About the rally

The August rally was about 100 miles from the start in Milwaukie to the ending location in Wilsonville. It took about four hours to complete.

The odometer calibration transit ended in King City. The rally route traveled west of Sherwood, along Mountain Top Road with spectacular views into the Chehalem Valley, then into Newberg for a break at Johnson’s Landing County Park on the Willamette River.

After break, the route crisscrossed through the Parrett Mountain/Ladd Hill area, with even more spectacular views, eventually ending in Wilsonville.

What the rallymasters said

About the rally

The July rally was about 90 miles from the start in Milwaukie to the ending location in Gresham. It took about three and a half hours to complete. The odometer calibration transit at the start of the rally traveled along a scenic route, following the Clackamas River. The odo check ended near Boring. Then through Bull Run, past Dodge Park and Oxbow Park, to Larch Mountain. A mid-rally break included a short visit to the Vista House at Crown Point, restarting in Corbett.

The rally ended at Flying Pie Pizzeria in Gresham.

Challenges

This rally included a “couple” of rally challenges; nothing exotic, mostly main road traps. The first involved an ONTO. You may recall there was a lake near Bull Run called Roslyn Lake. It is no longer there, but one of the roads that goes around it is Lusted Road.

For this first challenge, you are placed ONTO LUSTED. Then there are a couple of speed change instructions. No deviations, so you’re still on Lusted. Then you come to an intersection where there is a side road on the left. Straight ahead there is a back-facing stop sign. A big black-on-yellow arrow at the intersection points left, and the stripes in the road curve left. It all encourages you to just go left. But the road straight ahead is signed as Lusted Road and you are still ONTO LUSTED.

We saw only a couple teams follow the on course route straight on Lusted. An OR instruction offered a two- minute pause to the off course teams since the on course route was longer. Leg 7 scores reflect how this challenge worked out.

There was one more ONTO challenge, one protection, and two left at T challenges. Yes, L at T is still a challenge.

What the rallymasters said

On the day the rally was measured, the Bull Run Bridge just happened to be closed for maintenance. We measured up to the last reference prior to the closure, then drove about 45 minutes to get to the other side of the bridge to continue measuring.

Thank you to all who ran the rally. We had a great time watching everyone on the Rally-master Map and hearing about your adventures.

Congratulations to the winners. I hope you all enjoyed the event and saw some great views of the Gorge and Mt. Hood.

What rallyists said

[From Car #13] The rally was quite fun!!! Only problem we encountered was a group of antique vehicles that joined us (pretty much RIGHT in front of us) approaching the Bull Run Bridge ... and the going got really tough ...

I tried to calculate how much time we were losing and entered a time dec ... but overshot the goal ... Those really neat little buggies hung on for several miles ... it was painful!!! But beyond that ... a totally awesome day!!!

[From Car #12] We ended up in the middle of about a dozen vintage cars on a tour. The CAST was 33 and the vintage cars were doing 20 mph on the straight aways. We did two separate time decs but picked up points by not guessing very well. That’s just how it goes sometimes.

[From the Rallymaster’s parents in Car #1] That kid gets nothing for Christmas, making his parents get lost. [Had something to do with the instruction: S on 327TH.]

[From Car #20] We went astray [missed the S on 327TH] and peeled off for the day. It was fun while it lasted!

Congratulate the top finishers!

First overall and first in the SOP class is the team of Cody and Sabrina Garvin. Second overall and second in the SOP class is the team of David and JoAnn Gattman. Third overall and third SOP is the team of Torm Kelsey-Green and Kasey Klaus.

Finishing first in the Novice class is the team of Joel and Aksel Bristol. Second Novice is Mike and Cheryl Knight.  (Both of these teams were first-time ralliers last month.) Third Novice is Kevin Marino and Aspen Padilla.

Congratulations to all!

Click here for the complete rundown
Click here for Rally Results
Current Series Standings

The June rally was a bit over 100 miles from the start in Milwaukie to the ending location in Newberg, and it took just under 4 hours to complete the course, including a couple of scenic breaks. This event was lightly trapped, meaning it included a couple of simple navigational challenges.

Rally Challenges

Route Instruction 16 directed you ONTO Ladd Hill Road. ONTO is a Main Road Determinant. When directed ONTO a road, you stay on that road (by name) until you execute a deviation in a subsequent route instruction. The next two instructions were speed changes and did not contain deviations. Then Route Instruction 19 offered a deviation, however, the instruction contained the term ITIS – if there is such.

An instruction containing ITIS can be executed only if it can be completed before the next route instruction; if not, then you skip it.

At the first intersection where it looks like you could do it, the deviation (right in this case) goes the same direction as Ladd Hill Road. You cannot execute a deviation that takes you in the same direction as the main road. So you stay ONTO Ladd Hill Road and continue looking for an opportunity to execute NRI 19. However, NRI 20 comes up next, so you skip the NRI 19 ITIS instruction and its 15-second penalty pause.

NRI 36 set up a similar ONTO situation, directing you ONTO Bell Road, then offering an ITIS instruction that follows the ONTO. Again the correct action is to stay ONTO Bell Road and skip the ITIS instruction and its 15-second penalty.

The only other planned challenge was a note which directed you to reduce your current speed by 2 mph each time you saw a horse and rider sign. Although the note was in effect for over an hour of rally time, it occurred only once, just five minutes after it was introduced. The sign reappeared later in the rally course, but by then it had been cancelled.

There were two instructions where we saw a couple of teams unexpectedly go wandering.

The first was at  NRI 15 which directed you to go straight at a sign reading stop which parenthetically mentioned Grahams Ferry. Grahams Ferry is the crossroad at this all-way stop intersection of Bell Road and Grahams Ferry. A couple of teams went right (the right-most straight) on Grahams Ferry instead of staying on course by going straight to stay on Bell Road.

The other was at NRI 24 where at least two teams missed a left on Parrett Mountain Road. It was a little hard to see, but it had official mileage to mark its location. Just a smidge past this intersection was a sign identifying Parrett Mountain Road as a side road on the right, so folks who missed the prior left may have assumed this road on the left was Parrett Mountain. Off they went. Most teams stayed on the intended route, but those few who wandered were quickly retrieved and put back on course by the ever vigilant rally officials.

What the rallymasters said

By Cody and Sabrina Garvin

It was very exciting to put on our very first rally. It was a great learning experience to see firsthand how much work goes into creating a single rally. There is definitely lots to think about while creating one.

We wanted to share a lot of the beautiful roads in Yamhill County that we grew up on. Near the Anne Amie Winery sign referenced in NRI 50 is where Cody grew up.

We chose the name Double Down because a lot of the same road names reappeared. At the wrap up Zoom meeting, someone thought the name was Double Down because of the note instruction reducing CAST by 2 mph, which is also a great observation.

Watching all the rally contestants on the rallymaster map was super fun. There were two Fairview Drives towards the end of the rally. We thought for sure more people would turn too early, which is what we did during a pre-drive. It was also interesting to see where rally contestants created their own traps and went off course where we weren’t even anticipating that would happen.

We are so thrilled to hear that the rally was well received and enjoyed by all. All in all, it was a very fun experience mixed in with lots of hard work. We would like to give a special thanks to Monte and Victoria for helping us make the rally a polished experience with checkpoints and mileage references and all the computer stuff that goes into it. Thank you for all that you do each and every rally!

We look forward to possibly creating a rally next year. Until then, keep calm and rally on!

What rallyists said

From Car # 12 Navigator Kathy Sacry
Here is our June rally story.

We started fine, but in the third NRI we took off in the wrong direction. Two phone calls later with the rally masters and Victoria, Monte suggested we start over. 10:30 TA entered and we managed a 4 on the first checkpoint. Still things were not smooth, but we were doing okay. We had a “0” and another after the first transit. Maybe we were too cocky at that point because our downfall was imminent. Going 35 in a 45 zone with a tailgater threw us for a loop.

We missed a sign and didn't change to CAST 53 in time, checkpoint 40 late! By this time, we were singing “Que sera sera” - (old Doris Day song) which became our motto for this rally. We were at peace with whatever outcome may come.

We guessed wrong at a pause, another 27. Took a wrong side road, turned around, and timed it but again a wrong TA, 54! Oh well, just sing Que sera sera.

All in all, we are happy with our 4th place.

From Car #1 Navigator JoAnn Gattman
What a run. We lost a fire truck, then another fire truck. Passed a farmer going too slow, went too fast, missed a sign! Yikes! To do well, we will take it. Remind me not to need help in the Bell Road area! Had a nice drive and we are feeling pleased we won. Who knew that was possible with those time decs? Dave likes to keep us around 3s if we don't get zeros, so our couple of teen scores he was fretting. I'm only competitive with him so it really frosts his cake that I don't get upset when we get bigger scores. Like I said, I just like driving aimlessly around with the old man. It was a nice event and we got to see so many wineries, at least the entrances.

Had a nice chat with one of our novice couples. She was cute, figured if she has less points next month and doesn't actually pull off the road to take those pauses they will be winners next month. Dave gave them some pointers so hopefully they will be back. Nice to see how excited they get for finishing. Very cute to see the father/son team novices too. They had a good time and checked in at pizza to make sure he didn't need to do anything. Reminded me of when Dave started running with Marcus.

Anyway, wrote a book to say thanks for the good event. Garvins did well. Thanks for all the typing, writing and driving Victoria and Monte do to keep the club moving.

Congratulate the top finishers!

First overall and first in the SOP class is the team of David and JoAnn Gattman in Car #1 with a score of 103 over 18 scored legs. Second overall and second in the SOP class is the team of Russ and Kate Sherrell in Car #2 with a score of 133. Third overall and third in the SOP class is the team of Torm Kelsey-Green and Kasey Klaus with a score of 165.

Finishing first in the Equipped category is the team of Robert Paxman and Chris Lane in Car #8.

Both entries in the Novice class, both first-time rally teams, found all the checkpoints and finished the rally. In first place in the Novice class is the team of Joel Bristol and Aksel Bristol in Car #16. Finishing second place Novice is the team of Michael and Cheryl Knight in Car #14.

Congratulations to all!

Click here for the complete rundown
Click here for Rally Results
Current Series Standings

About the rally

The rally was about 100 miles from the start in northwest Portland to the ending location in Midway south of Hillsboro, and it took about three hours to complete. The odo check ended at the Tualatin River Wildlife Refuge in Sherwood. The route traveled through Chehalem, Scholls, and Laurel, and then up to Bald Peak Scenic Viewpoint for a break. The rally then continued through Gaston, to circumnavigate Henry Hagg Lake finally turning east through Blooming, and ended south of Hillsboro at Midway Firehouse Pizza.

What the rallymasters said

At the start of this season, we (Monte and Victoria Saager) knew we would be writing five of the ten rallies on this year’s schedule. We were confident we had four veteran rallymaster teams and one first-time rallymaster.  By the time we completed the March rally, however, it became apparent we did not have a rallymaster for May. No worries. We can do that.

Our March rally had a few challenges, one in particular that resulted in a max leg score if you got it wrong, and all but two teams got it wrong. We were not popular that day. So we decided, given the short development time and our already overburdened schedule, that this rally would be easy, with straight forward unambiguous instructions.

This strategy was successful! No one wanted to kill the rallymasters. In fact, overall most teams did very well, staying on course and staying on time, with many single-digit leg scores and very low total scores.

What rallyists said

Had a blast and finally got a score under 100!!!

Feeling so great. First time under 100 points. First time "in the candy" in a long, long time!!! First time EVER scoring less than Simon. So, yeah, a very good day.

From David and JoAnn Gattman (with selfie): This is what Dumbasses look like. Currently on our way to Dealers Supply [the correct start location]. We’ve been to Lowe’s [the incorrect start location]. I’d say we’re bringing our A game, but clearly not so far. Enjoy the chuckle. Yikes! Can we already be failures? [Despite their mad rush to the start, Dave and JoAnn went on to finish fourth overall and second SOP, with four perfect zero legs and a score of 2 at the first checkpoint which they barely reached in time.]

From Dave and Kathy Sacry: We have a story from this rally:
History: After the first Richta-scored rally, I used my iPad (5th gen 2017 model Cellular enabled). It gets better reception than I had from my iPhone on our first rally, which skipped a checkpoint.

Scene: At the mid-break, Bald Peak, we both went to the outhouse, and when I got back, I checked the time on the iPad for when we needed to leave. The car was parked in the sun with the iPad facing up to the sky.

Moments of distress: After a few minutes I go to check the time again. My iPad was dark and had quit working! It had a red “Warning, iPad is too hot to operate”. We both jumped into the car and turned all our cooling apparatus on high, seats, vents, everything. We still had 9 minutes left in our break time. Could we cool it off or forfeit the rest of the rally?

I took it off of the charger (sometimes that creates heat as the battery charges). Putting it in front of the AC fans was the best we could do. It didn't help. We were still sitting in the sun. I finally figured out how to take the leather case off (I had put it on years ago and never took it off). That worked and my iPad came back to life without skipping a beat and we left on time!

I loved those fields. Simply beautiful!

Congratulate the top finishers!

First overall and first in the Equipped category is the team of Bob Morseburg and Cheri Eddy in Car #30 with a score of 25 over 17 scored legs, including seven zero leg scores and five ones. Very impressive.

Second overall and first in the SOP class is the team of Cody and Sabrina Garvin in Car #6 with a score of 40, including four zero leg scores and four ones, and all single-digit leg scores. Wow! That is quite an achievement SOP. Expect great things from this team. They are writing their first-ever rally for the June 10 Saturday Series. Don’t miss it!

Third overall and second in the Equipped category is the team of Robert Paxman and Chris Lane with a score of 68. This is another team to watch. They had one zero and six ones, and all but two leg scores were single-digit. This is the first season Chris has run with his dad, and they are already honing in on excellent scores.

Finishing second in the SOP class is the team of David and JoAnn Gattman in Car #1 with a score of 81.

Third SOP is the team of Torm Kelsey-Green and Kasey Klaus in Car #13 with a score of 82.

The team of Ryan Rink and Simon Levear in car #16 get Honorable Mention with a score of 84.

In first place in the Novice class is the team of Alex Castaneda and Eric Hanson in Car #15 with a score of 96.

Finishing second place Novice is the team of Chris Williams and Kenny Schroeder in Car #2.

The team of Matthew Svec and Antony McGovern finished third Novice.

Click here for the complete rundown
Click here for Rally Results
Current Series Standings

The weather was perfect for a rally – blue sky, temps in the 60s. Beautiful! Twenty-four teams entered the March 18 Saturday Series Rally. Four pre-paid entries sat this one out, and two registered entries canceled just before the rally started. So eighteen teams charged out of the starting gate. Before the odometer check section ended, one team headed home. Seventeen teams finished the course.

About the rally

The rally was about 90 miles from the start in northwest Portland to the ending location in Scappoose, and it took about three and a half hours to complete. The route traveled along Hwy 30, then climbed up Logie Trail to Skyline and down Rocky Point Road back to Hwy 30. Then out around the Scappoose Dike, up into the foothills of the Coast Range to Yankton for a break at the Yankton Store and Restaurant. After the break, the course wound through Warren and around the Scappoose Dike the other way, ending at Fultano’s Pizza in Scappoose. The clear weather afforded some spectacular views.

What the rallymasters said

Just about the time we were finishing course development and starting to measure, calculate and test drive our event, it snowed. And snowed. A lot at higher elevations. For a few days, we were homebound, snowed in. When we finally did venture forth, we skipped the high spots on our route, knowing that we weren’t equipped for driving in the snow. When we did get on those roads, we found snow piled deep along the roadsides, but road surfaces were mostly clear except in a couple of the very highest locations. With expected temperatures in the 60s, we knew the rally roads would be clear by rally day.

Most of the roads on the March rally route have been rally roads before, but we strung them together a little differently this time. We did use one road new to us – Hankins Road – which connected west St. Helens to the Yankton area. And we used the Scappoose dike roads in both directions, first at the beginning of the rally and then again at the end.

Fourteen of the 17 scored legs were tour-like with no intended deception. There were three simple challenges. The first challenge involved a forced turn in Leg 12. Two teams navigated this challenge correctly, one of whom zeroed the leg. For all others, it was a very costly max. You are traveling on Smith Road looking for this instruction: L at “GENSMAN” (go left at a sign reading Gensman). You encounter a sign that identifies a sideroad on the left as Gensman. The road straight ahead is signed no outlet.

Since a road marked no outlet is not a valid rally road, there is no intersection here. Since you must be at an intersection to take the action L, you cannot execute the instruction L at “GENSMAN” here. You are forced left here (it’s the only way you can go) and you continue looking for a place to execute the instruction L at “GENSMAN”. And of course there is another sign reading Gensman a short way down the road at an intersection identifying a sideroad to the left as Dart Creek. This is where you execute the instruction L at “GENSMAN”. So you take Dart Creek, wind around a loop that takes you full circle, where this time you go straight at the Dart Creek sideroad and continue on.

Those who took the shortcut (used the instruction at the no outlet) reached Checkpoint 12 about 8 minutes early. As some consolation, they got an extra 8 minutes at the break at the Yankton Store.

The second challenge was in Leg 17. A route instruction directed you to CAST 35 for 1 minute then CAST 25. The next route instruction was L on CASCADE VIEW. Cascade View is a loop with two roads with the same name entering the neighborhood. If you accurately averaged 35 mph for 1 minute, you would drive past the first Cascade View entrance and go left on the second one. If you weren’t so accurate, you would take the first entrance. In either case, teams going around this loop in either direction went past Checkpoint 17. However, those who took the first entrance reached the checkpoint early, earning penalty points. Most SOP teams and a couple Novices got this one right.

The last challenge was a note inviting you to PAUSE 20 seconds at a sign with a deer on it. This note was in effect the last 14 miles of the rally. You had to continue to execute the NRIs while keeping an eye out for this deer sign. Just before the miles ran out, a deer sign appeared along the rally route. Unfortunately, the sign you were looking for had one deer while the sign along the route had two deer. The note and its pause were never used. Those who paused at that wrong sign earned penalty points on Leg 23.

What ralliers said

Nice baby deer. Reminds me of ducklings. [You had to be there.]
Thanks for a great event!
Was a fun day, thanks for the route!
Thanks for holding the exciting event.
Great job as always!

Exchange with a rally team, after no app controls were being reported from this team:
Team: Do you have us now? We were signed in to the April rally. We’re in the March rally now.
Us: Oh, that’s what happened. How were your scores in April?
Team: Nonexistent.

Congratulate the top finishers

First overall and first in the Unlimited class is the team of Bob Morseburg and Cheri Eddy in Car #30 with a score of 11 over 17 scored legs. Wow!

Second overall and first in the SOP class is the team of Ryan Rink and Simon Levear in Car #14 with a score of 91. The top two finishers were the only teams to correctly navigate the “Gensman” trap in Leg 12. In third place overall and second SOP is the team of Cody and Sabrina Garvin in Car #6 with a score of 120. The David and JoAnn Gattman team followed closely with a score of 126 to finish third SOP.

First-time ralliers Perla Zhu and Jacky Jing in Car #23 finished in first place in the Novice Class. Second Novice is the team of Hallie and Joseph Edge in Car #11. Steve Gieske and David Finch in Car #22 finished third Novice.

Congratulations to all!

Click here for the complete rundown

Click here for Rally Results

Current Series Standings