Rally racing in Oregon

arctictraveller · 04-07-2018, 10:07 AM

Ok, I've admit I have a thing for vehicles that go fast and fly. Trucks, cars, motorcycles, it doesn't matter. New to me is the sport of rally racing, something I decided to check out a while ago, and now that chance is here. The Oregon trail rally is coming to Goldendale Wa 4-19 thru 4-22. I visited Goldendale last year for the first time when some friends put on a half-mile dirt track race, so now I have local knowledge. I plan to go to see what rally racing is all about and I expect it to be pretty exciting. In Europe, it's a huge spectator sport with thousands of people turning out to watch local heros jump and slide through the dirt. Anyone here ever been or have recomendations for fully enjoying the races? Anyone planning on going?

Check out the spectator guide here http://oregontrailrally.com/wp-conte..._Guide_Web.pdf

**BroncoHauler** · 04-07-2018, 10:15 AM

Just don't be one of those spectators on the outside of a hairy turn. Seeing a rally car as it plows into you is not the kind of experience you want.

Sounds like fun to watch in person though.

Herb

arctictraveller · 04-07-2018, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Just don't be one of those spectators on the outside of a hairy turn. Herb

I've seen enough of those videos where rally cars go flying off track and send people running. I've spectated at races like the Isle of Man, and Baja where the only thing protecting you from getting run over is a little common sense. In Baja, I've seen people run up to a jump and try to touch a trophy truck while its flying over their heads. My only close experience with getting hit was at the Isle of Man where I leaned over a stone wall to get a photo of a side car rig and probably didn't realize it was coming down the hill well over 100mph. Missed getting my head smashed by about an inch. Since then, I pay much closer attention to where I am.

**BroncoHauler** · 04-07-2018, 10:42 AM

Isle of Man is on my bucket list. Rode my bike up to Monterey one year and saw the motorcycle Grand Prix and loved it.

Herb

86Scotty · 04-07-2018, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Isle of Man is on my bucket list. Rode my bike up to Monterey one year and saw the motorcycle Grand Prix and loved it.

Herb

I flew out with a friend years ago and camped at Laguna for some superbike races. It's got to be the best racing in America. Notice I said in America.

I love rally and WRC especially. Back when I had a TV it was the only thing worth watching.

Rallycross, a closed circuit type of rally, is coming to the U.S. as well.

https://jalopnik.com/fia-world-rally...urs-1825012951

TomsBeast · 04-07-2018, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncoHauler

Isle of Man is on my bucket list. Rode my bike up to Monterey one year and saw the motorcycle Grand Prix and loved it.

Herb

Isle of Man is on mine as well.

I was at the Monterey Grand Prix last year too, my GF bought us tickets as a surprise deal, it had been too long since the last time I watched a race at Laguna Seca.

As long as we are talking bucket lists, put Bonneville on that list! If you haven't gone before, don't wait too long to go, the salt is being depleted by the local mining company, not enough is being done to replenish it.

rallypanam · 04-07-2018, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Scotty

I flew out with a friend years ago and camped at Laguna for some superbike races. It's got to be the best racing in America.

This year will mark my 22nd year in a row watching either WSBK or MotoGP at Laguna.. 21 years camping for the whole weekend.

It's a good time, but a little crazier in our younger years!

arctictraveller · 04-07-2018, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rallypanam

This year will mark my 22nd year in a row watching either WSBK or MotoGP at Laguna.. 21 years camping for the whole weekend.!

That's quite a record. I haven't been to Laguna Seca in a very long time, not since Kenny was king. Gotta put that back on the list now that I'm retired and free to roam the country. Thanks for the reminder.

larrie · 04-07-2018, 04:18 PM

A couple of times a year I photograph races at Oregon Raceway Park in Grass Valley, OR. Always fun Tom watch the cars go wizzing by while being a few feet from the track.

shenrie · 04-08-2018, 07:37 AM

I’ve volunteered to help at every Idaho rally that didn’t fall on the same date as the race me and my wife chair. Typically I sign up to be a road marshal, but got roped into timing last year which was still cool, but not as good of veiwing as being a road marshal.

At the Idaho event when you volunteer you get a free breakfast sat morn, free sack lunches both days, free dinner after the event, and that years tshirt. The best part is you can camp at some of the worker assignment locations which are typically better than any of the proposed spectating areas. Can’t say the event in Oregon is the same, but that is part of the same curcuit as ours is. Look in volenteering. The events wouldn’t happen without volunteers so they treat you right when you offer to help.

Either way you’ll have a blast. The people who rally are a special breed. Nucking futs comes to mind...