RAID North Georgia Rally August 13-15

[billyrb]

Event Description

Raid North Georgia. The contest will be held in the Appalachian mountains of northern Georgia beginning on August 13, 2004 and ending in the wee morning hours on August 15, 2004.

The event will consist of navigating through miles of trails, forest roads, leech infested swamps, and haunted forests; sometimes in the dead of night, by compass, with longitude, latitude, and dead reckoning skills both by vehicle and on foot. Paddling through crocigator infested lakes. And running up to a dozen special events including: bridge building, paint ball obstacle course, food challenges, etc.

Both person and machine are tested to their limits throughout a wide variety of challenges Teams must carry all necessary food, equipment, and supplies needed for the entire event. During this grueling challenge teams may borrow equipment, spare parts, and supplies from other team members, and in fact because of the camaraderie that develops this is very common. However, outside assistance of any sort including supplies, labor, technical advice or even a note passed from mom will result in instant disqualification and limitless shame. Maximum resourcefulness in equipment selection is mandatory. Strength, endurance, intelligence, and experience all play a major role in winning this event.

ENTRY- The Raid North Georgia will be limited to the first 50 paid teams consisting of two members (men and/or women).

Rules

Description:
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• During the event teams may receive help or borrow equipment and supplies from other event participants, however outside assistance of any sort including supplies, labor or technical advice will result in disqualification on the current stage and a zero score. The team may resume competition in the next stage.</font>
• Participants may receive help from the organizers for trail information, moving a vehicle out of a trail, or out of special stages. This will result in disqualification on the current stage and a zero score. The team may resume competition in the next stage.</font>
• Participants must be of legal adult age of 18 in the state of Georgia, or have the notarized consent of a parent or guardian.</font>
• The participants may bring along a "spectator". Typically a family member, this spectator may only ride in the vehicle for fun and pictures, and may not assist the driver and navigator in any manner whatsoever. The spectator may not ride in the canoe, give technical advice, or assist in any special stages, or penalties will result. The spectator must follow the same rules that apply to seatbelt use, no drinking, etc.</font>
• It is mandatory that all participants are at the drivers meeting prior to the event. Failure may result in disqualification or points assessment.</font>
• The use of CB radios is encouraged to communicate with other teams. However, contact with persons outside of the event is prohibited.</font>
• All decisions of the judges are final and all ruling shall be made in the spirit of the competition.
  </font>

Protests:Another team upon payment of a $50 deposit may make protest to the governing body. Upon inspection, if protest turns out to be valid, deposit will be returned and protested team/vehicle will be penalized. If protest turns out to be invalid, then deposit will NOT be refunded. Protesters must make their protest by 9 AM Sunday. Event officials have final decision.
Registration: -- Upon arrival at registration, participants will be required to sign an additional insurance waiver that has to be witnessed. Then participants will be given a vehicle inspection form and directed to the vehicle inspection area. Their vehicle will then be inspected, and upon passing, the inspector will sign the form and install an event windshield decal. Participants will then return the inspection form to the registration desk. Upon satisfactory inspection the team will be issued a numbered event decal that must be displayed on each side of the vehicle throughout the event. Vehicles not passing the safety inspection will be allowed to correct defective items and will be re-inspected prior to the event, at which time they will receive their entry decal.

Driver’s Meeting: -- Participants will receive team packets, instructions, and all maps for the event. The event organizers will explain samples of event situations and answer any questions. Starting position will be determined by a lottery drawing, held at the meeting.

Running the event:
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• Participants MUST ATTEMPT ALL stages of the event in order to qualify for a winning position or points. </font>
• Rally and special stages will be held open for sixty minutes past the time that they would ordinarily close. It is up to the discretion of the event Marshall whether any extra time will be allotted. If a team cannot attempt a special stage during the time it is open, then that team will be disqualified from the potential winners field. </font>
• Special stage obstacles will differ from event to event. However, the following closed course and timed special stages are typical: canoe sprint, bridge building, bobbing for leeches.
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Rally stages must be EXACTLY followed, or secret checkpoints may be missed. Missing a secret checkpoint will result in ZERO points for that leg. (Teams can still place or win.) Vehicles must move into checkpoint upon visibility of the team by checkpoint officials. Delaying entry will result in penalty points being awarded by officials.
Navigation:</font>

• True and magnetic compass headings may be given with distance to travel (EX; 180 degrees heading, two miles. This must be plotted to determine the checkpoint. Then find a way to get there, using forest trails or service roads.)</font>
• Some check points can be reached by vehicle, some by foot.
  </font>

Time, Speed, Distance Rallies:</font>

• Teams must enter the checkpoints from the proper direction. </font>
• When given a direction, stay on that trail until your next direction is reached. (Every trail is not listed.) </font>
• Mileage is given and keeps accumulating. It does NOT start over every turn. Mileage is given in hundredths. </font>
• If you are lost, go to the finish point of that section.
  </font>

The following rules must be observed or penalty points or disqualification may be incurred:</font>

• Seat belts must be worn throughout the event. </font>
• Any violations issued by state or local law enforcement will result in disqualification </font>
• You must be able to carry in one trip into camp all your needs for the entire weekend, no trailers. </font>
• Drinking of alcoholic beverages is prohibited before or during the vehicle operation portions of this event. A legal DUI reading will result in a disqualification. </font>
• When a vehicle overtakes another and wishes to pass, the passer should blow their horn two short blasts. The front vehicle must then pull off to the side at the earliest available point and allow a pass to occur. </font>
• Vehicle to vehicle contact of any sort is not allowed, and would most likely result in disqualification. </font>
• During the canoeing portion a personal flotation device must be carried for each person and be readily accessible. </font>
• First Aid Kit is mandatory. </font>
• ALL aspects of this event will be judged on SAFETY. All winching, jacking, pushing, and pulling should be done properly or penalties will result. (Using gloves, correct straps, tree savers, etc.) </font>
• All team members must wear DOT approved helmets during closed course special events.
  </font>

Scoring:

• </font>
• Times will be calculated "on-site" as the event progresses. Questions, comments or disputes regarding scoring or any other matter should be brought directly to the event marshals. Decisions of event officials and interpretations of rules and regulations will be considered final.

Environmental:Do everything properly, and follow Tread Lightly principals. Environmental damage of any sort will result in severe penalties or disqualification.
Decals:
Sponsor decals will be included in your team pack. ALL DECALS MUST be displayed on your vehicle during this event. Competing sponsor decals are prohibited; non-competing sponsor decals are acceptable. Teams not displaying event sponsor decals or displaying competing sponsor decals will be DISQUALIFIED. These sponsors make this event possible, so display them in a good visible location.

The Challenge Trophy is awarded to the club, business, or organization that has the two best finishing scores among the teams registered on its behalf. To be eligible to compete for this trophy, indicate so on your entry form and the organization you are representing. At the end of the competition we will take the two top scores for each organization to determine the winner. This means that you must have at least two teams representing. The trophy will be engraved with the name of the winning group and will delivered into its possession for 11 months or until the next running of the Raid North Georgia at which point it will be up for grabs again. Sponsors are eligible to have teams competing in this event.

[ February 17, 2004, 12:45 PM: Message edited by: billyrb ]

[billyrb]

Until we get our website up, go here:

Join RAID Yahoo Group

[trickc]

Sorry if I don't want to jump thru all the yahoo groups BS and passwords and junk, But how much is the entry fee? and vehicle requirements?

[youngjeeper]

that sounds AWESOME!!!!!!! so uh when we gonna do this, and where?

[billyrb]

Required Equipment

a. One vehicle (see below).
b. Map plotting equipment.
c. First aid kit.
d. Compass.
e. Life preservers (1 per team member).
f. Camping gear.
g. Flash light or head lamp (1 per team member).
h. Calculator, plotting tools, paper, pen or pencil, stapler.
i. Polaroid camera with 50 shots or digital camera with plenty of batteries.
j. Mountain bike (1), (will also be available for rental0, bicycle helmet.
k. 2 person canoe, kayak, rubber raft, etc. with paddles (will also be available for rental.
l. Emergency blanket.
m. 6 oz Gummi Bears (to bribe the officials with).
n. Sense of humour.
o. Patience.


Vehicle Requirements: This event is open to any type of 4 wheel drive or all wheel drive automobile.

a. All vehicles must be street legal and carry current registration and inspection.
b. All vehicles must carry state minimum insurance.
c. Tires and wheels must be DOT approved.
d. Factory seat belts or racing harnesses.
e. Either a hardtop or roll bar.
f. Be in sound running condition.
g. Fire Extinguisher.
h. Spare tire, jack and tire changing tools.
I. At least one tow point front and rear.
j. A winch, come-a-long, Hi-Lift jack (or equivalent).
k. Tow strap.
l. Battery must be safely secured (no bungee cords).

Recommended Equipment: Things that will make you more competitive or the experience more enjoyable

a. GPS
b. Rally computer
c. Sufficient food and fluids to sustain both team members for a period of 15 hours minimum
d. Good interior lighting

[Manhattan]

Ryan...

I want to do this. But I need some info/guidance: How extreme are the trails? Should I use Bushwood or my "teammate's" CJ-7 (V8, T-18, SOA, 4" springs, F&R D-60s, Detroits, 5.15 gears, 40" Swampers, F&R winches...)???

What do you think?

Thanks.

By the way, the Yahoo link asked for a password.

[billyrb]

You might make it with bushwood, but I would expect some water and / or body damage.....hehehe.

The link: you need to register with yahooey groups to gain access.

[Manhattan]

Will there be any type of promo materials - anything that could be used in talking with sponsors? Any idea of media coverage - also key for getting sponsors.

I already have one sponsor - a branding/marketing firm here in Atlanta will cover all of my expenses including any damage to Bushwood, but it would be nice get a few more.

[Will Morris]

Yeah, I want more info on what kind of challenges I'll be expected to complete, what kind of trails we're talking about, etc before I sign my life away and plunk down money.

Edit: I mean a Subaru WRX meets your vehicle requirements, but so did Andrew's old Jeep Whitefoot (sort of, never got any tickets or anything) but both are drastically different vehicles. A better idea of what's going on will give us an idea of what to bring for our own personal safety.

Will

[ February 17, 2004, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: Will Morris ]

[orangecherokee]

it'll be pushing it but i'm in......

so what do we win?

[ February 17, 2004, 04:34 PM: Message edited by: orangecherokee ]

[GaWag]

Curtis do you want to form a team? Maybe we could talk to mike at PORC?

[youngjeeper]

oh sure steve form a team with them, while me and my dad get lost in the woods

[billyrb]

Mark, sponsors are already taken care of thus far. But, I think we could talk to you about a few other things.

Will, this is all the info we can give at the moment. FYI, a subaru WRX won't make the finish in this rally. Nowhere near enough clearance. Heck, it might just float off course (hmmmm, was that a hint?).

OC: a trophy, possibly other "goodies". We are still in the planning & testing stages of this. As I have more info, I will update this post.

[GaWag]

Private or public land? We just sign up and represent one of your pre-determined sponsors? Our entry fee? May have to save up.

I'm hoping this is part of the sense of humor part

"Special stage obstacles will differ from event to event. However, the following closed course and timed special stages are typical: canoe sprint, bridge building, bobbing for leeches"

The leeches part. I will not join a Fear Factor Rally.

I know you said a driver meeting but what about a "This is the low down and we will not surprise you on the day of the event meeting? I would be upset to take the time off and then decide I don't like the rules/guidlines/events the day of the event."

Steve

[Manhattan]

Ryan... I was thinking of individual/team sponsors. I could see REI, Galyans, Cliff Bar as well as non-related companies (e.g. Tide on Nascar) throwing a few freebies to a team in return for the placement of a company logo/sticker on the vehicle/shirt. I actually had a shop sponsor when I was racing in the SCCA. Nothing big, but it covered the cost to race.

[billyrb]

Individual teams are certainly welcome to have their own individual sponsors as long as they don't conflict with official event sponsors and organizers in the decaling of their vehicles (ie: competing companies).

[GaWag]

How can we get our own sponsors and not have them conflict if we don't know who the sponsoring companies currently are? We would kinda need to know now to secure a sponsor. Also we have very vague info to take and present to a prospective sponsor to sign them on.

I know you like your semi-secret ideas Ryan but we really need some more info.

Steve

[billyrb]

Steve, if I had everything already worked out, then I would tell you. As you will see several posts up, I have stated that we are still in the planning stages. Once we have more info, I promise you will get it. We have about 6 months until the event....patience, my friend....patience.

[billyrb]

Oh, and registration is $175, payable in installments of $75, $50, & $50 with certain due dates for each amount.

[orangecherokee]

$175 WOW that's a heep o' cash! i know you guys are still planning but i'll seriously need some details before i chunk out that much.