2005
Cochrane Rally of the Ranchlands
Starting in the
picturesque town of Cochrane, the 2005 Rally of the Ranchlands will
kick off the Western Canadian Rally Championship.
The
rally will show off the cars and drivers with a Car display Sunday morning
right in downtown Cochrane, followed by four in-town stages for the
spectators. The competitors will then head north to the forestry and
oil roads in the familiar Fallen Timber forestry area. The timing of
the rally once known as The Winter Rally provides
road conditions that will be tricky and unpredictable. Gravel, snow,
and lots of ice are virtually guaranteed.
2005 will be the
second year that competitors will be allowed to take to the roads with
studded tires. Normal street studs will greatly improve traction on
the ice, perhaps replacing some of the show; with some go.
Following
the success of reconnaissance and Pace Notes in the Western Canada Rally
Championship in 2004, the format will continue in 2005.
This will give teams
a chance to see the roads on the day before the event and make their
own description of the stage. The ability to mark hazards and make a
knowledgeable tire choice should make the event faster and safer, and
will definitely be a learning experience for most of the crews.
New for 2005 is
the McCue Creek road, a continuation of the well known Hunter Valley
Road and a new service park at the Mountain
Aire Lodge and campground which has fuel, a convenience store and
a restarant.
With the growth
of interest in Rallying, the Cochrane Rally of the Ranchlands is drawing
a great level of interest and we are looking at record breaking participation.
The competition looks fierce, with a number of old favorites returning
to the field and a number of brand new competitors kicking off their
careers.
The
Rally is on Sunday March 13th and will have spectator areas in the town
of Cochrane and on the McCue Creek road. Competition is open to any
CARS or SCCA legal car and crew.
The Western Canadian
Rally Championship consists of The Cochrane Rally of the Ranchlands,
The Rocky Mountain Rally, Mountain Trials Rally, Pacific Forest Rally,
The Bighorn Rally, and the Kananaskis Rally.