Sandblast Rally

SimonWright · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:28 pm

Sandblast Rally is only a few weeks away on Saturday Feb 9!

Volunteering is a great way to see the action up close and personal and you get to go to the official post-rally party! Anders is always looking for extra help. Visit the web site above for more details.

Come on down for a great time.

Kieran and I will be running the Focus.
Matt Smith is finally getting his XR4Ti back in the game.
Matthew Johnson is returning to his home turf for the rally too!

See you there.

Simon

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

We'll be there doing photography. Staying at Days Inn. Who else? Whatcha doin? Wherya stayin?

Let's get together for Mexican Friday night!

Carl Fisher · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:58 am

Emmie and I will be there. Emmie will be working, plus maybe doing some other stuff (still waiting on Anders). I'll be either working or codriving (still waiting on Frick).

I second what Simon said- working as a course marshal beats the hell out of spectating and also is critical to making the event happen. You count!

Bowie Gray Jr · **Joined:** Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:31 am **Posts:** 98

The whole gang from Conover Motor Sports will be there, working moto sweep and cheering on the cars with our work in them!

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:07 pm

we plan to be there yet again. in our red 4x2 truck

working, mi gusto mucho, la comeda mexicana

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Thu Jan 24, 2008 11:03 pm

if i get to go.. i will be solo.. can i hang with one of you guys for the day.
i dont wanna be alone ALL day, i'll be lonely. i plan to work, but i dont plan to be alone all day. it is far off yet. but that is the plan, fri eve i will be at the monster jam at RBC centre. GRAVE DIGGER! but, we can think about it at the kart night. or at the rallycross..

kevin: la fiesta tapitia is one possibillity.

Carl Fisher · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:20 pm

Emmie and I have an extra double bed in our room at the Econolodge for Friday and Saturday nights (Feb 8-9). We would like to offer it to any non-snoring person or persons who would be willing to split the cost with us. Preference to those who will stay both Friday and Saturday nights.

We will be working the stages and would be happy to have y'all on our team. We should be able to spectate at least 1 stage in addition to whatever stage(s) we are operating. And of course workers get free t-shirts, trinkets, and food and beer at the awards party after. Come join us!

Pete Guthrie · **Posted:** Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:03 pm

im told i dont snore much, however i don't so much talk in my sleep, however my dog sleeps with me normally. and ive been known to tell the dog,who of course is not with me, to move over or something. i am somewhat of a fitful sleeper at times, so having a bed that is solo for me would be wise.
usually, after a drink or two, im usually good to go for being out like a light.
after being out in the cold, i most certainly will be tired enough, what is the cost for the room?

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:31 am

All the other THSCC folks not going to Sandblast will be at VIR.

Good luck to Simon and all!

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:51 pm

I'll be there, due in part to Emmie's convincing that I would have a ton of fun, but I'll be down and back on Saturday.

Can't wait to see the USUK Fukus in action!!!!

Carl Fisher · **Posted:** Sun Feb 10, 2008 6:53 pm

Had a great time this weekend- the weather was perfect, they had a great turnout (31 cars and 51 bikes), the bikes were cool, and got to see lots of Tarheel folks out there. First off, congrats to Simon and Kieran who continued their 100% event completion rate and took 3rd in Rally Spec Focus class in the process. 2nd in RSF was ex-club rallyXer Andrew Frick. I'm not sure if he's a club member or not yet (if not I think he will soon be), but crazy man rallyXer John Thomas finished 10th overall in his very first rally, out of a field of 31. Great drive, John!

Club members (and former members) were even better represented among the workers. On Emmie's and my team we had Eric and Ed Adams, Robert Goodwin (who pulled half my team up one soft, deep, sandy hill on our morning stage), Todd Breakey, and David Edwards. Cosby Wood was on Mark Hoerath's team, and Rob Bergstrom was another stage captain. Kevin and Christine were there taking pictures. My apologies if I forgot anyone!

Results are up already at the Sandblast site, no pictures yet though. BTW, the winning bike would have finished 2nd overall, which is really amazing considering how much more stability the cars have in the corners and the deep sand. In fact 4 of the top 10 combined times went to bikes! :shock:

Rally organizer and former club member Anders Green offered free entry to any bike entrant from the cancelled Dakar Rally, and 4 took him up on the offer. Even though the big desert racing bikes weren't really well suited to the twisty roads of the Sandhills, 1 of them finished 4th among the bikes, and 3 of the 4 finished among the top 15 bikes.

All in all, a great time, and looking forward to next year.

Anyone else have stories?

ChuckNelson · **Posted:** Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:44 pm

USUK in GrassRoots online,
Seventh picture down:
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/news/c ... 7-saab-99/

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

Some of the photos are now up, including all of mine.

http://sandblastrally.com/2008/pictures.php

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 10:03 am

I'll be sending my pics to Anders soon. I was only able to get good shots during SS4 as it was just too dark to get anything handheld on SS7.

I had an awesome time. You could say I had a "Blast!" Thank you Emmie for convincing me to come down and work the event. I wasn't sure I was going to be able to make it. Between getting up late, not having any gas in the car, and then it running hot during the drive down, I was very tempted to just turn around and go back to bed. I'm glad I didn't!!!!

I'll be back next year for sure!!!!

When I get home I'll post a cool pic I got of the USUK car after they got unstuck from the sand pit.

SimonWright · **Posted:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 1:20 pm

Great pictures Kevin. Thanks!

And thank you to everyone who came down to help. Without all your hard work we couldn't be out there dodging trees and having fun.

Hope we gave you a good show.

Simon

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