Sno*Fall TSD Rally

[GodSquadMandrake]

http://www.arrowheadscc.org/wrs2006/index.htm

December 10th for those of you who are interested. Bring a tow strap and your best winter tires.

[SmokingTires]

What are the requirements for TSD rallys? I have a rusty old Rolla I wouldn't mind running.

[Mark Holden]

http://www.arrowheadscc.org/wrs2005/wrsgi05.htm

That's last year's, but I don't think anything has changed.

Requirements - The following items will be checked at inspection:



Headlights (high and low beams)
Taillights and brake lights
Turn signals
Windshield wipers
Tires (must have good tread, recommend 4 snows)


Spare Tire (full size recommended)
Jack & tire changing tools
Seat belts (original equipment OK)
Warning triangle
Tow strap
Classes



A (Unlimited) - No limit is placed on the equipment permissible for use. If either team member has 25 SCCA lifetime rally points, the team must compete in this class. Teams using devices which perform both measurement and computation (i.e. rally computers) must compete in this class.
B (Equipped) - Measurement by any device other than stock odo. Any computational device is allowed, provided it does not have a direct interface with the measurement device. GPS receivers may be used in this class.
C (Unequipped) - Stock odometer(s) in stock location(s) with a non-varying drive. Any four-function calculator with a single memory is allowed. Curta mechanical calculators, hand-held computers and GPS receivers are not allowed in this class.
D (Novice) - Neither team member has competed in more than five rallies. Class C equipment must be used.
Classes may be combined if there are three or fewer entrants in a class.
Event organizers may offer additional classes.
I'm hoping to be there, but I might be in Chicago.

[SmokingTires]

WOO HOO! Novice!!! I can rock out my Rusty Corolla :D

[GodSquadMandrake]

Yeah the requirements are very relaxed, but the TSD itself is pretty intense. It takes serious teamwork between the driver and navigator. It can become frustrating quickly if you don't know what your doing. Great practice for a rally, or team building, or Husband-Wife relationship building. Fun for the whole family!

[miata#37]

Mark,
Can you give us an idea of what to expect in one of these TSD rallies? Sample target speeds, wear and tear potential, etc. Are we running on logging trails like they do at the Ojibwe Forest Rally? How hard core of an event are they?

-Chris
miata#37

[SmokingTires]

Mark,
Can you give us an idea of what to expect in one of these TSD rallies? Sample target speeds, wear and tear potential, etc. Are we running on logging trails like they do at the Ojibwe Forest Rally? How hard core of an event are they?

-Chris
miata#37

If I remember right, you don't break speed limits ever. It's nothing like OFPR. Some off road, but no car killers obviously (if they have a class for fully unpreped cars). A lot of them run on all public streets, however some are all offroad. I don't know about this one personally. But it should be fun :)

-Mike

[Mark Holden]

Well, I've never done a TSD, so I can't say for sure.

They have said that the roads, barring weather, are passable by any stock vehicle.

Arguably that could be said for most of the roads that the Ojibwe Forests Rally uses. There's pretty much no road in the forests we use that can't be driven on by street cars (unless they're lowered). After all, we have to get marshals in and out. At race speeds though, it's another matter.

As for the speeds, consider that the speed limit in MN on unposted rural roads is 55mph. Very few actual rally cars average 55mph or over on the stages we use. TSD speeds are legal, but that doesn't mean slow or easy.

[GodSquadMandrake]

I did four of them last year. The driving is easy as long as you know Minnesota winters. There are basic hazards like deer, hunters, snow mobiles, 4 wheelers, ice slicks, widely over plowed roads (ditch hooking), etc. I got caught by the ditch hook twice last year.

The most difficult part is the navigation, and it is very difficult at first. You should arrive extra early with your navigator and talk with some of the participants and learn how to do the navigation. If you can't get the CAST, time and distance down it won't be fun. You need paper, a calculater, pens, and preferably a head mounted flashlight.

You will get stuck in a snowbank most likely so bring a shovel, tow straps, warning triangle, and some large clevis's. There is a designated puller-outter truck so they'll do the rest.

The roads are a little rough. The only ones you REALLY need to watch out for are the Minimum Maintanence Roads. They aren't maintained by the city hardly at all and they especially aren't plowed. Don't expect them to clear trees etc either. These roads are clearly marked and your route book should outline any dangers. Yes we do run logging roads, those aren't too bad, just a little wash boarded. The event wears on your car more than autocross because you drive for 6-8 hours. Fun times though!

[Mark Holden]

The most difficult part is the navigation, and it is very difficult at first. You should arrive extra early with your navigator and talk with some of the participants and learn how to do the navigation. If you can't get the CAST, time and distance down it won't be fun. You need paper, a calculater, pens, and preferably a head mounted flashlight.

Yes, I'm hoping to snare an experienced co-driver. He hasn't gotten back to me yet though. Via stage rally, I'm already used to driving to a set of tulips called byu a navigator, and my car is set up for a rally ODO (and other stuff, should we wish to go into the A class).

[weidnerpaul]

"Turn left right here"

is NOT good directions...

I may have to check this out this winter, anyone need a navigator?

[GodSquadMandrake]

Yes, I'm hoping to snare an experienced co-driver. He hasn't gotten back to me yet though. Via stage rally, I'm already used to driving to a set of tulips called byu a navigator, and my car is set up for a rally ODO (and other stuff, should we wish to go into the A class).

Yeah if you've done stage rally your an expert at this. These are like small stage rallies. My ODO is off by like %7.5. We just put that into our calculations so we're still exact. Either way the basic thing you need to know is WHEN you cross the finish line for that stage. If you are more then 2 seconds early or late you get points added on. A 4 second window is really not that difficult to hit as long as you know your Time, Speed and Distance.

Yeah "Turn right here" is not good. The driver has to know landmark's, distance to turn, road names, and if it's a hard turn or not. I kept on missing turns last time because my navigator would be like "Ok your going to turn on 21st" Then I would blow by it too fast for the turn, turn the wrong direction, or turn onto the wrong street.

Oh I am so excited!

[Protege Menac]

Experienced co-driver checking in :D

I might be in the cities during one of these events. Lemme know if you need help.

-John

[Mark Holden]

John,

If Breon doesn't get back to me or he can't do it, I'll get in touch with you for sure!

If I end up going with Breon, someone else should take advantage of your services. I hear good things from the driver's you've navigated for.

-Mark

Experienced co-driver checking in :D

I might be in the cities during one of these events. Lemme know if you need help.

-John

[DCM]

On December 10th
Conflict! :flame:

[SmokingTires]

On December 10th
Conflict! :flame:

Although I am very dedicated to the club, I may have to miss the rules meeting for some good ol' racing :D

[jclemen]

I had the snows mounted on Friday. Now if I could only get my hands on an orange triangle...

Jeff
#42

[Protege Menac]

I have a few triangles I can sell for a few bucks. The ballasts are already emptied.



John,

If Breon doesn't get back to me or he can't do it, I'll get in touch with you for sure!

If I end up going with Breon, someone else should take advantage of your services. I hear good things from the driver's you've navigated for.

-Mark



sweet :D

I haven't had a time penalty of my fault since LSPR last year (my 2nd event). hell, I only got lost in the stage notes ONCE at this years LSPR on the very last stage cuz adam was BLASTING through the stages to win 3rd overall :o

Right now I am trying to convince wray to let me DRIVE the 2nd day of the paris rally :D hes hesitant though :(

[SmokingTires]

Experienced co-driver checking in :D

I might be in the cities during one of these events. Lemme know if you need help.

-John

I'm game if you want to co-drive for a semi-experienced driver, but new to longer rallys (I have run rally-cross and ice racing). :)

[Protege Menac]

If im around the cities and mike doesnt need a co, I'd be glad to show you the ropes.

Lately I've become the newbie helper. I've co-driven for 4 people on their first events, so i'm used to it ;)