The Pre-Rallye brunch was held at Leiby's Restaurant in South Tamaqua, Pa.
Due to a few breakdowns en-route to the Rallye, the Rallye started at 1:30pm instead of the scheduled 1pm time.
Participants were given a folder with the Rallye guidelines, Rules and further descriptions. Once the last minute rules and changes were read to the participants, the participants got their first view of this year's map.
A 23 foot long and 11.66 inch wide picture map.
The participants had 10 minutes to gather their wits, and ask any questions of the Rallye Master, until everyone was permitted to leave the Start point.
Almost all had a good start, using their time to fold their maps in hopes to keep the 23 foot long map controllable for the 60 mile duration.
Some rolled their maps, but most fan folded the maps.... they weren't allowed to cut or disassemble the maps this year.
Dan and Christa Walters returned to the start point after about 500 ft of travel. Dan's Spridget was spittin' and sputterin'. After about 10 minutes of some carb cleaning, they were on their way. This event eventually lead to Dan and Christa winning the Broken Axle Award, for breaking down during the Rallye.
This was in contrast to Frank Clarici having a breakdown with all 3 of the cars he brought this year. Sorry Frank, if they break down while en-route to the Rallye, you don't qualify for the Broken Axle Award.
From the Start Point, the participants proceeded to the "Water Hazard" Checkpoint after about 4-5 legs of directions.
At the Water Hazard Checkpoint the participants had to complete a specific task. Click on the "Water Hazard" Tab to the right to view the Challenge. Some participants did the challenge mathematically, while a few were fortunate in their guessing.
The remainder of the Rallye took the participants through the back country roads of Schuylkill County Pennsylvania. Participants had to navigate their way using a pictorial map... Each intersection was photographed from a car's viewpoint. Participants had to find the pictured intersection, and make the appropriated indicated turn.
At the end of the 60 mile trek, the Rallye ended at Heisler's Dairy Bar. After all participants returned, the Party was taken to the Valentine House in Tuscarora. A 3 mile country drive from the Rallye end point.
At the After-party, the points were totaled, prizes were awarded, and the white elephant gift exchange took place. This happened amongst the pizza, hoagies, beer, and cake.
The White Elephant Gift Exchange is where everyone brings a wrapped item that they already own. the item must be wrapped without a name-tag on it. People then draw numbers from a hat... or bowl in this case, to see who goes first. The first victim.. I mean participant gets to pick from the lot. they then open the gift in-front of everyone. The gift is now theirs... kinda. The next participant now gets the option of picking a new unopened gift, or taking a previous winner's gift. If they take any of the previous winner's gifts... the person who lost their gift, now gets to pick a new gift. This can become quite cutthroat. This years most unique prize was indeed the Velvet Elvis Painting! You can see the pictures of this in the pictures area.
All-in-all, the day was a hit. The rain held off of the Rallye for the duration. The storms were all around us, but seemed to avoid the rallye route. Except the cemetery. You will have to come to next year's rallye if you really want to know about the cemetery. ;-)
Thanks to all the
participants.
What a great group of people.... Who don't really even know
each other outside these little british cars.
A Very
Special Thanks to Ed Kaler from Just Brits.
Who supplied Many of this year's Prizes!!!
http://www.justbrits.com/