Here is an excellent way to experience Time/Speed/Distance (TSD) rally in Southern California. I did this event a several times with my VW and I'm looking forward to doing it with the MINI.


WHAT:
A high quality Navigational (Time/Speed/Distance) Rally.

WHEN:
The First Friday Night of EVERY MONTH! (That includes the 4th of July) Registration is open from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A Beginners Meeting (a brief introduction for newcomers) will be held at 7:45 p.m. First car starts at 8:01 p.m.; cars leave at 1-minute intervals.

WHERE:
The Bank of America rear parking lot, on Devonshire St., just east of Sepulveda Blvd., in Mission Hills (North San Fernando Valley), 1/2 mile east of Interstate 405; use the Devonshire St. exit. From Orange County or Downtown L.A., take Interstate 5 North to California 118 West; exit at Sepulveda Blvd, turn left, go 1/2 mile south, go left at Devonshire, then go left into the 2nd driveway on your left.

PRICE:
The entry fee is $10.00, which includes a souvenir dashplaque.

AWARDS:
Trophies are awarded to the top finishers in each class of competition. Trophies are presented at the finish!

LENGTH:
Each rally covers 50 to 75 miles, mostly on fun-to-drive country roads! Each rally is designed to be completed in about 2 hours.

BRING:
You will need paper and pencil/pen, an interior reading light and a watch or clock with a second hand; a stopwatch and a clipboard will be helpful. A valid driver license and proof of current liability insurance are required. Your vehicle must meet safety standards (e.g., lights, brakes, windshield wipers and horn must work).

WHY:
The object of a Navigational rally is to follow the rally course at the assigned (legal) speeds and to arrive at each checkpoint on time; not early, not late. Your score on each leg of the rally is based on how early or late you arrive at each checkpoint. Most months' events include traps, which may cause you to arrive at the wrong time; however, in some months, your score depends solely on your own driving and navigating skills.

WHO:
Santa Monica Sports Car Club is one of Southern California's most experienced rally organizations. Among its members are nationally known SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) rally champions.


To Learn More About TSD Rally Click Here

If you haven't done TSD rally before it's a great time. It turns out that in TSD the most critical job is the Navigator. Also, you can have more than one navigator, but there are no promises that having more heads in the car will make the situation on the road any better as people differ on what to do.

Dave

 

I'm planning on doing December's First Friday Nighter (12.05.03) and I may need someone to either navigate or drive. I'll know for sure tomorrow.

Any other MINI owners interested in participating?

Dave

 

Clover and Me are doing this tonight. Anyone else coming?

 

would do it, but need a navigator...definitely not attempting ths one alone like the poker rally

 

Actually, they won't let you do it alone. You need to have a navigator.

 

lounytoon: I just found out that Clover is sick and can't make it.

Would you like to meet at the Bank of America and do the rally together?

Dave

 

I remember doing these years back on Long Island growning up.
My best guess it that we were.... 18-20
The only prereq. was that you had to be driving a British Sports Car :smile:

Enjoy DID :smile:

If I was a bit closer..I'd join ya :smile:

Peace,
D

 

since I haven't been able to scrounge up another navigator, I'm going to bail on tonight.

The next event is January 2nd, 2004. Keep it in mind.

Dave

 

Dave:

Sorry I missed your deadline, maybe next time?

 

Doh, I read the thread a bit too late but Dave thanks for setting this up, it sounds like fun. I'll be in Big Bear for Jan 2 so I'll join you guys the time after that, and besides, I'll have tires that have thread on them then too, which is kind of important, hehe.

 

So Dave did you go? How was it? And are you participating in it tonight? Who navigated for you?

 

I didn't go, becuase I had problems finding a navigator for December. I'm going to miss tonight too. I will be doing February though.

 

Hey guys, i'm going to try to make it this friday evening. I finally have new tires, yay! Just wondering if I will see anybody else, besides Dave I suppose.

 

Oh, I'm out for the First Friday Nighter in February.

I'm also out of Vegas, and not going to work for at least the the next week (thanks to an infection I picked up).

 

Hey everyone, I am back home from the rally! The TSD format is a fresh new thing I never done before and although it will take lots of tries (and maybe extra equipment, haha) to really get your accuracy dead-on, it doesn't matter, it was fun exploring new roads, figuring the directions out, bonding with your navigator and adhering to the safe speeds (you won't get in trouble). Even me who loves to go crazy on the roads and give it all i've got had fun just doing this, but I know I am craving some hardcore driving too (like usual i suppose.. :smile:

 

Very cool. Glad you enjoyed it.

Can you describe the routing for this edition a little more?