2009 Rally #4
The Fall Rally - Brats at Big Canoe - November 1, 2009
The 2009 version of our annual Brats at Big Canoe rally was a resounding
success, thanks to lots of volunteer help, lots of intrepid entrants, and great
weather on the first day of November. 27 cars arrived at the rally start, the
palatial King estate in suburban Cumming, and all made it to the party at Big
Canoe--although several teams invented tricks that the rallymaster had not
intended. I had expected many teams to come into Checkpoint 4 backwards, since I
used a clever trick stolen from Chris Gellner, but I did not expect anyone to
come into Checkpoint 1 and 2 backwards--but once again clever rallyists find
traps where none were intended. In any event, all the teams made it through some
scenic countryside, enjoyed some glorious fall colors, and got to the finish at
Big Canoe where the Brats feed was underway.The feast was coordinated by our Big Canoe hosts Lauren Grant and Karen Lowe, assisted by Janice Phillips with her outstanding German potato salad and Paul Phillips with his expertise on the grill. We were joined on the rally by several members of the Big Canoe Car Club, many of whom had attended a rally school the previous weekend put on by Lauren; maybe that's why everyone found their way to Big Canoe? When the scores were tabulated the winners in Tour were Jeff Richter and Dawn Klingheil with a total penalty over the 5 legs of a very respectable 173; in the SOP Class, first place went to James Lyle running solo (!) with a meager 34 penalty points; second place went to Chris & Barbara Gellner with 66 points, and third went to Phil & Keith Bullinger with only 84 points---excellent scores for a rally that, while only about 60 miles long, included 5 legs.
There is no way to verify the rumor that many of the entrants came out because they knew that Jack Baker had not written this rally, but the event would not have been the success it was without the help of a lot of willing volunteers; in addition to providing the rally start location in their lovely home Brian & Lisa King picked up the food and delivered it to Big Canoe, Lisa helped with registration as did Lori Clarkin, Brian helped to check the cars in and get them numbered, Checkpoints 1 & 2 were staffed by Jack Baker, Greg & Maggie Reszutek, Debbie Sullivan, Danny & Cathy Saxton, Bob Clark, & David Ulfik; at Checkpoint 4 I was assisted by Tom & Brian Roy, Sue Pollard & Bert Chapman, and Hal & Nancy Bayless, and the scoring crew consisted of Jack Baker, Ron Cordell, Danny Saxton, Chris Gellner, and Paul Phillips with an occasional assist from the rallymaster. Several entrants brought desserts for all to enjoy (for some reason Ed & Jeannie Cave wanted to send the brownies to Big Canoe with someone else--I guess Ed didn't want to hold them while driving) and there was some leftover Halloween candy as well.
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Official rally start was 2:01, and the final cleanup was finished by Karen & Lauren by slightly after 7:00 PM; a very successful end to the 2009 Peachstate rally season, thanks again to all the workers and to all the entrants!
- Dick Kjellsen
Rally Results:
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