It had been nine years since we held a photo rally in the Texas Region, so it was time to bring this format back. Rallymaster Liz Witt carefully crafted this year’s version of the Clear Blue Sky Rally along scenic North Texas country roads, and with very nice spring weather, the event lived up to its name. Liz explained, “We used photos to identify intersections where you must execute an instruction to follow the course. We also identified interesting objects along the route from photos. Course following was easy. All photo places had an in-case-you-miss-it option. Photo instructions had options. You scored by selecting the correct option and identifying which photos you saw and in what order.”
Contestants started from Chrysler Jeep Dodge City in McKinney, who generously hosted our check-in as they had done in years past. Teams then followed the 100 miles or so rally course over scenic roads in Collin and Grayson counties. Fourteen cars started, and all but one team completed the rally, ending at Mariachi’s Fine Mexican Food in Sherman. There we enjoyed tasty food and camaraderie, followed by results and awards.
Awards were given to the highest scores in each entrant class. Congratulations to the winners and all the sharp-eyed contestants! The team of Takeshi and Minoru Ebisu took home First Place honors in the First Timer Class, as well as Region’s The Coronado Award for having traveled the farthest to attend the rally at 272 miles. Soumya Ajish and her son Abhinav took First Place in the Novice Class, while Rich Hempel and Frank Sigmund were First in the General class. First Place in the Master Class and First Place Overall went to Jerry and Nancy White.
