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Three Rivers Publishing

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Sep 03rd
Home Editorials Editorials Rally is a good thing for county
Rally is a good thing for county Print E-mail
Wednesday, 26 November 2008 14:53
    When a major national sporting event comes to our county, you would probably expect local officials to roll out the red carpet. Not the case, however, when it comes to the “Rally in the 100 Acre Wood.”     Just this past week, Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney Sid Pearson questioned why the county was letting the rally continue. “I think it’s a crime to drive roads at excessive speeds,” said Pearson. “My opinion is that I think it’s dangerous and just asking for people to be injured or even killed. I’ve never been a fan of it.”
    From those comments, it’s painfully obvious that Pearson is not a fan of the Rally America racing series. In fact, it sounds like he doesn’t know the first thing about it. For those of you who, like Pearson, know little or nothing about the sport, it’s time to get educated!
    Thanks to the backing of corporate sponsors like Subaru, Red Bull, BF Goodrich, Monster Energy Drink, DC Shoe and Boost Mobile, along with the addition of well-known drivers like Travis Pastrana and Dave Mira, the Rally America series has skyrocketed in popularity over the past two years.
    Rally racing is one of the fastest growing motor sports in the country. In just three years, it has gone from an almost unknown hobby sport to a featured event at the Summer X-Games shown on ABC Sports and ESPN. And in all that time the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood has been a part of it.
    The Rally in the 100 Acre Wood has a rather lengthy history in the area, but only became seriously organized over about the past five years. The race, which is headquartered in Salem, is conducted on county roads in Crawford, Dent and Iron counties. All racing is done against the clock, in timed stages over a two-day period.
    Although there had previously been racing in Crawford County, it wasn’t until about three years ago that racers made an official stop in Steelville, using the Community Park as a service area on the first day of the race. Two years ago the race bypassed Steelville, but this past year (with support from the city of Steelville) the racers again used the park as a service area.
    As someone who has covered the race for the past five years or so, I have to say I was amazed with what I saw this past year. Three years ago, the service area at the park wasn’t much to look at and not many people bothered looking. In 2008, however, everything had changed.
    Anyone there last year could see that rally racing had become a big-time sport, with big-time sponsors and big-time money behind it. The two-car Subaru team alone this past year had two tents erected, a crew of 10 to 12 working on the cars, a large truck full of parts and equipment (where they were even mounting new tires for the next stage run) and a big RV for the drivers.
    And the increased sponsorship also brought an increase in fans. The Community Park was packed that day not only with race teams, but also with fans from across the country. And those fans brought their wallets.
    Hotels from Steelville to Viburnum, Salem to Rolla, and St. James to Cuba were filled with race teams and their fans from February 21 to February 24. Local restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets and shops were also filled with them. This race brought a lot of money into the area and, with its continued growth, has the potential to bring in a lot more.
    We need to be working with race organizers, teams and fans to make sure they keep coming to our area year in and year out. And while they are here, we need to be marketing all we have to offer with hopes they will return when the weather is just a bit nicer than it is at the end of February.
    I understand Pearson’s concerns, but I believe most of them come from a lack of information about the rally. He’s right that the county needs to be protected from liability and take steps to formally approve the use of roads for the race. In fact, all that should have been done years ago.
    Believe me, the race will go on with or without Crawford County. If we say no to them, they will simply move all the stages into Dent County, where there are welcomed with open arms each year.
    Have no doubts when I say, the Rally in the 100 Acre Wood is good for Crawford County. It’s better for Dent County, but it’s also good for Crawford County. If your not convinced, try counting all the Subarus in Crawford County this February 27 and 28. You’ll need a calculator!
    EDITOR’S NOTE: If you want to see more of what rally racing is all about, visit http://www.rally-america.com or http://rally.subaru.com/. Both sites include photos and videos of last year’s Rally in the 100 Acre Wood, along with information on the entire Rally America series.
Comments
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andrew  - dont you dare!   |2008-12-01 08:49:17
It bothers me when a few try to impose their will on the many.
Hopefully Sid
was voicing a kneejerk concern and is not serious about opposing this
thing.
Dont you dare try to legislate against the rally
Racing might be
dangerous, but apparently so is Christmas shopping at walmart or toys r us.
In
America, we used to have the right to the pursuit of happiness
What a great
way to bring people into this area in February. Stimulate our economy a little
bit.
Spread a little green around to those of us who work at real jobs where we
must earn what we get.
I have never attended a race like this, but will
certainly be there in February to enjoy this event.
centerpoint  - Great Write-Up   |2008-11-28 13:54:06
It's not that we want our towns to have a different personality, but there's
nothing wrong with seeing something besides campground/river tourism coming into
our area every once in awhile. I just can't understand why people would not
want to see anything new - ever - around here.

I say, "bring 'em in and
let them race!"
Rocketman  - Subies   |2008-11-27 21:39:57
I am on my 5th, I was not let down by any of them, just my needs and finances
changed overtime. Our fav was a 90 legacy wagon, my wife got t-boned in it.
She left the hospital with only bruises, I drove it home from the tow lot with a
front wheel that leaned 5 degrees, hope your daughter never has to find out the
B pillars have a peice of rebar in them that is resitant to even the "jaws
of life".
google subaru "b pillar" rebar
BTW, in case anyone
wonders, I am not affiiliated with the rally, just a fan who grew up in
Viburnum.
Rob Viehman  - I own one, but don't drive one.   |2008-11-27 18:00:36
Thanks Rick,
I own a Subaru Forester, but I don't drive it. Bought it for my
daughter when she turned 16. It has 115,000 miles on it and runs like a top. I
guess I'll have to drive it to the Rally this year, so I can blend in better.
Rocketman  - Thank you   |2008-11-26 20:29:13
Thanks Rob,
GOod to see someone in Crawford county knows there is a world
north of I farty four.
Keep up the good work. It is obvious you have done
your homework.
BTW, do you drive a Subie?

RGM
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Last Updated on Thursday, 18 December 2008 10:24
 
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