The 2008 California Rally Series
Rally/RallyX School and Rally Cross 
February 9 & 10, 2008 - Ridgecrest California

Updated February 6, 2008 - SEE SCHOOL LOCATON BELOW

The Rally and RallyX School

A daylong event that covers all elements of rally and rallyx (rally cross) competition. This year, we've added a new RallyX school along side the Rally school. In both the Rally and RallyX coursework, a heavy emphasis will be placed on in the seat time for both drivers and co-drivers on practice courses designed to give them the "feel" of real competition. Experienced Drivers will ride along with you to show you how to use the practice area. Two or more students may share one car. A helmet with a Snell 90 or newer sticker is required for the driver's practice. A few loaner helmets are available. No helmets are required for the co-driver practice sessions.

This is a great opportunity to show a new co-driver, service crew member, or spouse what rally is all about. There is no one involved in the sport that will not benefit from this workshop. Completion of the school satisfies the requirement for a "first timers" class at the student's first rally event. 2008 marks the the twelfth presentation of the school.

Your entry includes a "working sack lunch" Saturday afternoon (the learning continues over the munching) and Mexican buffet Saturday night. You do not need to bring any vehicle to take part in the classroom part of the course. You may use any reasonable street automobile, except convertibles, for the drivers practice sessions as they are on the same level smooth dirt parking lot as the Sunday RallyX.

The RallyX  

A Rally Cross or RallyX is similar to an autocross or solo except that it is held on a dirt lot. This event combines the skills of rally driving with the strategy and techniques of solo. The exciting aspect of this new class of events is that stock street vehicles will be allowed to compete. Classes will be established for prepared and street stock vehicles. The only safety equipment required is stock or better seatbelts and a helmet with a Snell 90 or newer sticker is required. A few loaner helmets are available. The Rally Cross will be a part of the 2008 California Rally Series Rally Cross Championship. The event will be held at the Desert Empire Fair Grounds in Ridgecrest.  All CRS RallyX classes will be offered. See the entry form for complete details. Club memberships or rally licenses are not required. Open top, or convertible vehicles may not be used driving practice or the RallyX.

Driving Practice and RallyX Location and Surface

The drivers practice for the school and the RallyX are held at the Desert Empire Fairgrounds. The course is reasonably hard packed and smooth, but will get cut up during the course of the day so the course will be modified from time to time. There is some gravel and rock in the dirt surface but experience has shown that damage from this surface is minimal. PortaPotties will be available, and a variety of fast food is available in Ridgecrest. Open top, or convertible vehicles may not be used driving practice or the RallyX.

CRS RallyX Classes

RallyX championship points will be awarded in CRS Rally Cross Championship classes. Please see the California Rally Series website for complete rallyX regulations.

Event Dates and Schedule (subject to change, check back for updates)

Rally School Schedule, Saturday, Feb. 9
Please Note: This is a change from what was accidentally posted earlier. The site for the School Classroom is the Heritage Inn & Suites located at 1050 North Norma Street in Ridgecrest. The classes will take place in the Flight Deck Room on the second floor off the lobby.
7:30 School Registration
8:15 Welcome
8:30 Performance Rallying Overview
9:15 Basic Controls and Timing
10:15 Control Walk Through
11:00 Beginning Driving Talk I
12:00 Break and grab Bag Lunch
12:15 Basic Course Following and Safety Items
1:15 Basic Car Prep
1:45 Beginning Driving Talk II
2:30 Team Management

Breakout Sessions

Drivers
2:45 Practice Session Prep
3:15 Leave for Fairgrounds
3:30 Car Walk Around and In-Car Driving Practice
6:30 Leave Fairgrounds
7:00 Buffet Dinner, Location to be announced

Co-Drivers
2:45 In Car Practice, Video, and discussion
5:45 Advanced Co-Driving - Gibeault, Dillon
7:00 Buffet Dinner, Location to be announced

Sunday, Feb. 10
9am to 10am Registration for Ridgecrest RallyX, Desert Empire Fair Grounds, Ridgecrest
10am to 4pm Rally Cross, Desert Empire Fair Grounds, Ridgecrest

Event Location

Ridgecrest, California
Ridgecrest is located at the Northern End of Hwy 14, about 90 miles Northeast of Los Angles, due East of Bakersfield, on the Eastern side of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Directions: From Los Angeles, take I-5 North to Hwy 14 North (about 130 miles) to Ridgecrest Exit. From San Diego or Riverside take I-15 East to Hwy 395 North (about 100 miles) to Ridgecrest Exit.

Map to Ridgecrest and Rally School/RallyX Locations

Rally School Location

The site for the School Classroom is the Heritage Inn & Suites located at 1050 North Norma Street in Ridgecrest. The classes will take place in the Flight Deck Room on the second floor off the lobby.

Hotel Accommodations

A special Hotel room rates have been made available at the host hotel, the Heritage Inn & Suites. The room rate is $69.00 per night plus tax. Please let them know that you are with the Rally School. There phone number is (760) 446-7951. The hotel is located at 1050 North Norma Street in Ridgecrest.

Registration and Entry Information

Use the convenient on-line entry form. Just print it out on your printer. For faster enrollment, pay using your Visa or Master card through our secure PayPal account using the buttons below. Then mail or fax your completed entry form. You will be sent confirmation of your registration/entry on receipt of payment.

Rally School Topics (subject to change)

Rally Team Management

How do we plan for our first rally? How much sleep is enough? What should we eat before the event? How do we plan service breaks? These and many more questions are covered in this nuts and bolts discussion and rally planning.

Co-Driving Workshop

Top Rally co-drivers teach the basics and advanced skills of navigation. Topics also include planning, preparation, and controlling your driver. Route instructions, timing cards, and control procedures are covered in detail. All the basics every co-driver should know will be covered. In-Car video tape from actual competition vehicles will be used to illustrate different co-driver styles and techniques. A unique "in-door" rally course will be setup for teams to practice control operations.

Practice Stage Navigation

Teams will set out with experience Co-Drivers on several practice stages to work on navigation and co-driving skills in a "real world" environment. These sections will be on actual paved and dirt roads but at far below competition speed. Teams will pass through all types of controls and complete timing functions at each.

Rally Driving Workshop

Top national level drivers discuss the intricacies of rally driving. Each  driver provides insight into there unique style of driving. Topics include: driving conditions; front wheel, rear wheel, and four wheel drive techniques; driving at night and in the dust; knowing your own pace; and much more.

Practice Driving

Drivers  will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced drivers riding along. A safe practice area where drivers can work to develop their skill by repeatedly practicing the same corner over and over. New drivers can also ride with experienced drivers in their own vehicles or allow the experience driver to demonstrate in the students car. Special practice course layouts will available and diagrams for you to layout your own practice area at home will be provided. 

Only vehicles entered in the RallyX event will be allowed on the RallyX course during the Sunday event.

Instructors and Discussion Leaders

Top California and National Drivers and Co-Drivers are lending their skill to present this school.

RallyX School Topics (subject to change)

RallyX Overview

Championships and sanctioning bodies, vehicle classes, etc.

Car Preparation

What to bring, what to modify, getting ready for your first event, etc.

Driving Tips

Competition Tips

Practice Driving

Drivers  will have the opportunity to work closely with experienced drivers riding along. A safe practice area where drivers can work to develop their skill by repeatedly practicing the same corner over and over. New drivers can also ride with experienced drivers in their own vehicles or allow the experience driver to demonstrate in the students car. Special practice course layouts will available and diagrams for you to layout your own practice area at home will be provided. 

Other Developments Planned for the 2008 School

The Rally School Team is working on a number of new ideas to make this years event even better. We welcome your suggestions.  Please contact Ray Hocker at rayhocker@verizon.net or 760-446-4097