Emerging from our 2019 COVID rally lull, we set out to re-energize the program, holding seven events in 2021 (including a National Championship events weekend). In 2022, we had a record-level nine rallies spread over the year and a range of weather conditions typical of North Texas as we sought to diversify the mix of rally styles and concepts. In addition to the nine rallies, we organized six Zoom-based virtual Rally Schools in preparation for a corresponding rally.
While we took a pause after last year’s “Texas Trifecta” National events, we put on a more diverse mix of rally styles and sanction levels, as depicted below:
The tenth iteration of the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth airport code) Shortest Distance Map Rally (prior years involved other map rally formats) took place in 2022, and our other major season highlights included:
- Back-to-Basics instructional/developmental series of GTA rallies
- Children’s Book Run, commemorating long-time RoadRally figure Sasha Lanz
- Creative application of technology
Back-to-Basics (B2B) RoadRally Series
A series of road rallies and schools was designed to introduce rallying to newcomers and refresh and reinforce key concepts for our more experienced rallyists. Liz Witt wrote and instructed four GTA events of progressive challenge levels staged over several months, each rally introducing more advanced topics, including “course-following” (aka, trap) rally concepts. After each rally, we assembled a package of materials (General Instructions, Route Instructions, Rally School Slides, Question and Answer Sheets, and Explanation/Critique Sheets) for future (re)use.
Keeping a Tradition Alive – Sasha’s Children’s Book Run Rally
For the 10th iteration of the Children’s Book Run, the Texas Region held a rally (a Trek for the second time) benefiting Scottish Rite for Children, one of the nation’s leading pediatric orthopedic centers, and honoring Sasha Lanz, long-time former leader of our RoadRally program.
A fun drive on scenic and twisty Collin, Grayson, and Denton County roads ended at Crow’s Country Cafe in Anna, where we shared a meal and camaraderie. The weather turned out great, and we were fortunate to witness more vivid than usual Fall colors, even this late in the year.
Each attendee was asked to donate a couple of books. This year, we collected 61 wonderful children’s books, delivered to Scottish Rite for Children, continuing a 7-year tradition of supporting this cause. Christy Liles, Director of Special Events, with John Poulos delivering this years collection of children’s books.
Creative Application of Technology
Always looking for ways to employ technology to simplify and/or automate rally-related tasks, enabling us to deliver a better rallyist experience while conducting events with a bare-bones organizer/worker crew. Notable examples, primarily based on the Richta app, included:
- Back-to-Basics #4 Rally – The Rally introduced Main Road Determinant course-following concepts. Richta Off-course checkpoints after critical intersections notified you of turning the wrong way (and penalized your score), getting around the need to incorporate carefully crafted loops in the rally route.
- DFW Shortest Distance Map Rally – Used GPS odometer apps to establish a common mileage standard, avoiding the need for time-consuming odometer calibration runs. For the second year, Richta On-Course checkpoints were employed to verify that entrants passed by each waypoint while navigating their selected shortest-distance route.
- Sweetheart Ride Road Rally – Richta CPs to indicate that the starting point for executing a route instruction was coming up throughout this GTA rally. Also used CPs, conventionally, for brief TSD segments of this rally. Google Forms (running on a smartphone, tablet, or laptop computer) displays the route instructions and puzzles and collects and scores contestant solutions.
And the Season Championship Results Are…
After excluding Trek and Social Rally events, four of the nine events qualified for Texas Region Championship points. Congratulations to our top placers! The Novice team of Craig and Lynn Sims took home First Place honors with 18 points, followed closely by the second-place team of Wyndi and Steve Marston, with 16 points, and coming in third with 13 points, Daniel Bryan. Jennifer and Jo White took First Place in General Class with 32 points, closely chased by Ethan and Misty Wiseley with 31 points and, not too far behind with 25 points, Carey Spreen and Sue Crimm.
collecting their trophies at the 3rd Back to Basics Road Rally
Thanks to all our participants for a fun, challenging, and exciting season of new RoadRally styles! A special shout-out, too, to John and Phyllis Camp, who conducted most of the RoadRally Safety Steward checks and test runs, essential to the success of our events and proper compliance with RoadRally requirements. And to Liz Witt for taking on the challenge of the Back to Basics road rallies.
John Poulos – RallyMaster, Rally Chair, and SCCA Texas Region Assistant RE for RoadRally