"I Got Back on Course Using Off Course Bunnies and Didn't Know It"

More on that later! But first off, congratulations to our first place team Dave Trezza and Pat Slaven - they aced the rally and continue to prove their competitiveness. We had forty-four (44) cars join us at the start with quite a few novice teams - many of them in BMW Mini Coopers. On Sunday morning we collected all 42 signs including the additional three (3) off-course signs and the frowny face. As we mentioned at the meeting, this sign was intended as a giant helper in the event you got off course. Like all off course signs, if you recorded it, you were penalized. While there were many complaints, we did not intentionally 'hide' the signs merely 'strategically' placed them in the woods.

There was one area of concern:

Instruction # 8 - Left after "T". It appears there was a slight error in the instruction, yet it ironically worked itself out immediately. Certainly with 27 cars getting passed this, it turned out to not be an issue. If a time allowance was requested, we granted it. Time allowances are granted based solely at the rally masters discretion. One time allowance was requested and granted - we mention this because it changed the outcome of the trophy qualifiers.

And there were some dirty tricks:

a) "Private Ponds" and police activity in Cos Cob CT. We understand there to have been some going around in circles here, but we were very explicit in our generals, the road you were to turn on named 'Old Stone Bridge' is a valid thru street, not a dead end and does exist. Also, there was a break in the double yellow and if you interpreted this incorrectly we gave you the giant helper - off course sign 'frowny face'. No time allowances were granted here.

b) On Farms Road, when you were counting "LIMIT" signs there were two on one sign post at the beginning of the squirrelly road. It was easily missed and if so, you may have found yourselves at Dunkin Donuts!

c) Left at "RIGHT" SOL - (my personal favorite) and

d) use of ?'s & 'and follow' without use of road names.

As we always do for our rallies, we score on time, signs and mileage. The bonus question is merely for fun but could serve as a tie breaker. The correct bonus answer was "Shad" however, we accepted Lake and Cat. While Sturgeon, Pike, Cod and Salmon are fish - they were not named streets on the rally. And for the record Val, Porchuck is not a fish, never was. Speaking of chucks, one of our veteran rallyists decided to navigate instead of drive as he usually does and 'upchucked' all that Easter candy at the final check point!!! Bummer.

Now back to the title - shockingly one team was able to get back on course by coming into contact with an off course bunny! Not knowing it was off course, it was recorded on their answer sheet, but the beauty was they read through their instructions, kept their eyes peeled for clues and got back on track at Instruction # 48 by seeing "CELL" recorded on a "USE OF HANDHELD CELL PHONES PROHIBITED". They were thrilled! What an awesome feat to have accomplished - the funny part though was at Applebee's - no one could understand how they thought they were on course (and actually were!) with this off course bunny that NO ONE else ever saw!

We had a lot of fun drafting the rally - as you know it is a very time consuming process. We hope that you continue to learn the art of rallying from our events. Remember record the signs as accurately as you can calculate the mileage and answer the bonus question. Many rallyists who did not finish still came to Applebee's which is great - you still get scored by handing in your answer sheet. Read your generals and carry maps - many times street names are used, a map could help you get back on course.

Thanks to Gary and Debbi for registration and to Frank for your continued interest and support.

Best regards,

Diane and Don Mays