| Gravel Spray | 05-03-2003 10:34 PM |
Sheeesh, what happened at RIM?
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Sounds like total chaos down there, any stories?
Pete:disco:
Pete:disco:
| ChrisW | 05-03-2003 10:58 PM |
from what I have read....
rain rain and more rain... Mix with CA desert dust = MUDDY:devil:
[QUOTE]
[i]leader Mark Lovell.[/i]
"We ran well the last two stages," said Higgins. "The weather conditions never got any better. In the last stage, it was more slippery than Sno*Drift. They were so disgusting that we�re just looking forward to tomorrow."
[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.bensrallypage.com/archive/03_natnotes/rim03_day1.html[/url]
rain rain and more rain... Mix with CA desert dust = MUDDY:devil:
[QUOTE]
[i]leader Mark Lovell.[/i]
"We ran well the last two stages," said Higgins. "The weather conditions never got any better. In the last stage, it was more slippery than Sno*Drift. They were so disgusting that we�re just looking forward to tomorrow."
[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.bensrallypage.com/archive/03_natnotes/rim03_day1.html[/url]
| Gravel Spray | 05-03-2003 11:45 PM |
"Payday in Palmdale"
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Post below taken from SpecialStage.com's forums.
sAweetASSswEET!!!!:disco:
__________________________________________________
"Payday at Palmdale!"
Warning : Rant about to unfold!
And the big winners are:
California Highway Patrol
Antelope Valley Towing Services (at least 3 companies)
Antelope Valley local government
So what's up with this?
Drive out to the spectator stage at Spunky Canyon - awesome spot on any other day but today. It was raining heavily all morning so no cars were able to get up the dirt road to the parking area for the stage. When I arrived at 2.30pm there were cars all over. Parked in the dirt turnout, the dirt at the sides of the road - everywhere. At least 200 vehicles! I find my spot - display my Adventure Pass.
So set off walking into the stage - the parking area is 2.7 miles off the highway - the stage is another 2 past that. With on/off rain the walk is not too bad - get a ride in a pick up truck for most of the way (Thanks guys!).
The Saturday restart was delayed until 1pm so first car was expected by us at around 3.50pm. I arrive at the spectator areaat 3.30pm, told we have about a 20 minute wait. Cool! Find my spot, settle down and wait. And here comes Mother Nature once more. Rain coming sideways, freezing cold - problems on Del Sur stage delaying start of Leona - our spectator stage!
After and hour and a half I was so numb I had to leave, along with many others! (Love rallying but there had already been a Hypothermia case the night before so I didn't want to become a statistic!)
Set off walking back down the road - again get truck ride back to highway! (Thanks again, other guys!!)
Arriving back at the road it looks very empty - seems like most folks had given up and headed off! Or so I thought.
Along comes Mr.CHP, and his tow trucks!!!!!
I walk back to my car to find it being raised up onto a tow truck! ***!! According to the driver, all the cars parked at the side of the road were parked illegally, and making it dangerous on the road!
We were all parked on the outside of the white line, on dirt, off the road - but Mr Plod decided he wanted some Brownie points from his Captain!
Tow Truck guy (with a WRX on the flatbed and my car on the hitch) said that he had to take it unless I paid $100 RIGHT NOW!!! What am I to do - it's 16 miles to Palmdale, it's freezing and pissing with rain! I pay! While sat in his truck with him writing out the receipt along comes his colleague in another tow truck. Colleague rolls down window and comments "It's like Christmas, man!" then drives off. Prick!
At the same time, WRX owner returns to find his car on the back. He's pissed because the car had been dragged onto the flatbed still in gear and he's worried his diffs may be screwed! He pays.
I check out my car and notice that the brainiac tow truck driver was minutes away from towing my front wheel drive CRX with the rear raised and the car in gear. What a ****!
This all happened today about 2 hours ago. What a load of BS. The CHP are fully aware that the rally was going on. Every car I saw had an Adventure Pass on the mirror - and I'm sure no-one was aware that we were illegally parked. It appears that an overzealous Officer decide to f**k up everyone's day by leaving them stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no car in the pouring rain. The tow truck drivers all made their commission and we got reamed!
I was lucky that I got a ride out of the stage, that I was not 3 minutes later and that I could get out of the rain. I feel very sorry for the poor sods who were stuck up on the stage waiting to watch the action while they were getting screwed by the local law enforcement. I wish I'd had a van so I could wait for them, to get them back to Palmdale - even though they couldn't their cars back til Monday! (Per the driver!) And if towing damages AWD cars - there were a hundred subies there that are going to have some issues with the tow yards.
I'm sure folks have parked there before without trouble, but CHP chose today to be pricks!
There was plenty of room for cars to drive by in both directions, no cars were in the way - I don't understand!
So, I'm home now. Dryer, warmer, poorer! Didn't get to see any rally cars in action but drooled over plenty in Parc Expose (an excellent display by the way!) And I got Nicky Grist to sign my 1/18th scale Focus and pose for a pic!
And best of all - the tow truck hitch broke while he was trying to raise my car!!
Hope you all had a nicer day!
Nick.
sAweetASSswEET!!!!:disco:
__________________________________________________
"Payday at Palmdale!"
Warning : Rant about to unfold!
And the big winners are:
California Highway Patrol
Antelope Valley Towing Services (at least 3 companies)
Antelope Valley local government
So what's up with this?
Drive out to the spectator stage at Spunky Canyon - awesome spot on any other day but today. It was raining heavily all morning so no cars were able to get up the dirt road to the parking area for the stage. When I arrived at 2.30pm there were cars all over. Parked in the dirt turnout, the dirt at the sides of the road - everywhere. At least 200 vehicles! I find my spot - display my Adventure Pass.
So set off walking into the stage - the parking area is 2.7 miles off the highway - the stage is another 2 past that. With on/off rain the walk is not too bad - get a ride in a pick up truck for most of the way (Thanks guys!).
The Saturday restart was delayed until 1pm so first car was expected by us at around 3.50pm. I arrive at the spectator areaat 3.30pm, told we have about a 20 minute wait. Cool! Find my spot, settle down and wait. And here comes Mother Nature once more. Rain coming sideways, freezing cold - problems on Del Sur stage delaying start of Leona - our spectator stage!
After and hour and a half I was so numb I had to leave, along with many others! (Love rallying but there had already been a Hypothermia case the night before so I didn't want to become a statistic!)
Set off walking back down the road - again get truck ride back to highway! (Thanks again, other guys!!)
Arriving back at the road it looks very empty - seems like most folks had given up and headed off! Or so I thought.
Along comes Mr.CHP, and his tow trucks!!!!!
I walk back to my car to find it being raised up onto a tow truck! ***!! According to the driver, all the cars parked at the side of the road were parked illegally, and making it dangerous on the road!
We were all parked on the outside of the white line, on dirt, off the road - but Mr Plod decided he wanted some Brownie points from his Captain!
Tow Truck guy (with a WRX on the flatbed and my car on the hitch) said that he had to take it unless I paid $100 RIGHT NOW!!! What am I to do - it's 16 miles to Palmdale, it's freezing and pissing with rain! I pay! While sat in his truck with him writing out the receipt along comes his colleague in another tow truck. Colleague rolls down window and comments "It's like Christmas, man!" then drives off. Prick!
At the same time, WRX owner returns to find his car on the back. He's pissed because the car had been dragged onto the flatbed still in gear and he's worried his diffs may be screwed! He pays.
I check out my car and notice that the brainiac tow truck driver was minutes away from towing my front wheel drive CRX with the rear raised and the car in gear. What a ****!
This all happened today about 2 hours ago. What a load of BS. The CHP are fully aware that the rally was going on. Every car I saw had an Adventure Pass on the mirror - and I'm sure no-one was aware that we were illegally parked. It appears that an overzealous Officer decide to f**k up everyone's day by leaving them stranded in the middle of nowhere, with no car in the pouring rain. The tow truck drivers all made their commission and we got reamed!
I was lucky that I got a ride out of the stage, that I was not 3 minutes later and that I could get out of the rain. I feel very sorry for the poor sods who were stuck up on the stage waiting to watch the action while they were getting screwed by the local law enforcement. I wish I'd had a van so I could wait for them, to get them back to Palmdale - even though they couldn't their cars back til Monday! (Per the driver!) And if towing damages AWD cars - there were a hundred subies there that are going to have some issues with the tow yards.
I'm sure folks have parked there before without trouble, but CHP chose today to be pricks!
There was plenty of room for cars to drive by in both directions, no cars were in the way - I don't understand!
So, I'm home now. Dryer, warmer, poorer! Didn't get to see any rally cars in action but drooled over plenty in Parc Expose (an excellent display by the way!) And I got Nicky Grist to sign my 1/18th scale Focus and pose for a pic!
And best of all - the tow truck hitch broke while he was trying to raise my car!!
Hope you all had a nicer day!
Nick.
| kasio | 05-04-2003 01:04 AM |
So was there still a scooby show-off at the football field? Got any updated pix?
| Rally1 | 05-04-2003 03:13 AM |
also from specialstage.com forum post:
[QUOTE]Call the CHP now at 323-906-3434 and complain.
Or Antelope Valley CHP on Monday at 661-948-8541.[/QUOTE]
I am just trying to imagine how pissed i would have been if my car was gone.... we got soaked, and if the car hadn't been there when we hiked out I would likely be sick for a week, it was that cold and wet up there, no time to find you car towed by CHP and those towing companies.
How could the CHP leave people up there like that?!
It was alot less safe to have those tow truck pulling people off the road then to have just left the cars where they were.
I almost hope a lawyer was amongst those with there cars towed. I must have missed the no parking signs!
[QUOTE]Call the CHP now at 323-906-3434 and complain.
Or Antelope Valley CHP on Monday at 661-948-8541.[/QUOTE]
I am just trying to imagine how pissed i would have been if my car was gone.... we got soaked, and if the car hadn't been there when we hiked out I would likely be sick for a week, it was that cold and wet up there, no time to find you car towed by CHP and those towing companies.
How could the CHP leave people up there like that?!
It was alot less safe to have those tow truck pulling people off the road then to have just left the cars where they were.
I almost hope a lawyer was amongst those with there cars towed. I must have missed the no parking signs!
| Mako | 05-04-2003 03:21 AM |
LAME
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Dude, that F------ SUCKS!!!!! UNREAL!!!!! All tow truck drivers (and meter maids) may their children be born deformed! They have no heart and probably no soul. I was there, man. I was parked on the side of the road at first and by cheer luck showed my press pass and they let me by in my Legacy Outback. The first 100 yards were off-camber and slick and I slid a bit but made it. I, too, suffered through two hours of that sleet and wind and misery. Anyway--CHP and tow truck drivers can bite my big one!!! I feel for you dude. What a crock. You seriously need to write to Rim organizers--via hard copy AND email, maybe even Subaru the sponsors, and let them know your story.
While I'm at it, let me say that the Pelona Park start was totally lame!!! You call that a start? The beauty of the previous start location all those years past was the first stage was right there!!! Hundreds of families and kids would come watch as they roared through the field, but not many come all the way up into the mountains. If they want to build rallying in the US you gotta give the fans action to get excited by!! A race in the first stage, not that crappy "start" up the driveway. An official told me that they moved it here to accomodate vendor's tents. i can relate to that--it's all about positive cash flow, but if it's there again I will NOT attend the start beyond picking up schwag. We need race action at the start for the fans!!
Sorry again to hear about the towing. A HUGE middle finger to the CHP (if responsible) and to ass---- tow truck drivers who are laughing at our expense. And to anyone saying "they're just doing their job" well the nazis said that too. If you gotta tow a car, don't make jokes about it in front of your victims.
Mako
PS Saw Subie Gal pass by--she honked at us at Spunky!
While I'm at it, let me say that the Pelona Park start was totally lame!!! You call that a start? The beauty of the previous start location all those years past was the first stage was right there!!! Hundreds of families and kids would come watch as they roared through the field, but not many come all the way up into the mountains. If they want to build rallying in the US you gotta give the fans action to get excited by!! A race in the first stage, not that crappy "start" up the driveway. An official told me that they moved it here to accomodate vendor's tents. i can relate to that--it's all about positive cash flow, but if it's there again I will NOT attend the start beyond picking up schwag. We need race action at the start for the fans!!
Sorry again to hear about the towing. A HUGE middle finger to the CHP (if responsible) and to ass---- tow truck drivers who are laughing at our expense. And to anyone saying "they're just doing their job" well the nazis said that too. If you gotta tow a car, don't make jokes about it in front of your victims.
Mako
PS Saw Subie Gal pass by--she honked at us at Spunky!
| Rally1 | 05-04-2003 03:31 AM |
Did these towed cars have the needed [URL=http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/passes/pass-adventure.shtml]adventure pass (link)[/URL] ?
This may also be useful, the local District Office:
Angeles National Forest
701 North Santa Anita Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 574-1613
Also CHP [URL=http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/chp414.html]Community Service Survey[/URL]
This may also be useful, the local District Office:
Angeles National Forest
701 North Santa Anita Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91006
(626) 574-1613
Also CHP [URL=http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/chp414.html]Community Service Survey[/URL]
| Mako | 05-04-2003 03:57 AM |
A.P.
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I once parked up off the 210, up Little Tujunga canyon, to hike and when I got back there was a ticket on my car for no Adventure Pass (which I had in my glove box). All you had to do was send the ticket with $5 or write in your number from your Pass, which I did. They sure didn't tow my car for no Pass!
Thanks for posting those links to CHP and the NF.
Also, RIM organzier's email is [email][email�protected][/email] (paula gibeault) from the Rim website.
as well as
Denise McMahon
Chief of Staff/Co_Organizer
Rim of the World Pro Rally 2003
[email][email�protected][/email]
Thanks for posting those links to CHP and the NF.
Also, RIM organzier's email is [email][email�protected][/email] (paula gibeault) from the Rim website.
as well as
Denise McMahon
Chief of Staff/Co_Organizer
Rim of the World Pro Rally 2003
[email][email�protected][/email]
| tt_ttf | 05-04-2003 02:44 PM |
Not good PR for rallying
I wonder what sort of co-ordination there was between the organizers and the CHP
Given that people were being charged attend (unlike a LOT of other rallies) then there is going to be hell to pay when this ends up especially if cars were damaged by Billy-Bob's towin (towing a CRX by the back wheels??????:confused: )
Not good!
I wonder what sort of co-ordination there was between the organizers and the CHP
Given that people were being charged attend (unlike a LOT of other rallies) then there is going to be hell to pay when this ends up especially if cars were damaged by Billy-Bob's towin (towing a CRX by the back wheels??????:confused: )
Not good!
| totoherbs | 05-04-2003 05:03 PM |
[QUOTE]Did these towed cars have the needed adventure pass (link) ?[/QUOTE]
ya... most of them did.
When talking to the lady from RIM, cant remeber her name. She basicly said to bad... and she would bring it up in there meetings... mario In2Deep was the one talking to her and im sure he will be around sooner or later. I know that there were 10 defferent towing yards some with 3 or 4 cars, and as of sturday night the CHP paper work was done, so there was no way to get the cars out till monday.
I want to know how 40 cars worth of people were sopoes to get off the mt??? I never made it up there. I spent the day down the road at the service area, but even there it was 40 deg
20 mph+ wind, rain and hail....:mad:
[url]http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=355787[/url]
ya... most of them did.
When talking to the lady from RIM, cant remeber her name. She basicly said to bad... and she would bring it up in there meetings... mario In2Deep was the one talking to her and im sure he will be around sooner or later. I know that there were 10 defferent towing yards some with 3 or 4 cars, and as of sturday night the CHP paper work was done, so there was no way to get the cars out till monday.
I want to know how 40 cars worth of people were sopoes to get off the mt??? I never made it up there. I spent the day down the road at the service area, but even there it was 40 deg
20 mph+ wind, rain and hail....:mad:
[url]http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=355787[/url]
| flyboy | 05-04-2003 05:21 PM |
Re: Sheeesh, what happened at RIM?
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[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Gravel Spray [/i]
[B]Sounds like total chaos down there, any stories?
Pete:disco: [/B][/QUOTE]
Hi Pete,
I'm sure Eugene will tell you all about it when he sees you next.
Seems like all the northwest rally people who came down this weekend must have brought the rain down with them.
Torrential sideways rain + two inches of mud on top of a wet clay base + 60 rally cars = lots of frustration.:(
About ten of us back-runners in G2/G5/production got stuck in the mud trying to get up a steep hill less than a quarter-mile into the second stage on Saturday. It took about 30 minutes to get us all unstuck.
Needless to say, we're happy that we'll be back up in the northwest for the next two rallies. Looking forward to smooth gravel and no waterbars!
Felix
PS. Did anyone get any good action shots of the Mini? Not that there were any spectators out there with the cancelled stages and all...
[B]Sounds like total chaos down there, any stories?
Pete:disco: [/B][/QUOTE]
Hi Pete,
I'm sure Eugene will tell you all about it when he sees you next.
Seems like all the northwest rally people who came down this weekend must have brought the rain down with them.
Torrential sideways rain + two inches of mud on top of a wet clay base + 60 rally cars = lots of frustration.:(
About ten of us back-runners in G2/G5/production got stuck in the mud trying to get up a steep hill less than a quarter-mile into the second stage on Saturday. It took about 30 minutes to get us all unstuck.
Needless to say, we're happy that we'll be back up in the northwest for the next two rallies. Looking forward to smooth gravel and no waterbars!
Felix
PS. Did anyone get any good action shots of the Mini? Not that there were any spectators out there with the cancelled stages and all...
| totoherbs | 05-04-2003 05:36 PM |
[QUOTE]PS. Did anyone get any good action shots of the Mini? Not that there were any spectators out there with the cancelled stages and all...[/QUOTE]
well I know of some that had been taking pic's on friday before it got bad... but there stuff was in a towed car so....:rolleyes:
[QUOTE]Torrential sideways rain + two inches of mud on top of a wet clay base + 60 rally cars = lots of frustration[/QUOTE]
I heard people talking about that... It was then I thought twice about going up there.
well I know of some that had been taking pic's on friday before it got bad... but there stuff was in a towed car so....:rolleyes:
[QUOTE]Torrential sideways rain + two inches of mud on top of a wet clay base + 60 rally cars = lots of frustration[/QUOTE]
I heard people talking about that... It was then I thought twice about going up there.
| Coati | 05-04-2003 06:22 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by tt_ttf [/i]
[B]
Given that people were being charged attend (unlike a LOT of other rallies) [/B][/QUOTE]
No, they weren't.:confused: Unless you're talking about the Adventure Passes, but that's nothing to do with the rally itself.
Not only were the tow truck drivers and CHP jerks, but the one person there who DID have an automotive problem (he snapped the front axle on his monster truck trying to go up the muddy hill) was repeatedly refused service by the tow trucks. They wouldn't touch the guy's truck for a good few hours after they were done with their $$$$$$$ adventure.
It wouldn't surprise me if the CHP officers were getting some sort of kickback from the towing companies involved -- their "reason" was that the cars might have been blocking emergency traffic, but it sure didn't seem to impede multiple flatbed tow trucks from getting around and making a lot of 3-point turns.
Lest you think it was a purely law-enforcement thing, when other LEOs were told what the CHP were doing, they had very uncomplimentary things to say about the CHP.:lol:
Edit: One more thing. I'll never assume a CHP officer has the common sense of a ground squirrel: At what point is deliberately stranding 100 people on a mountain, in the middle of nowhere (with no radio contact and no cell service), in freezing rain, getting dark, knowing full well that they have already been cold and wet for several hours and most likely were not prepared to be in that weather to begin with and not from that area, [b]enhancing the safety of the general public?[/b]
:mad: :disco: :mad:
[B]
Given that people were being charged attend (unlike a LOT of other rallies) [/B][/QUOTE]
No, they weren't.:confused: Unless you're talking about the Adventure Passes, but that's nothing to do with the rally itself.
Not only were the tow truck drivers and CHP jerks, but the one person there who DID have an automotive problem (he snapped the front axle on his monster truck trying to go up the muddy hill) was repeatedly refused service by the tow trucks. They wouldn't touch the guy's truck for a good few hours after they were done with their $$$$$$$ adventure.
It wouldn't surprise me if the CHP officers were getting some sort of kickback from the towing companies involved -- their "reason" was that the cars might have been blocking emergency traffic, but it sure didn't seem to impede multiple flatbed tow trucks from getting around and making a lot of 3-point turns.
Lest you think it was a purely law-enforcement thing, when other LEOs were told what the CHP were doing, they had very uncomplimentary things to say about the CHP.:lol:
Edit: One more thing. I'll never assume a CHP officer has the common sense of a ground squirrel: At what point is deliberately stranding 100 people on a mountain, in the middle of nowhere (with no radio contact and no cell service), in freezing rain, getting dark, knowing full well that they have already been cold and wet for several hours and most likely were not prepared to be in that weather to begin with and not from that area, [b]enhancing the safety of the general public?[/b]
:mad: :disco: :mad:
| AVATAR-X | 05-04-2003 07:03 PM |
Rim was my first pro-rally, and might just be my last - it chewed me up and spit me out.
Friday was fine. The Parc Expose was fun - cars, drivers, even Nicky Grist showed up. The sky opened up a bit, but it was manageable. My bro and I decided to not see Friday's night stages since we had just driven 350 miles to get there.
Saturday [I][B]SUCKED!!![/B][/I] We took off an hour before the suggested leave time, so we could be the first ones up (and find a parking spot up in the spectator area). We arrived at the base of "Spunky Canyon" around 12:20pm (a good 2:20 before the stage start) and found the path up was just closed to car traffic. So, we parked on the side of the road (as we were told to) and proceeded to hike up the 2.5 miles with 3 other people.
Just up the path we found a silver WRX trying to be dislodged from a mud bank by a kind pick-up. AFAIK it slid sideways into the bank as it tried to climb the little muddy hill. Though it took a while, they pulled it out. The rest of the hike was pretty uneventfull, just lots of rain, mud, and biting wind.
So, 40 mins goes by and we make it up to the start (actually the middle) of the spectator area. After a quick restroom stop we climbed are way further up the path to find a nice overlook, just above a nice hairpin and with line-of-sight to a nice S-run down the other further hill - and then the wait began. We pulled out a little waterproof (that we bought at a Wal-Mart just before we left Palmdale) and took a seat. About 5 mins later the frost-bite kicked in, then came the chills; so we decided to make a little tent out of the tarp and sat inside. We became a big blue beacon on the hill, we only wished we had a big Subaru insignia emblazoned on it.
Anyway, 90 mins later we jumped out of the tarp and awaited the first car. 10 mins after that we jumped back in as our we started to lose the feeling in our legs and arms - it seemed the world had flipped upsidedown and the sea was falling on us. The next couple of hours were spent trying to regain the feeling in our appendages while staying out of rain, hail, and tornado like winds. By 4:30pm we just gave up, not a single car had come by and all we had heard from the marshals were promises that cars would be by in 30-50 mins. As we left, we overheard a marshal say that they hadn't even run the previous stage yet (as if they couldn't have mentioned this 2 hours ago).
So we were pissed, very pissed, and being out in the open hypothermia started kicking in. My brother and I took off down the mountain running, hoping to get back some feeling. We had hiked in 2.5 miles in the wind, snow and hail, and we ran the 2.5 miles back out - without seeing one freakin' car run. We got back to the car muddy and wet and tried to put some bags and paper towels down to keep the car somewhat clean, but it was pretty pointless. On our way out we noticed a few tow trucks, and a few poor Subbies on their backs, but we didn't think much of it at the time. We kinda wondered why one rex had its alarm going off while on the tow truck, but we didn't hear about the mass towing until a couple of guys asked us for a ride into Palmdale. What could we do but let them hop in and take them into town.
We got back to the hotel, which was in Mojave (about 35 miles North of Palmdale) and crashed. This morning we took off, back to the Bay Area - we just wanted this trip to be over. We put around 800 miles on the rex and we didn't see one car run a stage. On the plus side, we saw X-2... :rolleyes:
There's more to that story, but I'm dead, and I doubt any of you really read all the crap I just wrote. At least I don't feel like going on a killing spree anymore. :devil:
Friday was fine. The Parc Expose was fun - cars, drivers, even Nicky Grist showed up. The sky opened up a bit, but it was manageable. My bro and I decided to not see Friday's night stages since we had just driven 350 miles to get there.
Saturday [I][B]SUCKED!!![/B][/I] We took off an hour before the suggested leave time, so we could be the first ones up (and find a parking spot up in the spectator area). We arrived at the base of "Spunky Canyon" around 12:20pm (a good 2:20 before the stage start) and found the path up was just closed to car traffic. So, we parked on the side of the road (as we were told to) and proceeded to hike up the 2.5 miles with 3 other people.
Just up the path we found a silver WRX trying to be dislodged from a mud bank by a kind pick-up. AFAIK it slid sideways into the bank as it tried to climb the little muddy hill. Though it took a while, they pulled it out. The rest of the hike was pretty uneventfull, just lots of rain, mud, and biting wind.
So, 40 mins goes by and we make it up to the start (actually the middle) of the spectator area. After a quick restroom stop we climbed are way further up the path to find a nice overlook, just above a nice hairpin and with line-of-sight to a nice S-run down the other further hill - and then the wait began. We pulled out a little waterproof (that we bought at a Wal-Mart just before we left Palmdale) and took a seat. About 5 mins later the frost-bite kicked in, then came the chills; so we decided to make a little tent out of the tarp and sat inside. We became a big blue beacon on the hill, we only wished we had a big Subaru insignia emblazoned on it.
Anyway, 90 mins later we jumped out of the tarp and awaited the first car. 10 mins after that we jumped back in as our we started to lose the feeling in our legs and arms - it seemed the world had flipped upsidedown and the sea was falling on us. The next couple of hours were spent trying to regain the feeling in our appendages while staying out of rain, hail, and tornado like winds. By 4:30pm we just gave up, not a single car had come by and all we had heard from the marshals were promises that cars would be by in 30-50 mins. As we left, we overheard a marshal say that they hadn't even run the previous stage yet (as if they couldn't have mentioned this 2 hours ago).
So we were pissed, very pissed, and being out in the open hypothermia started kicking in. My brother and I took off down the mountain running, hoping to get back some feeling. We had hiked in 2.5 miles in the wind, snow and hail, and we ran the 2.5 miles back out - without seeing one freakin' car run. We got back to the car muddy and wet and tried to put some bags and paper towels down to keep the car somewhat clean, but it was pretty pointless. On our way out we noticed a few tow trucks, and a few poor Subbies on their backs, but we didn't think much of it at the time. We kinda wondered why one rex had its alarm going off while on the tow truck, but we didn't hear about the mass towing until a couple of guys asked us for a ride into Palmdale. What could we do but let them hop in and take them into town.
We got back to the hotel, which was in Mojave (about 35 miles North of Palmdale) and crashed. This morning we took off, back to the Bay Area - we just wanted this trip to be over. We put around 800 miles on the rex and we didn't see one car run a stage. On the plus side, we saw X-2... :rolleyes:
There's more to that story, but I'm dead, and I doubt any of you really read all the crap I just wrote. At least I don't feel like going on a killing spree anymore. :devil:
| sybir | 05-04-2003 07:30 PM |
Damn.
I've been to rim for the last 3 years, and have always had a great time. We rolled up to Spunky Canyon to be informed we couldn't drive up; after some debate, we decided to scratch it (didn't have full rain gear, so long hike + exposure + hike back down = bad idea; way beyond "rally spectating isn't easy")
Went to the stage 10(11?..can't remember) to be told the rest of the stages were cancelled past that....mind you, this was at ~2:30 at the latest; they should have told people that actually got up to the spectating area at Spunky what to expect....
and then the towing......they apparently towed the EVO belonging to the head of Mitsu USA, so at least there may be some bigger legal guns working on behalf of all the people stranded up there........ :(...
Does the local government just not realize how much money they stand to lose from an incident like this?
I love rally, but I'm not leaving my car in the rain in the middle of nowhere with the expectation that Roscoe P. Coltrane is gonna haul the damn thing off.......... :(
I've been to rim for the last 3 years, and have always had a great time. We rolled up to Spunky Canyon to be informed we couldn't drive up; after some debate, we decided to scratch it (didn't have full rain gear, so long hike + exposure + hike back down = bad idea; way beyond "rally spectating isn't easy")
Went to the stage 10(11?..can't remember) to be told the rest of the stages were cancelled past that....mind you, this was at ~2:30 at the latest; they should have told people that actually got up to the spectating area at Spunky what to expect....
and then the towing......they apparently towed the EVO belonging to the head of Mitsu USA, so at least there may be some bigger legal guns working on behalf of all the people stranded up there........ :(...
Does the local government just not realize how much money they stand to lose from an incident like this?
I love rally, but I'm not leaving my car in the rain in the middle of nowhere with the expectation that Roscoe P. Coltrane is gonna haul the damn thing off.......... :(
| Rally1 | 05-04-2003 08:39 PM |
Hehe I was browsing [url]http://www.cityofpalmdale.org[/url] to find contact info for the tourism board or similar, and came upon this gem:
-----
Weather
No need to pack your umbrella. Palmdale enjoys 360 days a year of clear, blue skies and sunny weather.
-----
that must be why Walmart, Target etc had no rain jackets in their stores when I went looking for an extra one!
Here is some contact info for palmdale chamber of commerce. [URL=http://www.palmdalechamber.org/contact.htm]http://www.palmdalechamber.org/contact.htm[/URL] Obviously it is not their fault, but it may be worth expressing how much you spent in their town this weekend, and how you might not bother doing it again c/o local CHP.
-----
Weather
No need to pack your umbrella. Palmdale enjoys 360 days a year of clear, blue skies and sunny weather.
-----
that must be why Walmart, Target etc had no rain jackets in their stores when I went looking for an extra one!
Here is some contact info for palmdale chamber of commerce. [URL=http://www.palmdalechamber.org/contact.htm]http://www.palmdalechamber.org/contact.htm[/URL] Obviously it is not their fault, but it may be worth expressing how much you spent in their town this weekend, and how you might not bother doing it again c/o local CHP.
| Coati | 05-04-2003 09:02 PM |
Here's what I left at the Chamber of Commerce contact site:
[QUOTE]My wife and I were volunteers at Rim of the World this weekend (for the second consecutive year). We payed our way to Palmdale, stayed at the Best Western, bought our food in Palmdale, like many other rally fans from out of the area.
The local CHP decided that fans' cars were apparently a safety hazard at the Leona spectator area, and so had dozens towed. While I was not one of the victims of this, I'm very disappointed. I'm not sure what kind of safety hazard it was, as the many large flatbed tow trucks surely had no problem getting around.
Besides, at what point is
deliberately stranding 100 people (including small children) on a mountain in the middle of nowhere (with no radio contact and no cell service),
in freezing rain,
getting dark,
knowing full well that they have already been cold and wet for several hours and most likely were not prepared to be in that weather to begin with and not from that area,
enhancing the safety of the general public?
And how assinine to make people who live hundreds (if not thousands) of miles away wait until monday to get their cars back because "the CHP has not processed the paperwork yet"?
And how many of those people will never come back to Palmdale due to this experience?
I will also complain to the CHP, but I doubt they will listen to me. They may, however, listen to you.
Thank you[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE]My wife and I were volunteers at Rim of the World this weekend (for the second consecutive year). We payed our way to Palmdale, stayed at the Best Western, bought our food in Palmdale, like many other rally fans from out of the area.
The local CHP decided that fans' cars were apparently a safety hazard at the Leona spectator area, and so had dozens towed. While I was not one of the victims of this, I'm very disappointed. I'm not sure what kind of safety hazard it was, as the many large flatbed tow trucks surely had no problem getting around.
Besides, at what point is
deliberately stranding 100 people (including small children) on a mountain in the middle of nowhere (with no radio contact and no cell service),
in freezing rain,
getting dark,
knowing full well that they have already been cold and wet for several hours and most likely were not prepared to be in that weather to begin with and not from that area,
enhancing the safety of the general public?
And how assinine to make people who live hundreds (if not thousands) of miles away wait until monday to get their cars back because "the CHP has not processed the paperwork yet"?
And how many of those people will never come back to Palmdale due to this experience?
I will also complain to the CHP, but I doubt they will listen to me. They may, however, listen to you.
Thank you[/QUOTE]
| Rally1 | 05-04-2003 09:33 PM |
What I had sent them by email:
[QUOTE] "To Promote, Develop and Serve Business,
Industry and Community"
I wanted to express my disappointment in the actions of the local CHP officers based in your area. On Saturday May 3rd 50 cars were towed by the CHP, stranding their owners and passengers on the mountain in freezing rain and wind.
I spent over $400 in the city of Palmdale in hotel rooms and other local services, and I have no intention of returning to Palmdale after the CHP action. I wasn't towed but I witnessed how they, and the tow truck drivers treated the visitors to your city.
[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.palmdalechamber.org/contact.htm[/url]
[URL=http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/chp414.html]CHP survey[/URL]
[QUOTE] "To Promote, Develop and Serve Business,
Industry and Community"
I wanted to express my disappointment in the actions of the local CHP officers based in your area. On Saturday May 3rd 50 cars were towed by the CHP, stranding their owners and passengers on the mountain in freezing rain and wind.
I spent over $400 in the city of Palmdale in hotel rooms and other local services, and I have no intention of returning to Palmdale after the CHP action. I wasn't towed but I witnessed how they, and the tow truck drivers treated the visitors to your city.
[/QUOTE]
[url]http://www.palmdalechamber.org/contact.htm[/url]
[URL=http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/chp414.html]CHP survey[/URL]
| enTarget | 05-04-2003 10:11 PM |
Guys, I am really soory you had such a difficult time. My wife and I had flown to LA to visit my brother and visit the Rally. Fortunately, we were not feeling that great so decided, just as the rain was starting Saturday, that it would be best if we went back to my brother's.
I cannot tell you how pissed I would have been to have had my brother's car towed during those conditions. I can't do much from here in Alabama to help but it may be a few years before we return.
Jeff
I cannot tell you how pissed I would have been to have had my brother's car towed during those conditions. I can't do much from here in Alabama to help but it may be a few years before we return.
Jeff
| Ken Levin | 05-04-2003 10:28 PM |
It stayed rainy and cold...
�
�
We stayed on the ridge until 5:00 pm when the cars actually came through. We had multiple layers, rainsuits, gloves and umbrellas (not useable up top due the 35 mph wind gusts). We almost didn't make, it was so cold and wet. This was after having walked UP the entire 2.5 miles.
Two years ago it was great (I heard the weather was good last year also) and it'll probably be great next year, but we won't be attending unless I hear there was some kind of apology/reaming out involving the CHP. I couldn't believe it when we started hearing that they were towing cars. We were told it was cars parked over the white line (at the edge of the road) but by the time we got down (6:15pm) in a friendly local's pu, that almost slid off at the one reallly bad place near the bottom, just about everyone was gone. (Our car was there since luckily I found a spot well off the road.)
Stranding motorists miles from a phone in near freezing, wet weather at an event of this type was reprehensible. I will be contacting Palmdale C of C to register my dismay. I know it is not their fault, but as Coati mentioned, they may have some clout.
The discomfort was almost worth it as far as viewing this particular stage. The cars are always awesome and yesterday was no exception. Jamie/Subie Gal in her new WRX wagon even managed to toot the horn a few times as she drifted through the esses! :D
There are other stages to see as well: the night before we caught all the cars zooming out of the darkness behind six or eight blinding lights, bouncing over the water bars and disappearing in the night with exhausts roaring. Modern day dragons.
It was also good to see everyone from nasioc! MPREZYA did a great job with the booth and even had prizes to give away.
This is a terrific event if the weather co-operates and the CHP gets lost.
Two years ago it was great (I heard the weather was good last year also) and it'll probably be great next year, but we won't be attending unless I hear there was some kind of apology/reaming out involving the CHP. I couldn't believe it when we started hearing that they were towing cars. We were told it was cars parked over the white line (at the edge of the road) but by the time we got down (6:15pm) in a friendly local's pu, that almost slid off at the one reallly bad place near the bottom, just about everyone was gone. (Our car was there since luckily I found a spot well off the road.)
Stranding motorists miles from a phone in near freezing, wet weather at an event of this type was reprehensible. I will be contacting Palmdale C of C to register my dismay. I know it is not their fault, but as Coati mentioned, they may have some clout.
The discomfort was almost worth it as far as viewing this particular stage. The cars are always awesome and yesterday was no exception. Jamie/Subie Gal in her new WRX wagon even managed to toot the horn a few times as she drifted through the esses! :D
There are other stages to see as well: the night before we caught all the cars zooming out of the darkness behind six or eight blinding lights, bouncing over the water bars and disappearing in the night with exhausts roaring. Modern day dragons.
It was also good to see everyone from nasioc! MPREZYA did a great job with the booth and even had prizes to give away.
This is a terrific event if the weather co-operates and the CHP gets lost.
| MPREZYA | 05-04-2003 10:58 PM |
If any of you got towed on stage 8 be sure to check out the thread in the SCIC.
| mlambert | 05-04-2003 11:05 PM |
A certain song by NWA comes to mind...
| RacingBlue | 05-04-2003 11:06 PM |
Just an FYI,
Before you all go nutzo with the City of Palmdale I have to point out the City of Palmdale folks have been incredably accomodating to the CRS rally organizers on the RIM event. I had the pleasure of working with a few directly in planning and had plenty of second hand discussions with CRS folks that have nothing but praise for them and want to be invited back. My experience with them was absolutly top drawer. I am certain they had absolutly NADA to do with any parking violations and that CHP/scene. If you choose to write to them, I am making an appeal to have your head connected and not shoot from the hip. I would also suggest that they probably have very little to no influance over the CHP. You may be better off writing to the CHP direct if you feel motivated as they are the responsible agency.
Before you all go nutzo with the City of Palmdale I have to point out the City of Palmdale folks have been incredably accomodating to the CRS rally organizers on the RIM event. I had the pleasure of working with a few directly in planning and had plenty of second hand discussions with CRS folks that have nothing but praise for them and want to be invited back. My experience with them was absolutly top drawer. I am certain they had absolutly NADA to do with any parking violations and that CHP/scene. If you choose to write to them, I am making an appeal to have your head connected and not shoot from the hip. I would also suggest that they probably have very little to no influance over the CHP. You may be better off writing to the CHP direct if you feel motivated as they are the responsible agency.
| Rally1 | 05-04-2003 11:09 PM |
I think we are all on the same page. The theory is complain to them (not balme them) they in turn express concern to CHP.
| ANZAC_1915 | 05-04-2003 11:09 PM |
It was certainly an eventful ...event.
Friday:
Stage 1: broken tarmac, hilly, tight, fast. We pushed as hard as we could.
Stage 2: #%^@%^%#%^!!! The water bars weren't the problem, but the HUGE ruts across the road and HUGE boulders (12-18" square!?!) were an issue. A lot of cars fogged up.
Transit from stage 2-3: $^@#%$^@#!(@#*&!!! I heard of many, many co-drivers losing their dinner.....
Stage 3: not quite as rough as 2 but slippy in sections once the rain started.
Stage 4-5: a course worker had a heart attack Friday night, resulting in the last two stages being cancelled for club entrants. The Pro and dual entered cars got to run it.
Saturday:
Del Sur (in, stage 1): "there is a little bit of mud before the start, so we moved the start up" --- what they didn't tell us was there was mud AFTER the start. A lot of it. In fact, a HUGE mud bog the entire way, interspersed with water bars. For the 2wd cars, you had to balance keeping momentum with risking going off in the next corner. Not knowing in advance how boggy it was, we had ~33 PSI in each tire. Not ideal.
At the turn around area, there was much discussion of whether the stage should be run back out or not.
Del Sur (out, stage 2): @#$%^@#%^! Reduced tire pressure to 29 PSI. Many 2WD cars hopelessly stuck. We made it out (after being pushed twice and stopping to refill the windshield washer bottle.....).
Leona Ridge (stage 3): we didn't start the stage due to some suspension issues.
All the other stages : cancelled.
Glenn
Friday:
Stage 1: broken tarmac, hilly, tight, fast. We pushed as hard as we could.
Stage 2: #%^@%^%#%^!!! The water bars weren't the problem, but the HUGE ruts across the road and HUGE boulders (12-18" square!?!) were an issue. A lot of cars fogged up.
Transit from stage 2-3: $^@#%$^@#!(@#*&!!! I heard of many, many co-drivers losing their dinner.....
Stage 3: not quite as rough as 2 but slippy in sections once the rain started.
Stage 4-5: a course worker had a heart attack Friday night, resulting in the last two stages being cancelled for club entrants. The Pro and dual entered cars got to run it.
Saturday:
Del Sur (in, stage 1): "there is a little bit of mud before the start, so we moved the start up" --- what they didn't tell us was there was mud AFTER the start. A lot of it. In fact, a HUGE mud bog the entire way, interspersed with water bars. For the 2wd cars, you had to balance keeping momentum with risking going off in the next corner. Not knowing in advance how boggy it was, we had ~33 PSI in each tire. Not ideal.
At the turn around area, there was much discussion of whether the stage should be run back out or not.
Del Sur (out, stage 2): @#$%^@#%^! Reduced tire pressure to 29 PSI. Many 2WD cars hopelessly stuck. We made it out (after being pushed twice and stopping to refill the windshield washer bottle.....).
Leona Ridge (stage 3): we didn't start the stage due to some suspension issues.
All the other stages : cancelled.
Glenn
| tt_ttf | 05-04-2003 11:49 PM |
Sorry to hear it was not great
I was thinking the CEO of Mitsu who gots his Evo towed with the other 46 unlucky people could do a huge bit of PR and have Mitsu go to bat collectively with CHP
Between what sounds like less than stellar organisation of the rally itself plus what sounds like zero co-ord with CHP........
I was thinking the CEO of Mitsu who gots his Evo towed with the other 46 unlucky people could do a huge bit of PR and have Mitsu go to bat collectively with CHP
Between what sounds like less than stellar organisation of the rally itself plus what sounds like zero co-ord with CHP........
| Ken Levin | 05-05-2003 12:14 AM |
Glenn - I hope you got the suspension squared away.
For those not lucky enough to have been there, Glenn drives a pristine (at the Parc Expose, anyway) Cortina GT. It was great seeing a car four decades old out there on the course. (Not to mention the driver.) :lol:
Phil - Not to worry. I doubt if anyone blames Palmdale. However, I do think that the business community (ie. C of C) does have influence with the local CHP office.
Happy Motoring
For those not lucky enough to have been there, Glenn drives a pristine (at the Parc Expose, anyway) Cortina GT. It was great seeing a car four decades old out there on the course. (Not to mention the driver.) :lol:
Phil - Not to worry. I doubt if anyone blames Palmdale. However, I do think that the business community (ie. C of C) does have influence with the local CHP office.
Happy Motoring
| Coati | 05-05-2003 12:42 AM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Phil Pausmer [/i]
[B] I am certain they had absolutly NADA to do with any parking violations and that CHP/scene. [/B][/QUOTE]
I agree.
And as I'm sure the ROTW organizers will be having words with the CHP, it would be nice to bring in Palmdale's CoC as another concerned voice. The fiasco certainly was not in Palmdale's best business interests by any means ... except for the towing companies.
And Phil, as a ROTW volunteer and rally fan, THANK YOU for your support.
You may have missed the awards breakfast this morning, but Paula made it abundantly clear how valuable Subaru West, Subaru in general, and you in particular are to these events.:)
PS, the flashlights are neat, too.
[B] I am certain they had absolutly NADA to do with any parking violations and that CHP/scene. [/B][/QUOTE]
I agree.
And as I'm sure the ROTW organizers will be having words with the CHP, it would be nice to bring in Palmdale's CoC as another concerned voice. The fiasco certainly was not in Palmdale's best business interests by any means ... except for the towing companies.
And Phil, as a ROTW volunteer and rally fan, THANK YOU for your support.
You may have missed the awards breakfast this morning, but Paula made it abundantly clear how valuable Subaru West, Subaru in general, and you in particular are to these events.:)
PS, the flashlights are neat, too.
| makofoto | 05-05-2003 01:23 AM |
One entrant from Oregon never got to run on Friday after being run into by a hit and run driver while transiting to the first stage! He couldn't give chase because his fender was bashed into the front left tire ... :-(
We were very lucky ... after parking on Spunky (over the white line, displaying our Pass) ... we only walked about 20 yards before running into someone who had turned back saying that it was something like over 2.5 miles of mud hiking ... and it was raining cats and dogs! So ... we went down to the Lake Hughes Service area ... after two hours of waiting in the rain we finally left. The "delicious" $6 hamburger meal ... the only time I've ever had a burger that was so well done that it was literally crunchy! :-(
My two friends that I was trying to introduce to Rallying were not impressed. I will try to see the coverage on SpeedVision on the 22nd of May. I REALLY felt sorry for the cameramen trying to cover this mess ...
We were very lucky ... after parking on Spunky (over the white line, displaying our Pass) ... we only walked about 20 yards before running into someone who had turned back saying that it was something like over 2.5 miles of mud hiking ... and it was raining cats and dogs! So ... we went down to the Lake Hughes Service area ... after two hours of waiting in the rain we finally left. The "delicious" $6 hamburger meal ... the only time I've ever had a burger that was so well done that it was literally crunchy! :-(
My two friends that I was trying to introduce to Rallying were not impressed. I will try to see the coverage on SpeedVision on the 22nd of May. I REALLY felt sorry for the cameramen trying to cover this mess ...
| Rally1 | 05-05-2003 01:29 AM |
[QUOTE]running into someone who had turned back saying that it was something like over 2.5 miles of mud hiking[/QUOTE]
That might well have been me and Carlye!
That might well have been me and Carlye!
| MK19 | 05-05-2003 02:07 AM |
In short- I never saw a single stage- waited for 2 hours on stage 3 Sat. but the weather drove me off the mountain- unrelenting wind, hail and rain. Then the stage start was delayed- just wasn't worth getting sick to stay. Ah well, I am going to Greece for the WRC Rally Acropolis... I should hope that'll make up for Rim.
| WHTWRX | 05-05-2003 02:59 AM |
My Experience
�
�
Wow, I had no idea there were so many problems going on Saturday...and I was involved with the radio people!
[b]Friday 9:30 AM - Slightly chilly, partly cloudy[/b]
I provided start/finish blockage comms for the press stage. Fun to watch..envious of the many people who got to go for a ride.
Met Mario in person for the first time, gave him and his friend a ride back to the mothership.
[b]Friday 6:30 PM - Cold gusting winds, moderate drizzle[/b]
I was stationed with some EMTs from the Sheriff, they were donating their time and services..thank you! Very cool guys..
My blockage point was the penultimate, at a nasty fork in the road that many almost failed to negotiate. Rally brakes SQUEAL! It's really fun staring down 10 HIDs 15 feet away from you as they decelerate from 60+ down to 10 in an attempt to avoid disaster. At times I put the seat belt on in the truck I was sitting in, in case of a head on (I'm not kidding!)
My job was to shine my flashlight on the car and read off the numbers (as the rain came down, the numbers disappeared!) .. "Yeah that yellow broken down porsche finally passed block 5... :lol: "
Said hello to Paula G. and she drove "LOST" up the stage route.
[b]Saturday, 2:30 AM - Moderate rain and wind, feels like snowboarding temps[/b]
11 cars got held up on stage 4 (heart attack victim). The decision was made to let the rest of the pro-field finish. We had to wait about 45 minutes for them to arrive, as they were held up by the medical vehicles.
Finally stumbled back to the hotel and lost consciousness.
[b]Saturday 11:30 AM - Threatening skies and wind[/b]
Hooked up with my radio group and caravaned up Libre mountain. Halfway up we got word the stage was cancelled. This was actually a good thing, as our WRX wagon would never have made it. The 4WD vehicles almost got themselves stuck in thick mud.
[b]Saturday 3:00 PM - Partly Cloudy[/b]
Went by Lake Hughes, but we decided to leave, we were beat. Dropped by the expo, but most had left the park so we went on home. I now have a really nice cough and sore throat.
I'd like to thank to the Gibeault's, the McMahon's, all the organizers, sponsors, and the die-hard fans that came out to suffer with us. Some will look back on this as an "epic" experience.
Let's not let a few unscrupulous authorities ruin this event's popularity.
BTW, who the heck won this thing anyway? :lol:
[b]Friday 9:30 AM - Slightly chilly, partly cloudy[/b]
I provided start/finish blockage comms for the press stage. Fun to watch..envious of the many people who got to go for a ride.
Met Mario in person for the first time, gave him and his friend a ride back to the mothership.
[b]Friday 6:30 PM - Cold gusting winds, moderate drizzle[/b]
I was stationed with some EMTs from the Sheriff, they were donating their time and services..thank you! Very cool guys..
My blockage point was the penultimate, at a nasty fork in the road that many almost failed to negotiate. Rally brakes SQUEAL! It's really fun staring down 10 HIDs 15 feet away from you as they decelerate from 60+ down to 10 in an attempt to avoid disaster. At times I put the seat belt on in the truck I was sitting in, in case of a head on (I'm not kidding!)
My job was to shine my flashlight on the car and read off the numbers (as the rain came down, the numbers disappeared!) .. "Yeah that yellow broken down porsche finally passed block 5... :lol: "
Said hello to Paula G. and she drove "LOST" up the stage route.
[b]Saturday, 2:30 AM - Moderate rain and wind, feels like snowboarding temps[/b]
11 cars got held up on stage 4 (heart attack victim). The decision was made to let the rest of the pro-field finish. We had to wait about 45 minutes for them to arrive, as they were held up by the medical vehicles.
Finally stumbled back to the hotel and lost consciousness.
[b]Saturday 11:30 AM - Threatening skies and wind[/b]
Hooked up with my radio group and caravaned up Libre mountain. Halfway up we got word the stage was cancelled. This was actually a good thing, as our WRX wagon would never have made it. The 4WD vehicles almost got themselves stuck in thick mud.
[b]Saturday 3:00 PM - Partly Cloudy[/b]
Went by Lake Hughes, but we decided to leave, we were beat. Dropped by the expo, but most had left the park so we went on home. I now have a really nice cough and sore throat.
I'd like to thank to the Gibeault's, the McMahon's, all the organizers, sponsors, and the die-hard fans that came out to suffer with us. Some will look back on this as an "epic" experience.
Let's not let a few unscrupulous authorities ruin this event's popularity.
BTW, who the heck won this thing anyway? :lol:
| I ROBOT | 05-05-2003 06:24 AM |
The combination of all the negative factors made the weekend pretty pathetic. The towings were absurd. The weather is no one's fault. Disorganization and lack of information was terrible.
Next year? I don't think there gonna be much to look forward too.
Next year? I don't think there gonna be much to look forward too.
| Subie Gal | 05-05-2003 12:09 PM |
really sorry to hear about those of you who suffered through the towing issue :mad: that.... really bites.... i can not believe the CHP did that. :(
wasnt much of a fun rally really. i seriously took it easy...
me = scared to death up there on those ridges.... i've never driven in anything like that, but on a positive note, the Wagon handled really really well once i figured out how to drive in that muck :rolleyes:
pretty rough weekend for everyone i think, organizers, workers, competitors and fans.... hopefully Rim will be it's good ole car breaking self come next year ;)
Jamie [url]www.subiegalracing.com[/url]
wasnt much of a fun rally really. i seriously took it easy...
me = scared to death up there on those ridges.... i've never driven in anything like that, but on a positive note, the Wagon handled really really well once i figured out how to drive in that muck :rolleyes:
pretty rough weekend for everyone i think, organizers, workers, competitors and fans.... hopefully Rim will be it's good ole car breaking self come next year ;)
Jamie [url]www.subiegalracing.com[/url]
| Jaxx | 05-05-2003 01:15 PM |
things i learned at rim:
1 glen wallace is really tall
2 john flested is almost blind with out glasses
3 cavlear is a terrible rental car
4 soccer moms in minivans are bad no where you are
5 nikky grist is really short
6 they sell kirspy kreams in the grocery store :mad:
7 unless your giving directions don't talk to jamie while she is driving
1 glen wallace is really tall
2 john flested is almost blind with out glasses
3 cavlear is a terrible rental car
4 soccer moms in minivans are bad no where you are
5 nikky grist is really short
6 they sell kirspy kreams in the grocery store :mad:
7 unless your giving directions don't talk to jamie while she is driving
| TV3WRX | 05-05-2003 02:25 PM |
What a weekend
�
�
You guys have already summed it all up pretty well, but I have a couple of additional comments:
CHP towing: The most frustrating thing about it is that I from where I was staying I could hear the street races going on all night long on Palmdale Blvd.....not rally watchers, but local dweebs with cheezed-out Eclipses and Civics and what not. CHP didn't pay a whole lot of attention to THAT. I tried to talk to one CHP "officer" who was just a total a**hole. He was looking my car up and down the whole time to see if he could cite me for something. I was tempted to ask him if CHP was now trying to emulate the Baath party.
City of Palmdale: While I cant blame them for the CHP crap, I do feel that putting pressure on them is one of the only ways to hold CHP accountable for their insanity. Certainly CHP is not going to listen to the complaints of a few rally-goers.
Organization: Even without the weather probs, (which the organizers were clearly not prepared to deal with at all....even the Marshalls were completely in the dark and/or misinformed), I have to say that without a "spectator stage" like last year, there is no way the average (new) person can go to a rally and feel like they saw a viable sporting event. Only the hardcore, like all of us who froze all day at Spunky, (or Fri night at Aliso), are going to hike 2 miles into a canyon to see a few cool cars pass by once. Hey, I did manage to have a great time despite all, but the event NEEDS the spectator stage in order to grow.
On a positive note: Drove the Leona/Spunky stage in the old '86 GL Turbo Coupe late Friday evening just as the rain was starting, (left the WRX at home this year, knowing it was gonna be UGLY weather and mud). Nobody was even there......that was big fun. Also drove the Aliso stage early Sat morning after thay had run it Friday night. Incredibly muddy, but SO FUN. El Mirage Lake bed was great fun on Sunday morning also. Pics if anyone is interested, (Choose Subaru 1986GL folder then RIM folder):
[URL]http://photos.yahoo.com/tv3wrx [/URL]
All said, I'll still go again next year, and to every other rally I can manage to get to. Rain or shine, I kinda love it.:)
CHP towing: The most frustrating thing about it is that I from where I was staying I could hear the street races going on all night long on Palmdale Blvd.....not rally watchers, but local dweebs with cheezed-out Eclipses and Civics and what not. CHP didn't pay a whole lot of attention to THAT. I tried to talk to one CHP "officer" who was just a total a**hole. He was looking my car up and down the whole time to see if he could cite me for something. I was tempted to ask him if CHP was now trying to emulate the Baath party.
City of Palmdale: While I cant blame them for the CHP crap, I do feel that putting pressure on them is one of the only ways to hold CHP accountable for their insanity. Certainly CHP is not going to listen to the complaints of a few rally-goers.
Organization: Even without the weather probs, (which the organizers were clearly not prepared to deal with at all....even the Marshalls were completely in the dark and/or misinformed), I have to say that without a "spectator stage" like last year, there is no way the average (new) person can go to a rally and feel like they saw a viable sporting event. Only the hardcore, like all of us who froze all day at Spunky, (or Fri night at Aliso), are going to hike 2 miles into a canyon to see a few cool cars pass by once. Hey, I did manage to have a great time despite all, but the event NEEDS the spectator stage in order to grow.
On a positive note: Drove the Leona/Spunky stage in the old '86 GL Turbo Coupe late Friday evening just as the rain was starting, (left the WRX at home this year, knowing it was gonna be UGLY weather and mud). Nobody was even there......that was big fun. Also drove the Aliso stage early Sat morning after thay had run it Friday night. Incredibly muddy, but SO FUN. El Mirage Lake bed was great fun on Sunday morning also. Pics if anyone is interested, (Choose Subaru 1986GL folder then RIM folder):
[URL]http://photos.yahoo.com/tv3wrx [/URL]
All said, I'll still go again next year, and to every other rally I can manage to get to. Rain or shine, I kinda love it.:)
| makofoto | 05-05-2003 02:39 PM |
Agree totally ... my two Rallye newbie friends couldn't believe that didn't have a stage that went by somewhere that had easy access for spectators ... they just wanted to see ONE corner with the cars going by in true rallye fashion. We noticed that from Elizabeth Lake road ... on the way to the Lake Huges service area ... there where neat looking dirt roads coming down from the hills that offered a great view from the road area ... with off road parking.
Maybe US style rallying is just going to have to be a TV spectator sports. On one of those Real TV type shows ... last night they showed some euro rallyes with lots of crashes and real close calls with spectators ... and one horrendous spin out that broadsides a spectator and sent her flying at amazing speed. She had major multiple injuries ... but they showed her meeting the driver of the car a half a year later - all forgiven. In the US she would have of course sued the driver! The driver ... amateur level ... retired from the sport immediately after the accident.
Maybe US style rallying is just going to have to be a TV spectator sports. On one of those Real TV type shows ... last night they showed some euro rallyes with lots of crashes and real close calls with spectators ... and one horrendous spin out that broadsides a spectator and sent her flying at amazing speed. She had major multiple injuries ... but they showed her meeting the driver of the car a half a year later - all forgiven. In the US she would have of course sued the driver! The driver ... amateur level ... retired from the sport immediately after the accident.
| eastbaysubaru | 05-05-2003 03:13 PM |
I DEFINITELY agree with the spectator/super special stage needing to be included in this event. It is going to be very difficult to get new people into this sport that aren't die hards. Hell, why do you think NASCRAP is so popular here in the states? Because you can be lazy as hell and still see ALL of the action. I like to think I'm pretty rally crazy, but after an hour and a half of sitting in the rain freezing my ass off, I threw in the towel. I didn't get to see ONE car on stage this year but I'll still be going back next year (as long as it's still on the ProRally calendar).
-Brian
-Brian
| TV3WRX | 05-05-2003 03:44 PM |
Spectator Stage
�
�
Maybe we should all send emails to the organizers about this. In defense of them though, there may have been some sort of "legal" problem that prevented them from having it this year. I heard rumors about this, but I really don't know if that is the case.
| johnfelstead | 05-05-2003 06:11 PM |
That was diferent
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�
Wow, that was an interesting intro to Pro Rally. :lol:
First off, congratulations to Jamie for getting through that event without putting a mark on the car, a major achievement under the circumstances. To bring home a trophy from that was a big bonus too.
When i heard there was going to be rain in CA for the rally i thought i would bring along my rain coat and overtrousers i use on the Rally GB, was that a good decision. :D The weather was on a par with anything i had seen on Rally GB, but the conditions for the drivers were much worse, in the UK the roads are built with rain in mind, CA sure isnt like that, just getting into the service area was a major challenge, driving the stages must have been nuts.
I thought that getting this rally to run at all was a major acheivement for the organisors, i am sure they will learn a huge amount about improving comunications with the workers, crews and spectators, but considering the history of the event and it's weather, just getting one stage in was a big deal.
I thought overall the event was well laid out with information easily to hand, had the weather been normal i believe spectators would have had a much more enjoyable time and got to see some great motorsport, when you have such a disaster with weather on roads that simply arn't able to cope, it's easy to concentrate on the problems and forget how exceptional the circumstances were. The park expose was a great format to allow fans to meet the drivers and see the cars up close, to me the event being started mid afternoon on both days was a bit strange though, too much waiting around for drivers and crews on the 2nd day really.
Overall i enjoyed my time at Rim and met some great people.
Things i learned this weekend.
1) a brit in CA burns to a cinder even when it's throwing it down. :eek:
2) there are 4 diferent types of CA mud :lol:
3) Pro Rally is growing with some great cars being prepared.
4) Tech inspection seemed very slick
5) Riced out Honda's with slick front tyres and morons behind the wheel tend to crash in the rain. :lol:
6) State troupers get confused when they pull a brit and see a UK driving licence :lol:
7) Miss Palmdale is cute and doesnt have a boyfriend :devil:
Big thanks to Jamie for having me along for the weekend and to all the guys i met during the event for making me feel welcome in CA, Rim of the World 2003 is one rally i wont forget in a very long time. :D
First off, congratulations to Jamie for getting through that event without putting a mark on the car, a major achievement under the circumstances. To bring home a trophy from that was a big bonus too.
When i heard there was going to be rain in CA for the rally i thought i would bring along my rain coat and overtrousers i use on the Rally GB, was that a good decision. :D The weather was on a par with anything i had seen on Rally GB, but the conditions for the drivers were much worse, in the UK the roads are built with rain in mind, CA sure isnt like that, just getting into the service area was a major challenge, driving the stages must have been nuts.
I thought that getting this rally to run at all was a major acheivement for the organisors, i am sure they will learn a huge amount about improving comunications with the workers, crews and spectators, but considering the history of the event and it's weather, just getting one stage in was a big deal.
I thought overall the event was well laid out with information easily to hand, had the weather been normal i believe spectators would have had a much more enjoyable time and got to see some great motorsport, when you have such a disaster with weather on roads that simply arn't able to cope, it's easy to concentrate on the problems and forget how exceptional the circumstances were. The park expose was a great format to allow fans to meet the drivers and see the cars up close, to me the event being started mid afternoon on both days was a bit strange though, too much waiting around for drivers and crews on the 2nd day really.
Overall i enjoyed my time at Rim and met some great people.
Things i learned this weekend.
1) a brit in CA burns to a cinder even when it's throwing it down. :eek:
2) there are 4 diferent types of CA mud :lol:
3) Pro Rally is growing with some great cars being prepared.
4) Tech inspection seemed very slick
5) Riced out Honda's with slick front tyres and morons behind the wheel tend to crash in the rain. :lol:
6) State troupers get confused when they pull a brit and see a UK driving licence :lol:
7) Miss Palmdale is cute and doesnt have a boyfriend :devil:
Big thanks to Jamie for having me along for the weekend and to all the guys i met during the event for making me feel welcome in CA, Rim of the World 2003 is one rally i wont forget in a very long time. :D
| Subie Gal | 05-05-2003 06:22 PM |
Re: That was diferent
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�
[quote] State troupers get confused when they pull a brit and see a UK driving licence [/quote]
[IMG]http://www.freeadpower.org/~mrsmiles/contrib/blackeye/lol.gif[/IMG]
>>Big thanks to Jamie for having me along for the weekend
[i]thanks for helpin out JF... :) not a fun rally by standards... but we made it through :)[/i]
J.
[IMG]http://www.freeadpower.org/~mrsmiles/contrib/blackeye/lol.gif[/IMG]
>>Big thanks to Jamie for having me along for the weekend
[i]thanks for helpin out JF... :) not a fun rally by standards... but we made it through :)[/i]
J.
| Rally1 | 05-05-2003 06:25 PM |
local Newspaper
Heather Lake
AV Press
661-267-4133
or email [email][email�protected][/email]
She is waiting for your calls, and requested that I ask you to call her.
Heather Lake
AV Press
661-267-4133
or email [email][email�protected][/email]
She is waiting for your calls, and requested that I ask you to call her.
| makofoto | 05-05-2003 06:36 PM |
John ... you didn't warn us that you were coming, Smart! ... at least I didn't see an announcement ... so we could bug you with our incessant questions! ;-)
That wasn't you Saturday evening at the service center was it ... almost throwing a fit ... when you guys were trying to get Jamies car out in four minutes ... :)
That wasn't you Saturday evening at the service center was it ... almost throwing a fit ... when you guys were trying to get Jamies car out in four minutes ... :)
| Subie Gal | 05-05-2003 06:56 PM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by makofoto [/i]
[B]John ... you didn't warn us that you were coming ... at least I didn't see an announcement ... so we could bug you with our incessant questions! ;-)
That wasn't you Saturday evening at the service center was it ... almost throwing a fit ... when you guys were trying to get Jamies car out in four minutes ... :) [/B][/QUOTE]
no that wasnt John... that was another member of my panicking crew... John was the CALM one.. :D
i was the one in yellow sipping red bull ;)
hehehee....
J.
[B]John ... you didn't warn us that you were coming ... at least I didn't see an announcement ... so we could bug you with our incessant questions! ;-)
That wasn't you Saturday evening at the service center was it ... almost throwing a fit ... when you guys were trying to get Jamies car out in four minutes ... :) [/B][/QUOTE]
no that wasnt John... that was another member of my panicking crew... John was the CALM one.. :D
i was the one in yellow sipping red bull ;)
hehehee....
J.
| johnfelstead | 05-05-2003 07:01 PM |
coming over was a very late decision, i booked my flights sunday night and was in WA tuesday to give Jamie a hand geting ready and down to the rally.
Saturday service was very rushed as there was a delay getting into control, so we had half the time we expected to check the car and refuel. I was the calm one working fast. ;):D:lol:
If that doesnt help i was the guy with the light baseball cap, 5' 10" tall and with plenty of wet weather gear on. :D
I did post i was coming in a rim thread in motorsport, but didnt make a big deal of it as working on the car was the main thing for me.
Saturday service was very rushed as there was a delay getting into control, so we had half the time we expected to check the car and refuel. I was the calm one working fast. ;):D:lol:
If that doesnt help i was the guy with the light baseball cap, 5' 10" tall and with plenty of wet weather gear on. :D
I did post i was coming in a rim thread in motorsport, but didnt make a big deal of it as working on the car was the main thing for me.
| TV3WRX | 05-05-2003 07:06 PM |
Jamie
�
�
It was nice to meet you on Friday at Pelona. My son Adam got a great pic of you pulling into Hughes service on Saturday. Stressed as you must have been at that point, you were still smiling! I'll email it; meantime you can see it it the yahoo link I posted earlier in this thread.
Jon, I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you....didn't know you were coming.
Jon, I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to meet you....didn't know you were coming.
| makofoto | 05-05-2003 07:07 PM |
So ... John ... is that you behind the two of us ... light cap ... looking away ...
[IMG]http://images2.fotki.com/v22/photos/4/43793/241952/RIMJamieSponsor-vi.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images2.fotki.com/v22/photos/4/43793/241952/RIMJamieSponsor-vi.jpg[/IMG]
| johnfelstead | 05-05-2003 07:10 PM |
yep, slap bang in the middle of you and Jamie. :lol:
That must have been one of the rare moments when i wasnt asleep hiding from the rain in the back of the wagon. :D
That must have been one of the rare moments when i wasnt asleep hiding from the rain in the back of the wagon. :D
| johnfelstead | 05-05-2003 07:14 PM |
Maybe see you next year TV3WRX, i have to see Rim as it's intended, not as a drive through soup. :lol:
| makofoto | 05-05-2003 07:20 PM |
Well ... boy did you get lucky I didn't know it was you ... with all of my questions about anti-lag, octane, tires, etc.
I bugged the English Pro Drive mechanics working with Subaru Rallye Team USA instead ... :D
I spent most of Saturday night watching those guys at work ... You fellows certainly get all of my respect for the hard, fast and dirty work ...
Very cool that you were able to come over and help Jamie! As one of her micro Sponsors ... thank you!
I bugged the English Pro Drive mechanics working with Subaru Rallye Team USA instead ... :D
I spent most of Saturday night watching those guys at work ... You fellows certainly get all of my respect for the hard, fast and dirty work ...
Very cool that you were able to come over and help Jamie! As one of her micro Sponsors ... thank you!
| ANZAC_1915 | 05-06-2003 12:35 AM |
[quote]1 glen wallace is really tall
5 nikky grist is really short[/quote]
Greg took a photo of me getting my timecard from Nicky. It looks like I'm twice his height and I am about to crush him.
I didn't get much of a chat with him, but did spend time chatting with David Sutton and David Campion. Top guys, if only because they liked my car.
[quote]7) Miss Palmdale is cute and doesnt have a boyfriend [/quote]
John, was that [i]Junior[/i] Miss Palmdale or the other one? :eek:
Glenn
PS I have to admit I was pining for a Subie at Del Sur...
5 nikky grist is really short[/quote]
Greg took a photo of me getting my timecard from Nicky. It looks like I'm twice his height and I am about to crush him.
I didn't get much of a chat with him, but did spend time chatting with David Sutton and David Campion. Top guys, if only because they liked my car.
[quote]7) Miss Palmdale is cute and doesnt have a boyfriend [/quote]
John, was that [i]Junior[/i] Miss Palmdale or the other one? :eek:
Glenn
PS I have to admit I was pining for a Subie at Del Sur...
| Red-Imp | 05-06-2003 01:05 AM |
Yep, Rim blew. With apologies to the organzers, I probably won't go again. My story almost exactly matches one already told, above.
[QUOTE]Miss Palmdale is cute and doesnt have a boyfriend [/QUOTE]
If you guys thought Miss palmdale was cute, you should have seen the Pirelli girls. :eek:
:devil:
[QUOTE]Miss Palmdale is cute and doesnt have a boyfriend [/QUOTE]
If you guys thought Miss palmdale was cute, you should have seen the Pirelli girls. :eek:
:devil:
| aspera | 05-06-2003 01:59 AM |
earning my stripes and then some
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�
OK, before I rant, let me count off the truly great things that I experienced.
1. Pelonas Vista Park was awesome. I got to snap pix of rally, drag, show, and "normal" WRXs. There was free stuff and ULTIMATE access to cars, teams, drivers, and co-drivers.
2. Pelonas Vista Park was awesome. (more) I can't believe they let cars park on the soccer field. Kudos to whoever set this place up.
3. The charity auction was awesome. It was almost like stealing.:)
4. The instructions to the spectator points were awesome. GPS coordinates! YAY!
5. Pelonas Vista Park was awesome. (again) There was ample parking. {foreshadowing}:) The lots were full of sweet cars...INCLUDING A SKYLINE!!!
1. Pelonas Vista Park was awesome. I got to snap pix of rally, drag, show, and "normal" WRXs. There was free stuff and ULTIMATE access to cars, teams, drivers, and co-drivers.
2. Pelonas Vista Park was awesome. (more) I can't believe they let cars park on the soccer field. Kudos to whoever set this place up.
3. The charity auction was awesome. It was almost like stealing.:)
4. The instructions to the spectator points were awesome. GPS coordinates! YAY!
5. Pelonas Vista Park was awesome. (again) There was ample parking. {foreshadowing}:) The lots were full of sweet cars...INCLUDING A SKYLINE!!!
| aspera | 05-06-2003 02:15 AM |
then things got miserable, but fun:)
�
�
I parked along side the road and hike up the muddy trail at Spunky. You guys know how the weather was. At the end of the trail I stood behind a bush for shelter for a very long time. I was cold and wet, like the night before, but just figured the whole experience was part of "earning my stripes" as a rally nut. I quietly waited for the cars, or some news about the stage being delayed or cancelled. One of the groups in front of me had a FRS radio (and Oreos!). When strangers offer you Oreos in weather like that, you know you're with good people. THANKS OREO GIRL!!!
It started getting late and I figured that if the cars DID run that stage, then I'd have to hike out in the dark. I started slogging down the muddy trail with some guys that I was talking with. As a joke, I stuck my thumb out when a Truck was about to pass us. HE STOPPED! I couldn't believe it. We rode all the way to the bottom. Besides almost sliding over a pedestrian, the trip was fun. We salute you Mister truck driver dude! You have one million Karma points.
It started getting late and I figured that if the cars DID run that stage, then I'd have to hike out in the dark. I started slogging down the muddy trail with some guys that I was talking with. As a joke, I stuck my thumb out when a Truck was about to pass us. HE STOPPED! I couldn't believe it. We rode all the way to the bottom. Besides almost sliding over a pedestrian, the trip was fun. We salute you Mister truck driver dude! You have one million Karma points.
| ANZAC_1915 | 05-06-2003 02:20 AM |
[quote]If you guys thought Miss palmdale was cute, you should have seen the Pirelli girls.[/quote]
I was getting some gimmes from the small Subaru trailer, we closed the door and then it opened and the Pirelli Girls stepped out.
I said to the SOA guy "hey, can I swap this stuff for them?!"
[img]http://www.shults.com/rim2003/Photos/AwardsBreakfast/images/P5040047.jpg[/img]
"Felstead thinks I'm cute?!?!?!"
I was getting some gimmes from the small Subaru trailer, we closed the door and then it opened and the Pirelli Girls stepped out.
I said to the SOA guy "hey, can I swap this stuff for them?!"
[img]http://www.shults.com/rim2003/Photos/AwardsBreakfast/images/P5040047.jpg[/img]
"Felstead thinks I'm cute?!?!?!"
| TFW | 05-06-2003 02:34 AM |
[QUOTE][i]Originally posted by Jaxx [/i]
[B]things i learned at rim:
7 unless your giving directions don't talk to jamie while she is driving [/B][/QUOTE]
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
True, True...
[B]things i learned at rim:
7 unless your giving directions don't talk to jamie while she is driving [/B][/QUOTE]
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
True, True...
| makofoto | 05-06-2003 02:42 AM |
Are we sure John wasn't talking about the Jr. Miss Palmdale .... ;)
[IMG]http://images2.fotki.com/v23/photos/4/43793/241952/MsJrPalmdale-vi.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://images2.fotki.com/v23/photos/4/43793/241952/MsJrPalmdale-vi.jpg[/IMG]
| aspera | 05-06-2003 02:45 AM |
Dude, where's my car?
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�
Seriously. Dude, where's my car?
Okay, I'm back where I parked my rental car...and its gone. My hands are beet red and soaked. I can barely get the keys out of my pocket. My shelter is AWOL.
Again, the kindness of strangers saves the day. One of the guys I walked/rode down the hill with offers me a ride. Sorry, I can't remember your name. I'm not staying in Palmdale, but I figure that the Holliday Inn is the best place to find help.
At the Holliday Inn: I call EVERYONE {like said in The Professional}. The two girls at the counter are helpful and understanding. Nobody knows where the car is for a long time. I wait for a CHP car to show up for a while, but I get a call instead. They tell me that the car was towed by.....wait for it.....AV Towing. At one point he says "East Sixth". I hunt the address down in the yellow pages, then I grab a map of Palmdale from the front table.
While I was waiting Nicky Grist walked in the hotel. A small hello really gave me a boost.
Anyway, back to the hunt. I walk to the tow lot, bent on getting the car. You see, my hotel is by LAX. I have to be at the airport by noon. Most of my stuff, including airline tickets, are in the car. I'm on vacation alone, and I just want to get back to Kansas City. When I arrive at the lot, there are two CHP cars there. The tow truck driver is also there. Hrmmmm....I think they are waiting for me.
Within less than 30 seconds I'm shouting at the pigs.:) I think that I was shouting at the actual pig that towed my rental car.:) His defense is that the car was over the white line, therefore it gets towed. Simple laws for simple cops! The tow driver pleads that he was just doing what he was told.
Wait there's more. They won't let me have the car! Since its a rental, it can only be released to an Alamo representative. ***?!?! Am I supposed to wander the streets all night? I keep yellling. They let me have the car, but act like they are doing me a favor. Oh, and I have to pay them $200 to let them do this favor for me. $150 towing, and $50 for picking the car up after hours.
After hours? They are a 24 hour towing company!
Okay, I'm back where I parked my rental car...and its gone. My hands are beet red and soaked. I can barely get the keys out of my pocket. My shelter is AWOL.
Again, the kindness of strangers saves the day. One of the guys I walked/rode down the hill with offers me a ride. Sorry, I can't remember your name. I'm not staying in Palmdale, but I figure that the Holliday Inn is the best place to find help.
At the Holliday Inn: I call EVERYONE {like said in The Professional}. The two girls at the counter are helpful and understanding. Nobody knows where the car is for a long time. I wait for a CHP car to show up for a while, but I get a call instead. They tell me that the car was towed by.....wait for it.....AV Towing. At one point he says "East Sixth". I hunt the address down in the yellow pages, then I grab a map of Palmdale from the front table.
While I was waiting Nicky Grist walked in the hotel. A small hello really gave me a boost.
Anyway, back to the hunt. I walk to the tow lot, bent on getting the car. You see, my hotel is by LAX. I have to be at the airport by noon. Most of my stuff, including airline tickets, are in the car. I'm on vacation alone, and I just want to get back to Kansas City. When I arrive at the lot, there are two CHP cars there. The tow truck driver is also there. Hrmmmm....I think they are waiting for me.
Within less than 30 seconds I'm shouting at the pigs.:) I think that I was shouting at the actual pig that towed my rental car.:) His defense is that the car was over the white line, therefore it gets towed. Simple laws for simple cops! The tow driver pleads that he was just doing what he was told.
Wait there's more. They won't let me have the car! Since its a rental, it can only be released to an Alamo representative. ***?!?! Am I supposed to wander the streets all night? I keep yellling. They let me have the car, but act like they are doing me a favor. Oh, and I have to pay them $200 to let them do this favor for me. $150 towing, and $50 for picking the car up after hours.
After hours? They are a 24 hour towing company!
| aspera | 05-06-2003 02:54 AM |
Things the CHP could have done...
�
�
1. direct traffic, so that cars were parked how they wanted them
2. write tickets
3. leave a note, so I know that my car has been towed, not stolen. It would be helpful to also give me some hint what company towed the car.
4. make sure I don't die of hypothermia after being stranded in the mountains during a rainstorm
5. move the car so that it IS parked legally. If the car is six inches over some line, why tow it twenty miles? Isn't there somewhere closer?
6. eat cat $hit
2. write tickets
3. leave a note, so I know that my car has been towed, not stolen. It would be helpful to also give me some hint what company towed the car.
4. make sure I don't die of hypothermia after being stranded in the mountains during a rainstorm
5. move the car so that it IS parked legally. If the car is six inches over some line, why tow it twenty miles? Isn't there somewhere closer?
6. eat cat $hit
| OnTheGas | 05-06-2003 04:35 AM |
Call Me Crazy, But That Was Fun!
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That was the weirdest, wettest ROTW yet! I got to meet up with John Felstead, and Glenn Wallace, and "Big Air" Jamie... Over in the Subaru tent before the start of the rally, I ended up chit-chatting w/the Pirelli guy, I had him explain his tire choices, which was interesting...
On Saturday, I was up there on the now infamous Spunky Canyon Spectator area... very thankful that my car was not towed. It was funny up there... the road leads up to this saddle which the stage road runs along, and by the time I got up there, around 3:15P, the wind was howling, the rain was horizontal, and it was cold. So I found a marshall w/a radio, and he told me that he was being told to expect cars around 3:50P. I thought poifect! So I go scramble off, exploring, looking for A) a primo vista point to see as much of the stage as possible, and B) another primo spot which is protected from the wind to warm up near aforementioned spot "A". I saw a couple of guys over on another ridge who had the primo sight lines, but I couldn't figure out how to get there, so I found another ridge w/the 2nd best sight lines, and it was protected from the wind. After about an hour of waiting, no cars and the rain had finally soaked through my hiking boots, and my blue jeans (ponchos are really good in light rain, but not for long in this weather I learned!), and I'm getting cold.
So I start heading down the mountain. Man, the wind was really blowing, and going down, you're walking right into it... Fortunately, I saw some guys getting ready to climb into their black wrx wagon, so I beg a ride, and the driver is real cool, and he says, yeah, I got room for one. Oh man, thank gawd! Just sliding down that road in his scooby was pretty entertaining... I could see why stages were being cancelled.
At the bottom, I walked over to my car and was so cold and muddy, that I started the car, let it idle, cranked the heater up, and then grabbed my sneakers and some dry socks, and climbed in the passenger side, and tried to get my cold, wet fingers to untie my laces... My fingers were barely able to handle the laces... Reminded me of when I was a kid and would play in the snow in our the neighborhood around our St. Louis area home until my fingers began to hurt, then I'd run inside and try to thaw them in the hot water... LOL!
I sat there, warming myself up, and I am watching the CHP and the tow trucks... they were very busy boys... kinda like sharks in a feeding frenzy, constantly doing three point turns down the road near my car, as they would go back up the road looking for more victims... Saw one of the EVO's w/dist license plates, and many a scooby fall victim to these predators... I was too cold to do much but watch, unfortunately...
But back to the good stuff. After I got warmed up, I went down the mountain thru some lovely canyon roads to the Service Area at Lake Hughes. The roads out there, are fantastic! I had just had some new tires installed on my wrx on Friday AM, some Kumho Ecsta MX's, which are supposed to be pretty sticky. The road down was wet, two lane, twisty road... poifect! I finally got the car to slide on these tires, when I found a safe turn to do so... very impressive, very civilized tires, no howling (of course I was in the rain!)... and much stick!
I get to Lake Hughes Service area, and pretty quickly run into some old friends of mine, chit-chat, then I go check out the Subaru / Prodrive set-up, w/their three tents... one each for the two cars, plus one tent in between for tables to put the engineer's laptops on... So go into the tents, looking under the cars, trying to peer over the shoulders of the engineers, looking into the back of the trucks, very impressive lay-out. I come back out, and my friend says, jeez! what were you doing back there? Do they let you back there? And I said w/a grin, yeah, I own a wrx, so they said it is ok for me to that!
So then I check out Ralliart's EVO's, and AV Sports WRX's, talk to someone at Tim O'Neil's Focus area about what hell type of focus they are driving (cosworth engine pumped w/a turbo and AWD)... Ahh! No wonder she's fast!
Then I see subie gal roll thru, so I follow her car back to where the poor people get to service their cars! Her car is looking good, so her strategy of relaxing, and just finishing is paying off... her Burnsie car only has a snout full of mud and sand, but no apparent damage. Jamie is grousing about the last stage, Grass Mtn I believe, being pretty hairy (my words), and not fun (her words) because the road is draped across a ridgeline for miles, and was very sloppy and muddy, and much exposure...
I don't volunteer to help John, and her crew, because I'm still wet and cold from the spunky mountain ordeal about half hour before, so pretty quickly I make myself scarce...
I leave and go back to ground zero, aka the Pelona Vista Park, to see the ramp and champagne ceremony... Very weird scene, four cars, no five cars I think, the drivers, a few press people armed w/cameras, a few volunteers, the announcer, a dozen normal folks like myself... but when those boys opened the champagne, despite the cold, damp conditions, they did not hesitate to spray anyone that was near.
I had spoken w/Porsche914boxer4 on the highway at Spunky, and he had suggested that I go down to the rally hq, which was the local Holiday Inn, (the nicest hotel in Palmdale!), and have a drink at the bar w/everyone... That sounded good, so I headed over, but all I see are these folks w/either blue or red clothes and english accents, yucking it up at the bar... no one else is there yet, so I blow out of there.
But the best part was Friday... there was a really good vendor fair, and I was able to talk w/some folks that I've always wanted to talk to... It really was fantastic, except the weather started change from sunny, cool and windy, to cloudy and windy to wet and windy...
I watched the ceremonial special spectator stage, which as was mentioned was essing thru some hay bales on a jogging path in this park... Nonetheless, I noticed that this lovely, pristine Audi TT was really fast thru there... Unfortunately for Subie Gal, they were in her class, and they were apparently very fast on the special stages, too, as those boys won the class.
Friday AM, as I mentioned, I had new tires installed on my car, so I decided to take the scenic route into Palmdale by taking Angeles Crest Hwy thru the Angeles Mountain range, down into Palmdale. I was bebopping along, come around a corner and see a big CHP P/U truck... and a big tow truck who is pulling a rolled lincoln back over onto its rubber side... the lincoln did just roll over, it look like it had rolled down the mountain... Hmmm... That was the first of three roll-overs I saw this weekend... One was some honda or something near lake hughes service area on Saturday, and there was another roll-over (an SUV, hooray!) that I saw on my way back from the Lake Hughes Service Area saturday evening.
Friday morning in the mountains, I was taking fairly easy, not much over the speed limit, only pushing it a little in the corners. Then a couple of cars came flying up... pushing it pretty hard, so I pulled over in a turn-out right-away, and let them pass, since my pace was holding them up. One car was some sort of japanese coupe... which I didn't recognize, so I assumed it was jdm and fast. The other guy was following in a CRX w/some wide tires, clean and fast looking... Both drivers were on attack. So I caught up to them, and ran with them for awhile. MX's are fairly forgiving, yet sticky... a nice combo for street.
And then coming back home Friday night, I was driving in the rain, and enjoyed it, thanks to the new tires which didn't float at all... I followed the rally cars to the first stage, in the rain, over the freeway, over a lovely canyon road. I love the way that rally driver will drive canyon roads... they aren't supposed to go over the speed limit, so they don't... much, but they don't slow down much for corners either. :D So it is fun to follow those guys in the canyons... hang back, not harrass them, but just pace them for fun.
Instead of following the rally cars up to watch the stage, I had to go, so I continued up that canyon road to get home... That canyon, Sand Canyon, is one tight and twisty mofo... rocks were falling on the roadway, mostly all blind corners, some of it so tight that 1st gear was appropriate, and it was better to drive by fog lights rather than high beams...
It was great! Thank you Subaru West, SOA, the Gibeaus, and SCCA!
On Saturday, I was up there on the now infamous Spunky Canyon Spectator area... very thankful that my car was not towed. It was funny up there... the road leads up to this saddle which the stage road runs along, and by the time I got up there, around 3:15P, the wind was howling, the rain was horizontal, and it was cold. So I found a marshall w/a radio, and he told me that he was being told to expect cars around 3:50P. I thought poifect! So I go scramble off, exploring, looking for A) a primo vista point to see as much of the stage as possible, and B) another primo spot which is protected from the wind to warm up near aforementioned spot "A". I saw a couple of guys over on another ridge who had the primo sight lines, but I couldn't figure out how to get there, so I found another ridge w/the 2nd best sight lines, and it was protected from the wind. After about an hour of waiting, no cars and the rain had finally soaked through my hiking boots, and my blue jeans (ponchos are really good in light rain, but not for long in this weather I learned!), and I'm getting cold.
So I start heading down the mountain. Man, the wind was really blowing, and going down, you're walking right into it... Fortunately, I saw some guys getting ready to climb into their black wrx wagon, so I beg a ride, and the driver is real cool, and he says, yeah, I got room for one. Oh man, thank gawd! Just sliding down that road in his scooby was pretty entertaining... I could see why stages were being cancelled.
At the bottom, I walked over to my car and was so cold and muddy, that I started the car, let it idle, cranked the heater up, and then grabbed my sneakers and some dry socks, and climbed in the passenger side, and tried to get my cold, wet fingers to untie my laces... My fingers were barely able to handle the laces... Reminded me of when I was a kid and would play in the snow in our the neighborhood around our St. Louis area home until my fingers began to hurt, then I'd run inside and try to thaw them in the hot water... LOL!
I sat there, warming myself up, and I am watching the CHP and the tow trucks... they were very busy boys... kinda like sharks in a feeding frenzy, constantly doing three point turns down the road near my car, as they would go back up the road looking for more victims... Saw one of the EVO's w/dist license plates, and many a scooby fall victim to these predators... I was too cold to do much but watch, unfortunately...
But back to the good stuff. After I got warmed up, I went down the mountain thru some lovely canyon roads to the Service Area at Lake Hughes. The roads out there, are fantastic! I had just had some new tires installed on my wrx on Friday AM, some Kumho Ecsta MX's, which are supposed to be pretty sticky. The road down was wet, two lane, twisty road... poifect! I finally got the car to slide on these tires, when I found a safe turn to do so... very impressive, very civilized tires, no howling (of course I was in the rain!)... and much stick!
I get to Lake Hughes Service area, and pretty quickly run into some old friends of mine, chit-chat, then I go check out the Subaru / Prodrive set-up, w/their three tents... one each for the two cars, plus one tent in between for tables to put the engineer's laptops on... So go into the tents, looking under the cars, trying to peer over the shoulders of the engineers, looking into the back of the trucks, very impressive lay-out. I come back out, and my friend says, jeez! what were you doing back there? Do they let you back there? And I said w/a grin, yeah, I own a wrx, so they said it is ok for me to that!
So then I check out Ralliart's EVO's, and AV Sports WRX's, talk to someone at Tim O'Neil's Focus area about what hell type of focus they are driving (cosworth engine pumped w/a turbo and AWD)... Ahh! No wonder she's fast!
Then I see subie gal roll thru, so I follow her car back to where the poor people get to service their cars! Her car is looking good, so her strategy of relaxing, and just finishing is paying off... her Burnsie car only has a snout full of mud and sand, but no apparent damage. Jamie is grousing about the last stage, Grass Mtn I believe, being pretty hairy (my words), and not fun (her words) because the road is draped across a ridgeline for miles, and was very sloppy and muddy, and much exposure...
I don't volunteer to help John, and her crew, because I'm still wet and cold from the spunky mountain ordeal about half hour before, so pretty quickly I make myself scarce...
I leave and go back to ground zero, aka the Pelona Vista Park, to see the ramp and champagne ceremony... Very weird scene, four cars, no five cars I think, the drivers, a few press people armed w/cameras, a few volunteers, the announcer, a dozen normal folks like myself... but when those boys opened the champagne, despite the cold, damp conditions, they did not hesitate to spray anyone that was near.
I had spoken w/Porsche914boxer4 on the highway at Spunky, and he had suggested that I go down to the rally hq, which was the local Holiday Inn, (the nicest hotel in Palmdale!), and have a drink at the bar w/everyone... That sounded good, so I headed over, but all I see are these folks w/either blue or red clothes and english accents, yucking it up at the bar... no one else is there yet, so I blow out of there.
But the best part was Friday... there was a really good vendor fair, and I was able to talk w/some folks that I've always wanted to talk to... It really was fantastic, except the weather started change from sunny, cool and windy, to cloudy and windy to wet and windy...
I watched the ceremonial special spectator stage, which as was mentioned was essing thru some hay bales on a jogging path in this park... Nonetheless, I noticed that this lovely, pristine Audi TT was really fast thru there... Unfortunately for Subie Gal, they were in her class, and they were apparently very fast on the special stages, too, as those boys won the class.
Friday AM, as I mentioned, I had new tires installed on my car, so I decided to take the scenic route into Palmdale by taking Angeles Crest Hwy thru the Angeles Mountain range, down into Palmdale. I was bebopping along, come around a corner and see a big CHP P/U truck... and a big tow truck who is pulling a rolled lincoln back over onto its rubber side... the lincoln did just roll over, it look like it had rolled down the mountain... Hmmm... That was the first of three roll-overs I saw this weekend... One was some honda or something near lake hughes service area on Saturday, and there was another roll-over (an SUV, hooray!) that I saw on my way back from the Lake Hughes Service Area saturday evening.
Friday morning in the mountains, I was taking fairly easy, not much over the speed limit, only pushing it a little in the corners. Then a couple of cars came flying up... pushing it pretty hard, so I pulled over in a turn-out right-away, and let them pass, since my pace was holding them up. One car was some sort of japanese coupe... which I didn't recognize, so I assumed it was jdm and fast. The other guy was following in a CRX w/some wide tires, clean and fast looking... Both drivers were on attack. So I caught up to them, and ran with them for awhile. MX's are fairly forgiving, yet sticky... a nice combo for street.
And then coming back home Friday night, I was driving in the rain, and enjoyed it, thanks to the new tires which didn't float at all... I followed the rally cars to the first stage, in the rain, over the freeway, over a lovely canyon road. I love the way that rally driver will drive canyon roads... they aren't supposed to go over the speed limit, so they don't... much, but they don't slow down much for corners either. :D So it is fun to follow those guys in the canyons... hang back, not harrass them, but just pace them for fun.
Instead of following the rally cars up to watch the stage, I had to go, so I continued up that canyon road to get home... That canyon, Sand Canyon, is one tight and twisty mofo... rocks were falling on the roadway, mostly all blind corners, some of it so tight that 1st gear was appropriate, and it was better to drive by fog lights rather than high beams...
It was great! Thank you Subaru West, SOA, the Gibeaus, and SCCA!
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