I only attended the final two events of the year but I'd like to thank James, Ross, Doug and all the others who worked to make everything run very smoothly. Provided my work schedule (and brownie points) permits I'll be sure to try and make it out for more events next year.

Here's my video from last weekend's rallycross, and 3 clips at the end of testing out the jump for the Rally of the Tall Pines Golton spectator stage.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hE-95ojyPUY

Some simple questions:

Is there a membership?

If I bring a cheque to onsite registration, after registering online, will I be charged $50 or $70?

Is there a large likelihood of damage? I do autocross, (never even hit a pylon) so this is an interesting option, for winter fun, just so long as I don't destroy my car.

Is the naturally-aspirated class competitive, with stock Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS wagons? I've seen several Subaru 2.5 RSs, but none from 2005, I don't have a clue about which mods, and whether it's a wagon or not. Help?

Lastly, do you recommend "armor-plating" the underside of the car? Will there be large stones big enough to destroy parts of the under-body? Do you recommend I wear my racing suit with my helmet?

Andrew Geier wrote on 11/18/12 at 05:47:23:


1. Becoming a MLRC member reduces the cost but not required.

2. I don't know.

3. Less chance of damge in the winter, however you can hurt your car if you are not careful. I tore the exhaust of mine one time, but it was easily repaired.

4. Any AWD Subaru can be competitive in Class 3 (NA - AWD), however rally-X is more about the driver and less about the car. I had a 97 Outback and I did okay, but I was routinely beat by a guy in an Outback Sport with a 2.2 (he could beat me by 10s on a 2 min run!). Class 1 guys beat me without AWD. Technique is critical. Impreza's are probably more competitive due to less weight.

5. I recommend a skid plate to protect your oil pan and transmission, but the track is mostly sandy. You will have to be much more careful without a skid plate. The rest of the car is normally fine.

6. You don't need a racing suit.

DC

I grabbed a decent size aluminum skidplate off a fellow that ran rally-X before. I have adapted it to two different Subaru's now. It is just a flat 1/4 plate aluminum.

On my 02 WRX (which would be probably the same as your RS), it is bolted to the bottom of the rad support and to the thing that is mounted on the cross member (I think it is supposed to dampen vibration) right below the power steering lines. It is even has threaded holes in it! On the front I used half of a scrap aluminum door sill from work so that it has a rising lip so that it doesn't get stuck on anything.

It is bolted on so that it can be pulled off to change oil etc.

BTW - there are some rocks and different surfaces on the course - so it is not all sand.

Andrew,  if you just want to join the Club you can fill out the form on the website and your good...

If you want to meet with a member of the executive to ask questions to before joining we will all be around at Pines... 3 of us are competing (James, John and Bruce) and Phil and myself are working.

I am doing VIP and I will be around Friday night handling registration and early Saturday morning. Come find me if you want.

Otherwise see you in January.

Derek.