Ok, well I live in Thunder Bay, Ontario! And this city of mine is an EXCELLENT city to hold a rally! The problem is no one is willing to commit or do anything to actually have a Rally!

There are tons of people willing to help but no one willing to lead!

So my question is this, is anyone here able to like hold a rally race In or around Thunder Bay???

Don't forget Thunder Bay has an good ice-racing scene.  If you haven't been, go to a few events as they are fun to watch, if you can't compete.

There will likely be some cross over between the rally crowd and the ice-racing crowd.

Andrew Harvey

We do have an awesome Ice Racing scene! And I beleive there should be events year round! I know that Rally leagues have rules and so forth! I dont know If i have what it takes to actually start up a circuit!

There isnt like a guide as to starting your own rally circuit or something is there??

There was this one guy who would let us build a track on his land which was about 126 acers! But that fell through cause if anyone was injured he would be held liable or something along those lines.

Perhaps I should apprach the city and surounding municilpalities and ask them to shut down some streets to have an event???

xchox wrote on 08/10/4 at 09:58:55:


Thunder Bay is an excellent city period.  Lived there for 8 yrs during my childhood (Dad used to take us to freeze our butts off at the ice races - Kentucky Fried Rabbit anyone?) and I work 'up there' and beyond from time to time - usually back in the woods, where you-would-not-believe some of the roads.

Orillia to T-Bay is a bit much for me to help with organizing - but I would make the trip to compete for sure.  I'm guessing you'd get some interest from a few of the Minnesota, Wisconsin and Upper Peninsula 'Mericans.

Your best bet might be to hook up with one of the forest products companies - who's in the mill now?  Bowater?

Robin

So anyways I made this really small figure 8 course in down town in this small business park!

I figured put some baricades up, there is only one building there! And there is tons of places for spectators to watch and perhaps get some enthusiasm built up.

I figured it would be a very little start! Since the track i drew up is really really small! But I want to start with something I can control and keep an eye on things.

But no, one of the moderators on DMMR warned me not to post anything about it cause it wouldnt be a sanctioned event! But the thing is, i wanted to get city approval!

I suppose i have to get it b4 i post on dmmr, anyways How would I get approval for such an event??? In your cities, who do you approach? Is it like Parks? Maintence? or go straight to the mayor? Like what part of the city?

It sounds as though you've got the enthusiasm and initiative to get something going.  You've even got a club which is more then what we have in Northeastern Ont.   Your type of effort is definately worth supporting.

I would caution though to ensure you have support of your local club then city before proceeding.  Otherwise, even if it's a success, they powers that be may ensure a second event (or incident as they will refer to it) won't take place again.

Back in the sixties there were many "sports car clubs" and rally clubs across the entire province including my prefered residence of North Bay.  Accoring to to a former NBASC exec member it was the lawsuit culture which began in the late 70s that in part contributed to the former club's demise.  He himself resigned over fears of getting sued if someting ever went wrong.  All this to say - Play by the book - find out how a club becomes sanctioned and gets proper insurance etc... follow the setup, rules and regs as outlined by an official sanctioning body (RSO,CARS,FIA etc...) for the type of event you are planning.  A willing mentor from RSO may be useful in setting up a new club or sanctioning an existing one.

I myself am only slightly knowlegable in these matters but it seems to me your idea of a short course would be a perfect beginning.  Setting it up accoring to Rallycross regulations would definately be easier for new competitors (as cages are not required).  Logistically  it may be more feasible as well (easier to score, smaller volunteer base needed).  

I admire your initiative - I wish we had the ingredients here in Nbay you had to even think about setting something up.  

Good Luck.

xchox,

Coming soon is the Ojibwe Forest ProRally, which is part of the SCCA rally championship in the USA.  I think it is probably one of the closest top-tier rallies to Thunder Bay.

http://www.ojibweforestrally.com/

It would be a fun weekend at a great rally.

Im in europe right now! Nice rally action here on the Azores! But cant do much till I get back! Thanks for the support! When i get back ill make sure to get some more help from you guys! Thanks!