[Speed Ball]

I'm heading up to Rim for the first time this year and was looking for some advice on spectating and the event in general. Since the new set up, it looks to me that spectating will generaly be in bleechers on super special stages. I'd like to know if this is going to close off spectating from track side stages. And anyhting else anyone has to offer, I want to get the full experience of it all.

 

[Pat McMahon]

For 2004 Rim will have one super special stage on Friday night and three more during the day on Saturday.In addition,all servicing will be at the new Antelope Valley Fairground facility. Our intent is to have plenty of activities for the rally fan to see.There will be two "at-the-stage" spectator areas on Saturday,but none on Friday.These areas will feature shuttle buses to transport rally fans"out and back." Further details regarding spectator areas will be posted on the Rim website as the event draws closer.We would love to see you there!
Pat McMahon
Clerk of the Cousrse
Rim 2004

 

[Speed Ball]

Thanks for the help

 

[nKoan]

Only two "at the stage" spectator areas. Thats a tad disappointing. Will we be able to spectate at other stages, without the nifty bus transport? Or are we limited to just those two?

 

[Pat McMahon]

The two spectator areas will be the only ones you will be able to access,besides the fairgrounds super specials.Unfortunately,problems with overcrowding on Friday night,and the infamous towing incident on Saturday have caused us to reevaluate our spectator areas.There are several things we are trying to avoid: safety issues,negative law enforcement impact,overcrowding,and the possiblity of stage closures such as you have seen on WRC events. Everything seems to have it's drawbacks and compromises,but it seemed the best avenue for 2004 was to take better control of the spectator areas by limiting their numbers and access.This was not our first choice,but it seems to be the most manageable.The last thing we want to do is tell someone they can't watch our show,but the increasing popularity of rallying is not without it's growing pains.And the answer to your next question is yes,we will be charging for this format.We have to pay for the shuttle buses somehow.I am not sure what the dollar amount will be just yet.I personally always admired the idea that rallying was one of the last remaining pro motorsports that can be viewed for free,but this seems to be the best method of making sure everybody does enjoy what they came to see.
Pat McMahon
Clerk of the Course
Rim of the World Rally

 

[Crash]

Perhaps Denise would suggest that if they can not spectate, they could sign up to work some stages???
:+

 

[Texrex]

whats the superspecial stage going to look like? Jumps/water splashes?

 

[Ray Hocker]

Well spoken, Pat.

Let me pipe in with my two cents worth. Rim 2004 offers more quality rally viewing than ever before.

Last year Rim provided two spectator locations Friday night. Neither provided quality viewing or easy access and both took place in the dark. This year, we replaced these locations with an exciting daylight running of the super special stage with grandstands seating! On Saturday, we have the same number of spectator locations in the forest as last year. Plus, we added three additional chances to watch the rally teams go at it side-by-side on the super special stage.

Beyond the costs for shuttle buses to transport our guests from safe parking to the viewing locations, we are also faced with stringent new requirements for spectator safety. This means additional safety marshals, EMTs, additional communications, portable restrooms, uniformed law enforcement, and parking marshals. It all cost money... lots of money.

I agree with Pat and I would love to preserve one of the last bastions of free motor sport entertainment. Altruism aside, there are only two ways to pay for the new safety requirements. One is to pass the increased costs to the competitors and the other is to ask spectators to cover the cost of their entertainment and recreation. For this reason, we are charging a fee for all spectator locations at Rim this year.

Everyone at Rim is committed to providing a quality, and safe spectating opportunity for rally enthusiasts. We are also working hard to reach out to those that have not yet experienced our sport by giving them a chance to see it in a familiar and perhaps ?less threatening?, accessible, and comfortable venue.

For the cost of admission to a local county fair ($10-$15), spectators, friends, and sponsors will be able to enjoy a full day entertainment and one of the most exciting motor sports on the planet. Hopefully rally fans will enjoy the show and rally teams will benefit from the increased value this can bring to their sponsors and supporters.

Ray Hocker
Chairman, Rim of the World Rally

 

[nKoan]

I totally understand, and I don't mean to say your decisions were wrong in any way, but its still a bummer for me. You have to do what you have to do to keep this rally running, and I greatly appreciate that. I don't mind paying a small fee either, to see the parc expose, vendors and the super special. With rallying growing as it is, I understand its getting harder and harder to accomodate the extra people without charging a little extra.

Last year wasn't much fun for me (on the stages). I love the parc expose, but the stages did seem too crowded, and with all the extra cars, we had to walk quite an quite far (not even counting the disaster that was spunky canyon last year). FYI, I spectated on SS2 on Friday (Angels canyon I think?) and tried to get up to Spunky canyon and also tried to get to the final night stage. Those are also the stages I was able to get to with few problems the year earlier.

Are any of previous years stages going to be run? Or are they all new with the move north to Lancaster? If old stages are going to be run (and they are spectator stages), can you drop some names?

I'm totally looking forward to this years RIM, and I've already got my hotel room booked

Again, I want to say thanks for all your hard work.

 

[nKoan]

Is the fee going to be for all three days? (sub-question, is there going to be spectator type stuff happening on all three days?) Also, is there a way to buy tickets early online? If you are expecting lots of spectators, I'd like to reserve my spot early.

Thanks!

 

[Denise McMahon]

I have to totally agree with Pat and what Ray Hocker said. It is last of the grassroot sports where spectators do not have to use their whole paycheck to watch a sporting event. This year it will be exciting with a different approach on staging a rally here in the United States, but there will be so much going on wherever you go either at the spectator stages or at the fairgrounds.

But the best way to see it way upfront and close is to work the event by working the super special stages or the spectator stages or even better yet learn a stage control (be a stage control worker)at our training class in April and we will ahve that information on the worker newsletter and/or website very soon. I am finalizing worker hotels this week getting blocked rooms at a special rate compared as to what they are charging on the regular rate. So as I say again the best way to see it ....IS TO VOLUNTEER. We will be giving all kinds of goodies this year to the workers. Plus some worker drawings for prizes as well.

So just go online and get registered! Or e-mail me and we will discuss your interest. ([email protected])

So don't just sit there and read this and not do anything...get on the computer and register as a worker!

Do note we have enough sweep vehicles and we DO need ham communication workers...so if you have the proper communication equipment then get on the website and register.

Also there are other areas that need volunteers as well. So look over the list and choose.

Denise McMahon
Director of Volunteer
Subaru Rim of the World ProRally
Team Manager
Widget Rally Team

 

[tom grossmann]

As a volunteer you'll get VIP parking on the stages , entry into the super specials. If you work tech you get to nose around in rally cars as well. Having worked Rim for the last 8 years it is THE way to spectate.
Tom Grossmann , Las Vegas

 

[Lurch]

Bravo! I know it goes against what rally spectating has always been in this country, but to see an organizer charge a FAIR fee for spectating is one of the first steps towards making this sport PROFITABLE (its not a dirty word) for the organizers. Best of luck. I will be there to see the action, for sure!

 

[JC_595]

In what capacity Lurch? RTV media mogul, or Mazda driver?

Any hints?

JC
#595
www.gnimotorsports.com

 

[Racer5]

I just wanted to chime in and say that I think it is fine to charge a fee for viewing a rally.

At the last WRC event, the one with the snow, spectators were charged about ten bucks per stage! Same thing at the service area, ten bucks. The estimated attendance to be around 250,000(!!!) over the three days. It is the highest attended sporting event in Sweden. Do you think they broke even?

Charles
Viva le MR2 #295!!!

 

[KevinG5Hahn]

Its been $35.00 a person to go the the PPIHC every year, that seems steep but it gets you to all the practices and qualifying sessions all week long. Its been going on as long as I can remember...

 

[Ray Hocker]

If Sweden got $10 a stage for their snow this year, Sno*Drift should have gotten $30!
That's it were moving our rally to February!

Ray Hocker
Chairman, Rim of the World Rally