Ogunquit's Carl Merrill in his
Series-Leading Ford Escort Cosworth
PRO Rallying is called the most exciting and
demanding of motorsports. It is also one of the
most difficult to spectate because of its normally
remote viewing points. To alleviate this we have
introduced four spectator points with easy
access. Safety at these points is of paramount
importance! It is really a matter of common
sense, but for you people who haven't spectated
a PRO Rally before, here are a few hints:
FOLLOW THE MARSHAL'S DIRECTIONS
the safer locations have been taped off and the
marshals know what to expect of the rally cars.
Failure to follow their directions will force the
organizers to cancel the special racing stage!
DON'T STAND ON THE OUTSIDE OF COR-
NERS OR IN THE EXIT ROAD - it a car is to
crash OR "go off the road," it is normally in these
dangerous areas.
BE ALERT AT ALL TIMES - the drivers often
use techniques which may seem strange to you,
including driving in the ditches off the road's
edge. Please expect the unexpected!
DON'T MOVE ONTO OR WALK ON THE
ROADS UNLESS GIVEN PERMISSION - the
marshals will know when the cars are coming
ask them before moving.
FRIDAY- 2 locations
First location: Take Route 17 north from
Rumford. From the traffic light at Route 2 it's 5.3
miles to an asphalt road which cuts over to Route
120. The best place to park is Glover's Machine
Shop on the right - just opposite from the cut-
over road. Walk down the cut-over road approxi-
the stage is on the unpaved road to your right just
across the bridge. The Spectator area is well
marked just after the timing control. Be here by 4
PM. The cars will go by this spot twice.
Second location: Immediately after the exit of all
the rally cars (second passage) return to your cars.
Return to the center of Rumford. The next two
stages are in-town. The only access is across the
bridge on Route 108 on the SOUTH end of Rumford.
First car starts stage at 7:15 PM! The cars will run
the in-town stage twice at 30-second intervals.
SATURDAY - 2 locations
First location: From Rumford, take Route 17 West
(actual direction is north). Follow Route 17 about
18.9 miles (you will pass a sign indicating Franklin
County). About a half-mile after the sign, turn RIGHT
across a bridge onto a dirt road. Continue down
the dirt road about 1.9 miles (passing the timing
control) to a right-hand turn; you will be instructed
where to park. You should arrive here by 8:30 AM
since you will be driving down part of the racing
stage!!
Second location: From the General Store in
Oquossoc, Go East toward Rangley and Route 16.
Turn LEFT on Route 16 WEST From that point,
go: 5.2 miles Turn RIGHT on Morton Cut-off
Road (dirt) after passing Cupsuptic Campground.
3.2 mi Turn LEFT at T junction 1.7 mi Turn RIGHT
0.5 mi Keep LEFT at Y 0.6 mi Keep LEFT at Y 0.9
mi Here you will encounter a road marshal. Follow
his directions and park on one side of the road only.
LEAVING THE ROAD OPEN FOR THE RALLY
CARS and EMERGENCY VEHICLES! You are now
within 1/4-mile of the racing stage. Walk up the
road and you will find the spectator viewing area
beyond the timing control. Service crews and over-
size vehicles should hitch a ride with someone else
as the road is very narrow at this point and there is
no place to turn a large vehicle around.
The FIRST CAR is due here at 3:30 PM. DON'T
BE LATE!
Then, at 5:30 PM the cars will be restarting from
here again to go north into another stage.
The FINAL stage does NOT END HERE.
There will be no spectator opportunities after this
restart at 5:30!!
Understanding Rally Terms
Special Stage Competition 'race' section where
the road is closed to the public and the competi-
tors run flat-out, at one minute intervals, to
see who is fastest!
Transit stage Non-competitive sections where
the competitors obey all the rules of the road.
These sections are to get competitors from one
race stage to the next.
Co-Driver Also known as navigator, he instructs
the driver where to turn at intersections, and
where the extra dangerous points are, by follow-
ing his/her routebook.
Routebook Organizer-produced book which the
competitors use to follow the prescribed course.
Competitors may not drive the route before the
rally.
Parc Expose Prior to the start of a PRO Rally,
competitors are required to display their cars at a
specific location for public viewing.
Quiet Zone Portions of the transit route where
the competitors must: Drive 5 mph below the
speed limit, on low beams, making minimum
noise. Penalties are assessed for violation of this
rule.
Scrutineering Every PRO Rally conducts a tech-
nical inspection of the rally cars before the start to
check safety and rules compliance.
Timing Control "Marshals" are stationed at these
checkpoints at the start and finish of the special
stages to time the competitors and to control public
travel.
Open Class Vehicles must be based on a model
built by a recognized car company. The engine,
suspension, brakes and transmission are unre-
stricted. All wheel drive and turbocharged engines
provide the fastest cars with traction and horse- power.
Group 5 Cars can be highly modified as above,
but must be 2 WD.
Group 2 As above but for small displacement (un-
der 2400 cc) 2 WD cars.
Production Small displacement (under 2400 cc)
showroom stock cars with very limited modifications,
mainly to suspension and for safety.
Production GT As above except that turbo-charged
cars with 4 WD are allowed, along with larger dis-
placement engine.
