Second Hand Roads – Event Report By Ed Sain

Second Hand Roads – Event Report By Ed Sain (SJR-SCCA)
A different day, a different rally. Our first event of the year was the Winter Challenge, 220 miles of brisk TSD during the day and night on unpaved Vermont roads (which we ran in our 2015 Highlander). We decided our second event of the year would be a low pressure, daytime drive in and around northern New Jersey. Leaving all our normal rally gear at home (no tow ropes, flares, fire extinguisher, tools, air compressor, etc.), we were going to take the 1995 Toyota Celica GT convertible to the event. I wanted to run the event with the top down and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. However, based on the weather forecast for rain, took the 2017 RAV4 to the event instead. There were actually two versions to the same event- a SCCA divisional (which we ran) and a SCCA regional (which almost all of the entrants ran).
Two-hour drive from the shore to the starting location (which was a nice mid-morning start—did not have to leave home before the sun came up!). Filled up the gas tank at the local Wawa and proceeded to the registration area—really well run as usual at the Subaru dealership.
Section 1
The advertised 75-mile event (which was actually 81.01 miles but whose counting) started off with a 12-mile odometer check. Although our car entry (#30) was next to last, we left the start before anyone else to wait for all the rallyists at the end of the odometer check. I spoke with every team at the end of the odometer check (everyone made it this far without any issues), reminded the teams to re-zero their odometer (a few of the teams really needed that reminder), and wished them luck in the event. [Note: Believe route instruction 8 misspelled the sign]. [Engineers note: High tension power lines are correctly called high voltage power lines].
The event was broken up into three sections with each subsequent section getting harder and harder. The Rallymaster provided the mileage and the correct arrival time for both of the timed controls in the first leg of the first section that was only 2.502 miles in length with only one turn between controls. Great way to acclimatize the first timers and beginners on how a TSD event works.
The next leg in the section had a couple of free zones within the 13.374 miles. Once again, a mileage and key time was provided to each turn and to each of the seven timed controls. Since the beginners were given an idea on how it all works in the first leg, the second leg was longer—so you had to concentrate a little longer as well.
The third leg in the section was a shorter 6.803 miles with four timed controls ending at a farm nature preserve that provided for a 15 minute break to catch your breath and re-group. Once again, mileages and key times to all the turns and timed controls.
Section 2
The first leg in the second section was 10.14 miles and provided mileages and key times to all the turns. Mileages were provided to the nine controls but not the key time. You could, however, compute the key time in advance knowing the CAS and the mileage if you were so inclined. Since that required some math skills, not sure how beginners actually did any computations. We did the math during the 15 minute rest period.
The second leg in the second section was only 7.042 miles and was similar to the previous leg with mileages and key times to everything but no key times to the three controls.
The third leg in the second section of 8.123 miles had mileages and key times to all of the turns. By now, everyone has an idea on how the TSD rally works. So now there are no mileages or key times to the five timed controls. After this “hard” part, everyone gets a 20 minute break at the TA Travel Center for rest rooms, food and/or gas. [Note: This TA Travel Center seems to be a favorite spot of rallymasters].
Section 3
After the break, you start the last leg and section of the event. This 20 mile portion continued with no mileages or key times to the 12 timed controls. Good scores in this section required computation of times as the miles progressed. We liked this section the best since you had to do “real rally stuff” to get top notch scores. The only bad part in this section was the damn intermittent rain showers.
The rally ended at Tiptons Tavern. Unfortunately, we only had time for a congratulatory beer and only stayed for the awards presentation. Family commitments and navigator obligations required us to be back at the Jersey Shore by 6:00 PM. [Note: We did get back in time, barely]. Would really liked to have stayed a while and mingle with the new folks.
There were four teams entered in the divisional event; there were 13 teams entered in the regional event (including three first time rally teams). We did manage to win the overall event with a score of 55—although driver inattention cost us 13 points at one control. Promise to pay more attention next time. First place in the divisional Stock class went to Brian Stanton/Casey Impagliazzo (hope I spelled that right) with 290 points. First place in the regional event Novice class went to Doug Robinson/Susanne Robinson with 107 points (a really good score that beat a former SCCA national champion); in the Seat of Pants (SOP) class first place went to Michael Acebo/Kyle Acebo with 145 points; in the Beginner class first place went to Lisa Ruano/Jim Morris with 412 points.
At the moment, our next planned event will be going out to Ohio for the US Road Rally Challenge during 10-12 October to participate in three events over three days. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the Toys for Tots rally event on December 14, 2025—a worthwhile charity event with almost no pressure (but still a competition).

May 4th, 2025

Start Location: Subaru World of Hackettstown –  364 Rte 46 W, Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Price: $35/$45 per vehicle

This is a 75 mile straight forward Tour Rally with easy-to-follow instructions. The event will start at Subaru World of Hackettstown and end at Tiptons Tavern, Phillipsburg, NJ. The rally is designed so that newcomers to the sport can easily complete the course with all turn instructions supported with official mileage and associated Car Zero ‘Key Times’.

Participants will check-in at Subaru World of Hackettstown 10:00 and 10:45 to receive their route Instructions which will include turn-by-turn directions, before setting out in their personal vehicles to drive the route. The rally will conclude at approximately 3:30 p.m.

This is a “Tour” type rally and there are no traps or tricks – just drive, enjoy the great roads and marvelous scenery and try to arrive at each checkpoint at precisely the right time. Checkpoints will be set up along the way to monitor how well you are following the assigned average speeds. Awards will be presented to the teams who do the best job of arriving at the checkpoints at the proper times. This is a rally designed especially for people with little or no rally experience.

For those wishing to compete for SCCA National RoadRally Series points a Divisional event will be offered, for those looking to enjoy an afternoon of friendly competition the Regional event is for you.

The Richta GPS checkpoint system is free to use and will record your arrival time at each checkpoint. You’ll keep this app open while you run the rally and it will use the GPS signal from your device to record your arrival time at each checkpoint. Once you pass a checkpoint, the app will automatically calculate your score for that checkpoint and announce it to you! No more waiting for the end of the rally to see how you did. You’ll see your score at each checkpoint as you go along.

General Instructions and details about the Richta Smartphone App will be emailed to all registered contestants 1 week prior to the event.

Registration – Link