When I say "new" this is really an attempt to revive road rallies in the area. The Chippewa Valley Sports Car Club (CVSCC) used to put on rallies in the area and in the 1970's The Chippewa Trail National Rally (put on by the Land O' Lakes region of the SCCA) was noted for its great roads and brisk speeds. The Chippewa Trail National moved to Menomonie and ran until 2006. It came back for 2010 in Durand.
There was also, in the words of one who competed in this event many times, some "epic" hospitality, this included throwing the Rallymaster into a swimming pool at the end of the event.
The Rallye is being put on by Rallymaster Clarence Westberg of the Twin City Rally club for the CVSCC as it appears that putting on a road rally may be a lost art among the club members since the demise of the Chippewa Trail National Rally in the 1980's. The hope is that this new Chippewa Trail Rally will renew interest in road rally.
The day promises much with all entrants invited to partake in "Cars and Coffee", the Saturday morning social gathering of the CVSCC before the car zero time of noon. Beginners will be able to partake in a Road Rally 101 course to learn all they need to know to get them through the event.
The CVSCC have promised to lay on catering after the event. This looks like it could be quite the day, and Team Holmes Rallye hope to be there in FG the MGB.
Post Script: I've added some extra information as previous entrants get in touch with me because their memories have been jogged and they remember the good times of the old Rally. If you've got any memories of the old Chippewa Trail Rally pop them in the comments below.
My first Chippewa Trail was in 1970 as a worker. I worked many years, but ran with Jim Putnam in about 1976. CT was always known as a challenging trap rally, with some great roads and, as Ian mentioned, epic hospitality.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Please feel free to share any memories of the event.
ReplyDeletewe entered many Chips in the 80s - 2001. Chip was our first national win. Always had the best roads, the best hospitality and really tough traps. Kate and Rachael even volunteered to watch over our daughter so she could play with their brood while we ran.
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