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Thanks to that good friend of rallying, Rapid Roo, we have a new website address,
www.ITNrally.org. It's a lot easier to remember. We should have some license plate frames with the logo soon.
Congratulations and many thanks to Ron Dunlop for a tremendous rally October 8. 22 cars signed up for RETURN TO SLEEPY HOLLOW and found a perfect example of a navigators' rally on drivers' roads. Ron brings such a sense of showmanship to his events that they are always incredibly enjoyable. This time was no exception. 10 demanding hours in maze after beautiful maze. Scores are up on the website. Click on "results" on the left toolbar. The complete rallymaster?s critique of the course will be up on the website this weekend.
Into the Night 2005, THE FAR HORIZON is only 4 weeks away. For our 20th anniversary of the ITN long rally , we have tried to put together something very unique and memorable. David B., Nathan H., I and my son, Ethan, have been working on what we hope will be a very scenic and challenging course. Start and Finish in Las Vegas will allow us to run most of the rally in the red rock country of southwestern Utah and still keep the event under 16 hours, 7am to 11pm. There will be Lunch and Dinner breaks at 6 and 12 hours into the event, plus an additional 3 short gas breaks, approximately every 3 hours, throughout the rally.
95 percent of these roads have never, ever been used on a Monte Carlo style rally, and may never be again. On the extremes, we have flat (out) desert 2 lanes, and a few miles here and there of serpentine climbs or drops. However, most of the event is on wide sweeping roads showcasing some exceptional highway engineering and natural topography, including slot canyons, mile high deserts, big Pine country, Aspen forests, alpine lakes, picturesque small towns, plus Bryce Canyon and Cedar Breaks. Did you know that there are miles and miles of 2 lane blacktop in Utah with speed limits of 65 or even 70 miles per hour? You will see why we call this event, THE FAR HORIZON.
Did we mention that premium gas in Utah is 93, 94, or, in a few cases, 96 octane? And those underground tanks in the high country keep the fuel nicely chilled, packing in more molecules per gallon. That, plus the cool November air, will make lots of horsepower. Prices encountered were similar to, or a few cents lower than, southern California.
In order to finalize arrangements for the awards brunch at the Palace Station in Vegas on Sunday, November 13, we need to get an accurate idea of who can make it. If you haven't already mailed the entry form on the website, please do so right away. Click on "events" on the toolbar. If you want to run, but haven't nailed down all your arrangements, reply to this email and let us know the state of your plans. You can pay the entry fee when you arrive in Vegas if necessary, but we need to know you're coming. This is especially important because we have decided to have the routes and maps delivered to each entry Tuesday or Wednesday before the rally, so that you won't be at too much of a disadvantage for arriving late in Vegas Friday night.
Checkout for the rally will be Saturday, October 29. If you'd like to work the event, or if you can't make it on the rally date, but would like to run the course anyway, the Checkout is basically a dress rehearsal, and will allow you to experience the rally, as well as learn how it's put together. If you would be by yourself, we can place you with an experienced ITN member to run the course if you like. This will also help you keep the costs down. Please reply to this email right now if you would like to run Checkout, or would like to work this rally.
We sincerely hope all of you can join us for THE FAR HORIZON. Our rallies during the year are intended to help you get ready to run the long event that concludes our season each year. The duration and distance of the long rally pay homage to the history and heritage of rallying. The roads are in what is, for almost all of us, uncharted territory, and they are very, very tasty. You do not want to miss this one. We promise you will not forget it.
See you at Standoff.
Joe
