Now only two days to go until the 2006 Ontario Winter Rally and counting down. We are at 59 entries with a very competitive field. I assume you have been following the website at
www.mlrc.ca While there, also check out the Message Forum.
WEATHER & ROAD CONDITIONS
The weather is presenting a really interesting scenario. Two days ago a fresh snow left absolutely perfect winter driving conditions – pure white, snowy roads with good snowbanks. But now a heavy snow is forecast followed by a mess of freezing rain, followed by extreme cold, so who knows what conditions will result? At the moment I have no plans to go over there today or tomorrow, but if my curiosity gets the better of me, I may wander over tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. If I do, I will definitely send a report to you Friday evening.
REGISTRATION & STARTING ORDER
We have posted the Start Order on the website. Any entries coming in after this can expect to run at the back. If there are any missing details or changes in your Registration information, please contact Kym, our Registrar, at kym@tallpinesrally.com At Registration you must present your vehicle registration papers, proof of valid insurance and a valid driver’s licence. If you are using a borrowed vehicle, you must present a letter of permission from the owner.
Cash rebates will be given out a registration - $10 for any team where both members are current MLRC members. Proof of membership is your responsibility.
To reduce pressure, Registration will open at 7:30 PM. Drivers’ Meeting will be at 9:35 and first car leaves at 10:01. Teams will receive their Route Instructions 10 minutes prior to their Start Time.
TRIANGLES
Reminder – every team must carry at least one reflective triangle. It must be 40 cm (16 inches) and self-supporting. Every team must show their triangle at Checkpoint One before being allowed to continue (no time allowance).
QUIET ZONES
There will be some Quiet Zones in the rally marked as BQZ (Begin Quiet Zone) and EQZ (End Quiet Zone) in the Route Book. This year we have made those zones much more conspicuous in the instructions. These are areas that are sensitive for the OWR and Tall Pines. Please cooperate. While in a Quiet Zone, you must DIM YOUR LIGHTS (no auxiliary lights on), follow the lowered average speed precisely and run as quietly as possible and generally be unobtrusive. There will be Quiet Zone “police” out there checking (with radar). Violators of any of the QZ requirements will receive a minimum of a FIVE minute time penalty.
PARKING & GAS
Be sure to fill up with gas at Wood’s Gas Bar in Coe Hill before the Start. They will have lots of regular and premium gas. The new owners, Duane and Loriann, are staying open late for us and are very excited about the rally. They are planning to have some simple hot food and coffee available. Please try to patronize them and be friendly. The relationship we have in the community is extremely important to us (and you).
Parking at the Limerick Community Centre is limited. Please conserve space as much as possible and park so as not be block any other cars. I suggest that you form a ring first around the perimeter with your car facing in to the centre. Overflow parking will be on the shoulder of the road. The rally starts off heading WEST (toward Coe Hill) on Hwy. 620.
Workers are requested to park on the road.
There is ample parking at the two mid-rally stops at M & M ESSO in Bancroft. Please move your vehicle away from the gas pumps as soon as possible. You will speed up the process by paying in cash.