Good day,

As organizers of the Four Star Motorsports Black Bear Rally 2005 we're exploring ways to maximize the entry in our event. We're considering a few things for the event, and wondering if they'll make a difference in whether you would compete in the event or not.

First a little background: this year the rally will feature two new stage roads, in addition to the road we've used the past few years. This will bring the total stage mileage up to roughly 100kms, with slightly more than that for transit distance. We will also be providing organizer stage notes for all the stage roads.

The first thing we're considering is a reduced entry fee for seed 4, 5 and 6 drivers. Seeds 4 and 5 would receive a certain reduction, and seed 6 would receive slightly more. We haven't worked out what the numbers would be exactly, but we'd like input on whether you as competitors would be attracted to the event because of this.

The second major thing we're looking at offering is single-pass recce, in addition to the stage notes. This would give teams a chance to drive the stages at slow speeds to check the notes, and gain a measure of experience in how the recce system works as practice for future events. Of course you would have the option of not doing the recce and just use the stage notes, or just use the standard routebook. Our main concern with offering the recce is making the day too long, and potentially forcing competitors to stay for two nights in a hotel. Being a regional event, we're trying to minimize expenses for everyone. The two most likely scenarios would be: friday evening scrutineering, recce saturday morning and rally start around noon, finish around 8:30-9pm; or friday evening and saturday morning scrutineering, rally start around 10-11am, finish at roughly 7pm.

We would appreciate as much input as we can get on these matters, so that we may make decisions that will be best for our competitors.

Thank you.

I believe recce is when the competitors go over the special stages ahead of time slowly to create their own detailed pacenotes (The "left 6 plus into right 4 tightens maybe slippy seventy" schtick:)).
Stage notes I believe are supposed to be the same thing, but made by the organizer, so not as suitable to each team's preferences necessarily (and maybe not as detailed, plus - you're putting your life into somebody else's hands...), but make it easier for lower budget / time teams to participate.

And no idea what the standard routebook is then... perhaps just the TSD type instructions and figure out your own curves? Dunno... wait for somebody with authority to answer I think

Ryan, I would be fore your suggestion oof one pass recce, its a good compromise I think.