Almost that time again. If you would like to attend or work this event check out this link: http://sandblastrally.com/2008/worker-whats-new.php. Anybody working the event will be reimbursed for travel and lodging. I believe last year if you had four in your car and four in your hotel room the event was free. The event is taking place Feb. 9th in Cheraw, S.C. This is a really fun event. Last year was the first year they ran the big rally bikes and it was amazing. I will be working the event and have room in my car for a few people. My normal co-worker decided to be work pit crew for another rally team. If you are interested let me know and we will have to get in the worker registrations. Driving the stage is probably the most fun Caravan Clemsonscooby's car: Staying at Days Inn Myself CoolRex (stages only) Seth (CSCC) Russ (AX co-driver) 420's car: 420 *removed myself - Ped* Hotels Days Inn - 820 Market Street, Cheraw - (843) 537-5554 Econo Lodge - 710 Market Street, Cheraw - (843) 537-2101 Inn Cheraw - 321 2nd St, Cheraw - (843) 537-2011 Jameson Inn - 885 Chesterfield Highway - (843) 537-5625
People with more worker experience can run entire stages! My plan is probably to stick with finish control since its easy and fun. The flying finish is always fun to watch. They need Ham radio operators at each stage. They also need start control and marshals. As far as media goes, you just apply for a pass and it gives you complete access to the event. I don't know if they need them, but a lot of people do it for profit.
Guys this is a freaking awesome event. If you can get the time off to go, it's well worth it. I'd like to get a caravan going to get up there. I know that several people have expressed interest in this. We'll need to book hotel rooms sometime soon as they fill up rather quickly (and there's a limited number of places to stay).
Definitely cold. Also, if you are running coilovers, you may get stuck... After the stages have been driven and you are exiting from your worker station, you have to drive through ruts pretty fast to plow through them. Its super fun. I can probably take 1-2 people in my car if anyone needs a ride. You can drop your car off at my place to car pool. I live in Clemson, so its basically on the way.
Ooh, count me in. I just asked pEd if he knew when this was the other day. I plan to work the event. I will have room in my car and hotel room for people as well.
Also, if you are afraid of injuring your car this is probably not the best place to take it. Last year I had just gone to stage 2 before the event on my original clutch and fried it because of the extra power to get through the sand. My entire engine bay was covered in mud and sand also if you like your underhood to be pretty. Otherwise is a rush driving through the stages at close to 60mph to get to your worker assignment. The sand is normally pretty forgiving.
Lets update the OP so we can start a list of who plans on going. We can also figure out carpool/caravan and hotel from there. I want to drive because I want to take my car on the course.
Hey clemsonscooby I'll be there most likely. Can I ride in your car with ya? Mine in no way is gonna be in the event....waaaay too low.
Yeah, you will just have to drive to the event, because you are on the opposite side of Cheraw than me. So we can just leave together in the morning. Just make sure when you are filling out the worker registration that you add my name (Tom Caldwell) to who you would like to work with. Otherwise, we would get put in different stages with different groups of people.
I would definitely have all registration and assistantships turned in by the end of next week. There is a lot of organization that needs to be done by Anders Green and his staff, so this will help them greatly.
420, if you have extra room would you mind having a person or persons from the clemson sports car club join you? Also, were you guys planning on coming to my place to caravan or would you be taking a different route? I have room for one more person in my car for the ride there, and two more people for the stages.
Sure, I still have room for 2. Haven't decided anything on the Caravan. If you are in route, I would assume all from the ATL area would caravan to your area, and then continue to the event. If you are not in route, then probably just caravan from ATL to the event.
You can take I20 from Atl to SC1 or go up I85 to SC9. I don't know which is faster, but if you take the I85 route it goes past Clemson. We aren't getting a huge interest from Clemson, so the caravan may not even matter. Also, we are planning on leaving early afternoon on Friday if that is feasible.
I requested off work on Friday, so I can leave at any time. Will talk to pEd over the next few days and figure out details. Will keep you informed.
Is there something going on sat night or does the event just run late thus necessitating a hotel stay? I am thinking of coming but want to know how much the weekend to plan on dedicating to it I missed the last one and want to make this one.
No not necessarily. IIRC, Robert (AxleJohnson) drove up the day of the rally last year and drove back that same night. The rally runs until it's at least dark, and is pretty much a all-day event. Staying the night somewhere just ensures you have someone to drink with and wake up refreshed enough to drive back.
Im interested in going up too. Any idea how much it is to spectate? Id like to run the stage as well so does that require I work?
Being a spectator I believe is free. I would double check the website, but I am almost sure. The reason most people stay over night is to get drunk with the rally drivers. There is a free dinner at the awards ceremony for those that worked, but everyone else is still invited.
To spectate, they want $5. I'm not quite sure how they enforce that, but it's only $5, so make sure to pay it if you're only going to spectate. To run the stage, which really only means that you get to drive the stage before they run (to get to your work post) and to leave your work post, you'll need to volunteer. Leaving is definately the fun part, because the sand is all loosened up and pretty deep. For the most part, the work is basically sitting and watching the cars come by and making sure that no "unauthorized party" gets on the course.
Probably 20-40's depending on the time of day. The first and last stages are obviously the coldest. Three years ago, we got rained on when it was like in the 20's. There is a spectator chief that will collect the money when you arrive at the official spectator areas.
The event schedule will not load on their site (404 error..some one misnamed something). Is there anything I'll miss on Friday if i can not get off work and won't be able to leave till 4pm? Same with sunday, anything going on or just people waking up and leaving on their own time?
No, this event is really only on Saturday. You need to be there Friday night, if you volunteer, so you can be at the volunteer meeting. Sunday isn't needed at all, it's more of a pack up and sleep day. Those that volunteer will be waking up very early to get to their work stations. You will be out there from sun up to sun down.
With the weather like it's been lately I wouldn't be surprised if its in the 50's-60's this year but we still have another month to go.
I am not sure, I haven't considered working, but it might be fun to work it. I will have to look into working it today. Is anyone else going to work?
I am working / riding with clemsonscooby. If you are working you need to get your paperwork in by Friday as Anders has a ton to do sorting and organizing.
We are staying at the Days Inn. We have room for one extra person at the hotel. I also can take one more person in my car for the event and the ride to Cheraw if you don't want to drive your car.
I sent mine in last week and got no reply. Also sent Anders an email yesterday asking to verify that he got my registration and still no reply. Any way to verify?
Anders will eventualy get aroudn to verifying, he's just busy. And they always need workers so it's no big deal to show up without registration. I'll be heading up from the Savannah area, probably leaving Thursday afternoon/evening unless I end up working.
Just got my confirmation from Anders. I'll see you in Feb Tom. Let me know how we will meet up and get together at the event.
We are booked to stay at the Days Inn. We should have one more spot left in our room if you need a place to stay. Its two queen beds, so we may have to snuggle, or someone is sleeping on the floor. This will make it so we get the maximum amount back for lodging assistance.
I'll take that spot but I will sleep on the floor. I toss and turn a lot so I don't want inconvienence anyone and I have an air mattress I can bring. Now I just have to explain to the wife that I'll be gone all weekend...hnoes:
I hope you got a really good bag, something like 850fill down. It gets cold as hell there and windy. I wouldn't recommend camping, but its up to you.