Anyone know of any professional rally races locally coming up? I am brand new to watching this sport, and am hooked.
yes, get out to rallymn may 20th and 21st - they need volunteers (which is the best way to see the action up close) http://rallyminnesota.com/#
Has anyone here volunteered as a Course or Spectator Marshall? I also have never been to a rally and i figure volunteering would be the best way to see it first hand. What can i expect other then what it says on the website? http://rallyminnesota.com/workers/worker-info/
course marshal is very, very easy. You'll caravan out to the stage and as you drive down the stage, people will park in their marshal location. Then you just sit back and watch the cars go by. If (rarely), someone comes down the intersection you're covering you tell them the road is closed for the rally. Then when you're done, you move to the next location or back to the hotel depending on how they've organized the marshals. (you might move around to several stages or you might be in that same spot if the stage is used multiple times).
I've done course marshaling and timing/controls. For course marshaling, you drive out on the stage before it goes hot, and are dropped off at a certain intersection where a trail or another road meets the course. You are there to stop anyone from accidentally getting onto the course while the rally cars are running. Some intersections are used twice by running the stage backwards or altering which road they use the second time around, as a different stage. And don't worry if you don't know how to setup for the next stage as zero cars come by to check that everything is in place before the competitors start. There's alot of just chilling in the woods broken up by some really awesome cars flying by, and you and the few you're working with having nobody to jostle with for the best view (and close views!). The first one I worked was like this and my friends and I had a blast! Got some really cool pics and vids! As for timing, it's a little more involved. You work either start or finish and record the start or finish times and get to interact a little with the competitors and see them launch off the line or come in on a flying finish! You work directly with other experienced workers that have a radio to keep in contact with Control. It's definitely fast paced and more responsibility. You won't be able to take pics really though, it's that busy.
Check out this sticky on volunteering for an overview of the different things to do as a volunteer at a stage rally, http://mnsubaru.com/forums/showthread.php/17532-Rally-Volunteering-The-Best-Seat-in-the-House . If you are interested in helping banner, we'll be doing some on Thursday mid day and again Friday moring. Amy
Come check out the cars at Rally Fest. We will be holding it May 18th at Morries Subaru in Minnetonka from 6:00 to 8:00. You will have a chance to see Lauchlin O'Sullivan and Ramana Lagemann's SP rally cars up close. Carl Siegler will be there with his Open class car and several NOS beverages. This will give you the chance to see the cars up close, meet the teams and talk to the organizers and plan your rally experience. Steve
