If you want to be the next Travis Pastrana, but didn't happen to find his wallet or car keys at the X-Games, RallyCross is a much less expensive, fun and fairly safe, way to build your car control skills in the dirt. I enjoy the low key nature of our local events and I love watching other drivers display their driving skills. I'm often left wondering, "How did he do that?" A RallyCross is similar to an AutoCross or Solo event, cars are timed through a twisty course made up of cones. But instead of being run on asphalt, in RallyCross we do it in the dirt! One at a time . Courses are designed so that speeds should not exceed 40 mph. Another difference is in most Solo events your fastest time of the day is your score. In RallyCross competitors are scored on the total of multiple runs. RallyCross classes are tailored according to number of driven wheels, engine capability and the style of tires mounted. Many stage rally competitors use RallyCross as a way to shake down their race cars, so there's a good chance of seeing some interesting cars and trucks making noise and spraying gravel. I've seen everything from a 4wd S-10 Rally Truck (photo not from Corcoran but he raced there last year) a rally prepared Dodge Omni (aka "noisey cricket") Fully caged ice racers, and of course, Subarus. The fastest car at last year's Corcoran event was stock Audi seen below. Many events are run in farm fields but at least one event during the year is run on a gravel parking lot at the Hennepin Count Fair Grounds in Corcoran, MN (the West Suburbs). Most RallyCross is fairly safe for your car, with an occassional popped tire bead. But, as with all racing, if you can't afford to break it, don't race it. Pictures from Corcoran RallyCross 2006. Brent, this year's Corcoran Rally Master, showing how it's done. Cocoran is a very good first RallyCross. Brent is very fast in his Audi. Here he is at the Cannon Falls RallyCross site. Aerial view of Cannon Falls RallyCross site Uh, you'll probably need a car wash when your done. But its only dirt! (Another shot from Cannon Falls) Come check out RallyCross. You won't be disappointed! Pictures thanks to Andrew Pickle at http://www.scca.com/Rally/RallyCross.asp?IdS=03A31-4D74AA0&x=040|020&~= and Carrie Carlson at http://www.dotphoto.com/GuestViewAlbum.asp?AID=4563343&Page=1
2008 Rally Cross Calender We are ready for a great new year of RallyCross with at least two new venues. 3/30/2008 Treadin Thin Ice, Cannon Falls, MN 4/27/2008 Tax Brake, Cannon Falls, MN 6/22/2008 June Bug, Cannon Falls, MN 7/20/2008 Dog Daze of Summer Corcoran Lions Park, MN 9/14/2008 Harvest Moon, Princeton, MN 9/14/2008 Oktoberfest, Cannon Falls, MN 11/1/2008 Dirty Jack o' Lantern, Elk River, MN Hope to see you all there! You can register for each event at the Rally-mn.com website http://rally-mn.com/rallyx/schedule.php Amy
