6.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Goldrush%20Camaro_zpsl5oh46to.jpg

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/top%20two%20line%20up_zpsfbghj5rm.jpg

 

Mercedes was well-represented:

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/C43%20AMG_zpsvaklsali.jpg

 

even a 2017

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/new%20Benz_zpsug1ufdid.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/black%20C7_zpspwqk0xxe.jpg

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Focus%20ST_zpstksemkjf.jpg

 

Some graphics were mind-boggling:

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/camy%20wrap_zpsqtqywe55.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/audio%20team_zps8gqwrzoh.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/RWB%20stang_zpsta4aol3q.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Miser%20Mustang%201_zpsb4uauhzv.jpg

 

closeup of the hood shows the individual donors:

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Miser%20Mustang%202_zpsxpijjao0.jpg

Edited July 28, 2017 by Doc

[Doc1647545523]

A little Skyline action:

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Skyline_zpsbwmsyc2x.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Team%20Stangy_zpsmwscmton.jpg

 

Top money-raiser Bob Blanton with his Challenger

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Blanton%20and%20Challenger_zpsjsmvt1wg.jpg

 

And we had our share of funny plates:

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/SS%20LOL%20Stang_zpsbvtzhj3g.jpg

 

On Monday there was a pre-rally drivers meeting with a charity auction to raise more money for Hope For the Warriors.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/drivers%20meeting_zpsjcsdqneb.jpg

 

The charity sent its community engagement director to speak to our group, but most notably there were two families who had been helped by Hope for the Warriors. A couple who lost their daughter to suicide after two deployments spoke of the help and support they had been given. A single mother whose son was targeted by a Taliban sniper brought her younger son, and they both shared their experiences. I think it's safe to say that there wasn't a dry eye in the room when they finished speaking. It was very kewl that they took us up on our invitation to travel with us for part of the Rally. As it happened, the younger brother was a big Bentley fan and asked if he could photograph my car. He also beamed when we took photos on his cell phone of him sitting behind the wheel.

 

Tuesday morning we staged in Christiansburg, Virginia. They closed the downtown for us and the city officials thanked us and wished us well in our journeys.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Mayor%20speaking_zpswv1e6bcq.jpg

 

72 cars can clog a downtown (next 2 photos are taken from opposite directions from the town square)

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/lining%20up%20in%20VA_zpsddgqs7nm.jpg

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/cars%20lining%20up_zpsviizcxpp.jpg

 

 

 

Mayor Michael Barber exercised his mayoral prerogative and tried out the big green beast

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/mayor%20in%20Chirstianburg_zpsiffz345v.jpg

 

We were off to the first checkpoint of the Rally, which was especially fun for me. We were told we had to find a car dealership that had TONS of a rare little car that had made its Rally North America debut last year on the Big Sky Rally. The photo clue for us was a Figaro.

 

Of course I knew that the dealer was Duncan Imports, so Team Bentley had a bit of an advantage getting to that checkpoint. I knew the dealer from their online reputation but had never been there myself. Needless to say, it was my kind of place ...

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Figaro%201_zpstofga5e3.jpg

 

I thought I was in Figaro heaven!

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Figaro%202_zps6kbueo47.jpg

 

Buildings full of the rare and/or unobtainable: American muscle, import, classics ...

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/classics_zpsxf8oigbq.jpg

 

Did I mention they had Toyota Centuries?

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Centuries_zpsqc1uqvvk.jpg

Edited July 25, 2017 by Doc

[Doc1647545523]

And so we were off from there hunting for a dozen other checkpoints. First, it was northwards to Bramwell, West Virginia, a terrific little town of "millionaires in the middle of coal fields" (and some great roads along the Bluestone River Valley as well).

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Bramwell%20Home_zpsdepcyxk1.jpg

 

We enjoyed a great lunch at the Bramwell Corner Shop, which seemed to be caught in a decade long past

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/ice%20cream%20store_zpse6ixhoom.jpg

 

and enjoyed the soda fountain, complete with soda jerks

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/ice%20cream%20store%202_zpsdm7gxgkj.jpg

something that many in our group had never seen

 

Then, after hitting peaks, covered bridges and waterfalls, we were sent to find a Mayan Temple. Last I heard, the Chichen Itza was still in the Yucatan, so we needed to find something a bit closer. Fortunately, the little town of Marion, Virginia, has one of the three Art Deco Mayan Revival theatres in the world, and it's an architectural gem:

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/theatre%20hall_zpsgozyqrup.jpg

 

Build in 1929 just before the great Depression, the interior of the Lincoln Theatre was designed to look like a Mayan temple, but with six huge murals depicting scenes from local history

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/theatre%20ceiling_zpsegndatsl.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/theatre%20stage_zpsnsqxiwwk.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/theatre%20mural%202_zpsfukxntty.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/theatre%20mural%201_zpsqu0otpje.jpg

 

Even the HVAC grilles pick up the theme

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/theatre%20vent_zpskqqxtjd0.jpg

 

The Rally arranged to have local volunteers familiar with the history of the place there to take us on a tour. This is just one example of how, when you travel with Rally North America, you don't go to the Zoo and a Clippers game. Instead, you're going to get outside your comfort zone, off the beaten track, and visit obscure and unique places.

 

After some more twisty roads, we reached that day's destination, Virginia International Raceway.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/cars%20on%20track%20at%20VIR_zps9cvllzan.jpg

 

We did paced laps then were turned loose for hot laps, trying to keep in mind that our cars needed to complete the Rally and still get us home at the week's end.

 

We stayed at VIR that night. Team Bentley got a room in the North Paddock with a great view of the track

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/VIR%20paddock%20balcony%201_zpsc7uildbl.jpg

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/VIR%20paddock%20balcony%202_zpsq9mp3d7f.jpg

 

and our own private garage below

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/paddock%20garage_zpsi3cggfwx.jpg

Edited July 24, 2017 by Doc

[Doc1647545523]

Day 2 of the Rally (Wednesday) had us vacating VIR because of some undercover testing Ford had rented the track for. More checkpoints for the morning, then off on the Blue Ridge Parkway

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Blue%20Ridge%20view_zpswdlvaf2d.jpg

 

and then on to the Biltmore House in Asheville, North Carolina. It is America's largest private residence with 179,000 square feet (that's four acres of floor space ) 250 rooms, and 43 bathrooms.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/biltmore%20exterior_zpsiu8rbnff.jpg

(photo from Biltmore website)

 

We got a big discount on the tour, but it would have been worth 10 times the price. I'll leave you to research the place, but here are just a few of my photos from the tour:

 

The four story spiral stone staircase:

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/spiral%20stairway_zpsxcjhtyv6.jpg

 

The indoor garden on the first floor:

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/winter%20garden%202_zpsjtrykldu.jpg

 

ceiling of the indoor garden

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/winter%20garden_zps9jmuou6q.jpg

 

parts of the library

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/library_zpspjikhxqc.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/libary%20fireplace_zps7nmgz8nf.jpg

 

"intimate" family dining

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/dining%20area_zpsglfy04ur.jpg

 

cabinet work, masonry, tile work ....... everything of the highest order

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/cabinet%20work_zpseybcitaj.jpg

 

look closely at the fireplaces and you will get some idea of the scale of these rooms

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/IMG_20170712_151519_zpsvhv4nuwu.jpg

 

billiards anyone?

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/billiard%20room_zpsvre6tlsg.jpg

 

perhaps some bowling?

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/bowling%20alley_zps4mt2ahqd.jpg

 

the Promenade outside the second floor bedrooms, and the view from there

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Promenade_zpsttjznoc4.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/view%20from%20Promenade_zpsuxdjb6dr.jpg

 

The original estate was a vast 125,000 acres, or 195 square miles. The current estate is around 8,000 acres, much of which is managed forest, park and gardens. George Vanderbilt, who had this home built for himself and his family, employed 2,000 people to work at the House and the estate.

 

After the Biltmore tour, we headed to The Waynesville Inn Golf Resort and Spa for the night. The rooms there were much smaller.

Edited July 25, 2017 by Doc

[Doc1647545523]

Day 3 (Thursday) had us heading off from Waynesville, North Carolina, doing our usual staging in the downtown and schmoozing with the local officials

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Bentley%20at%20start%20with%20Charlie_zps1msjnipk.jpg

 

We would be sent through North Carolina and Tennessee to find TVA dams built in the 1930's and 1940's

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/dam_zpsujuznguw.jpg

 

these were interesting to explore, and the roads to and from were great

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/dam%202_zpsw0qmaqnt.jpg

 

along the rivers and lakefronts

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/island%20in%20lake_zpsabiavkxn.jpg

 

but then our checkpoints put us all over the Tail of the Dragon, Deal's Gap, the Back of the Dragon, and many of the legendary biker/sport car roads of the area. Suffice it to say that although we shared the driving on these famous roads, the colonel seemed to enjoy the roads somewhat less than I did.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Charlie%20on%20the%20Tail_zpsbpjv9b8j.jpg

 

We finished the day along the Cherohala Skyway and then on to Rome, Georgia, where the downtown was closed off for our parking around the Rome City Brewing Company,

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Rome%20City%20Brewing_zpsdvt7jzvz.jpg

a watering hole where many a story was told of the driving that day.

 

That night we were put up at the Hawthorne Suites, a converted warehouse that was very attractive and comfortable.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/30838_atrium_1_zpsiook6hs3.jpg

Edited July 25, 2017 by Doc

[Doc1647545523]

Day 4 of the Rally was Talladega all day! We had about an hour of travel from Rome, Georgia to Talladega, Alabama. We continued to have the hot, clear weather we had enjoyed for the whole Rally and of course a state police escort, inevitable when 72 "racecars" take to the roads.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Talladegga%20gate_zps9jq8pmas.jpg

 

I had driven Talladega before, but this time there was very little lecture/instruction and a lot more driving for Charlie and me.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/waiting%20to%20start%20paced%20laps_zpshrzxzh6k.jpg

 

It was still a big thrill coming up onto the sides of the track, and it's hard to prepare yourself for just how wrong it feels the first time, even with the laps paced and limited to about 120 mph.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Talladega%20banking_zpsi9boj4xb.jpg

 

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/Skyline%20fireball%20Talladega_zpsy52ez2d3.jpg

(Rally North America photo)

 

After Talladega some went karting, but most of us headed back to the hotel in Rome. I suspect a few kraft brews were drunk and I know that a dessert or two was eaten.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/sundae_zpsuzsyvori.jpg

 

 

 

I'm all unpacked, the stickers are off the car, and I'm settling back into my usual routine. But for a week in July 2017, I drove some of the greatest roads in the U.S., flew around some great tracks, explored obscure places, and discovered hidden treasure. The drivers in Rally North America are cheered as if we were heroes ourselves, interviewed on TV, our cars on the front pages of the local papers. But we know we were just lucky to have a part in raising money for a charity that helps real heroes and their families.

http://i355.photobucket.com/albums/r445/martyr65/2017%20Rally%20Appalachia%202/headlines_zpspy0j1ums.jpg

 

Many thanks to CR for their support and a special thanks to the donors who helped Team Bentley raise over $5,000 for Hope for the Warriors:

 

WheelMedic, coleyounger3, tdyguy2k, Zx2guy19, AngryBMW, Coaster, iwashmycar, 2highpsi, clone, caseyctsv, Farkas, 99stockGT, DTA09, CSTMG8

Edited July 28, 2017 by Doc

[jerrodh]

This space for sale.

[iwashmycar]

In

[Coaster]

Looks like you had a blast.

 

We'll be back in it next year.

[Doc1647545523]

You and Nikki were missed. Behind Big Sky, it was my most enjoyable rally.

[DKilbourne]

That looks awesome

[SpaceGhost]

I need to do this one year. Always looks so awesome.

[Otis Nice]

Looks like an amazing trip. The sights, vehicles, locations...awesome.

 

And I know I'm in the minority but I looked at the Suburban longer than any other vehicle I think. lol

[KillJoy]

WOW!!!! Very nice trip!!!! Those storage buildings!!!!

 

:thumbup:

 

KillJoy

[SRTurbo04]

Soo many figuro ans centurys!

[zeitgeist57]

Awesome recap and beautiful pics, Doc! I'd try to get my wife to join me on a rally if I knew that these were some of the sights and destinations...really cool stuff.

 

Agreed, that's a crazy amount of Doc cars in that warehouse!

[Coaster]

The sights and the stops are always amazing. Tony and Scott put in a huge effort every time to make it great.

 

For everyone thinking "I need to do this sometime":

 

1. You can't wait till the last minute.

2. Start planning now. Next year will be Pueblo, CO to San Francisco, no dates announced but probably mid July.

3. Doc or I will post when registration is going to open for non-rally veterans, be online and ready when the clock ticks over.

4. Prepare to be addicted.

[iwashmycar]

Amazing pics!

[wagner]

Two of our magazines will be running a story on this July 27th, FordMuscle and FordNXT.

[Rally Pat]

I need a better car, then I will be taking part for sure.

[Mojoe]

Tony and Scott are two great guys that organize this rally. Doc, they and we, are lucky to have you as a veteran to share your tail each year. Thank you for all you do, and the time to put your trip into words and pictures.

[Doc1647545523]

Two of our magazines will be running a story on this July 27th, FordMuscle and FordNXT.

 

Here is a link to the FordNXT article by Jeff Southard https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fordnxt.com%2Fevent-coverage%2Fmustangs-stampede-south-at-rally-appalachia-2%2F&h=ATPe2NSCDxeUnS5pwbo1l9u2vSgnfNntSB6OFYjL9frJlY37fdHhzfYXfaQo9wdOvNzFk47WNSsz_8x6-USyU8ALpkXaUa7Qmu5PwII1nMob2JHKj7ZxVI0oy2J_Yd-yfrL35QSeEWvxmdgFk0uVm2MkFKyaFgK5CLiBG4jCLNJIkHgZrL9BX15ziC4iWOHkwimtfXB1SkoDh6iEEWkKhlE8A9bGn7_taX7IJIenoBL5G7RsbmTaxaGD-LHJ-o0idpcRsVcIwVD-7V9uaFOjDl4XWjuKRmxoCDM732rqcdqD

 

and photos that are much better than mine: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fordnxt.com%2Fphotos%2Fevent-coverage%2Fmustangs-stampede-south-at-rally-appalachia-2%2F&h=ATNq001rv1i59UvQV7fxyqVk030dvL4oL2AHHQb1c3-cOukitltY3_-xogAVNAlU7iJaAgMY-WeJSu7Mjna8kTCDfG_izLoDZ58NfkLC0jondKVb9RRgxdjahh6jqBLla8OHmKvex1y_2cFlk8jeuFvbqUlmKB-jtUTldR8BaMaSaXRJBh-KLcizfx6cYbp-HK3GgRkCa8m5LN2Yf9lbVVeh5G1S1iIVS4qhDdAYMKxd_6D7kxdZiMBQjm1kfGoiR8XMdAd2LOPPFQFSF3h6yVLxUZwx1yxlaOb51SyOXWwN

 

It's looks as though Ford Muscle ran the same thing. It's true that the Mustangs seem to have taken over the event, which isn't a bad thing. CJ Pony Parts is the major corporate sponsor and they also sponsor a team each year.

 

It's not like Figaros will ever have a major competitive presence in the Rally.

[Doc1647545523]

Car Stuff's newest podcast devoted the first five minutes or so to this rally and to the experience of driving at Talladega with us.

 

http://www.carstuffshow.com/podcasts/100-best-and-worst-cities-to-drive-in.htm

[Grudes]

Great pics Doc. Looks like it was alot of fun and you got to go see some cool places. I love small towns like Christiansburg, Virginia.