Hi all!!

just looking at the numbers..... Let's see.....STPR Entries 37 Maine Forest Rally 64

The big question is WHY????????

We have better roads (my opinion) We have the BEST staff and workers....Did we not gain Rally of the year honors several times....

Then I ask the question again........WHY????

Anyone??? Buhluer.....

Thanks!

If I had to guess, I'd say max attack had a lot to do with it. Look at how many 2wd entries there are! And $500 entry fees for regionals makes a big difference too.

One thing to look at is... where are the competitors coming from. Are they 'local' (within 200 miles) Maybe they have more 'local' rallists. <??>
Another thing is... look at the changes in STPR over the past few years. No more night stages in the forest, which was a big draw for the fans as well as the competitors. The super special stages are ok. (notice I didn't say OK) The WM stages are good, but a car breaker. There's no more coming back into town at 5AM on Sunday from being out rallying all night. The competitors liked it as well as the spectators. Yes, the cost does play a factor, times are tough. Lets' face it the old STPR was unique and has lost it's appeal.
Even though STPR has gone down hill in the past few years and the numbers keep dropping, as long as there is an STPR I'll keep working.

Rallyman, I have to take issue with your post saying STPR(R) has gone downhill. The changes are the ones the National Competitors have told us they wanted through Rally america. They are also changes Rally America wanted as well. The regional drivers remember fondly all night long racing. And then it is only some of the regional competitors. Gone are the weekends of rallying all night, as it is now cost prohibitive. Just the cost to have DCNR on our side was over $10,000.00. Couldn't afford it if they weren't on our side. And that doesn't count the bonds we have to post just to have the event.

May I invite you to sit in on the organizing meetings for 2011,so you can have an insiders view of what it takes to hold a National Rally?

And, from what I have heard, it is the MaxAttack that attracted the high number of regional competitors. There is not a highly advertised regional series in the east that attracts competitors. MaxAttack is National for 2WD.

I don't think anyone missed the night stages; Just too expensive and they got too crazy. I remember sitting in the dark for 3 plus hours and then having the stage canceled because of drunken idiots. STPR is very well run from top thru bottom...my wish is for more cars!! The fairgrounds are great! Gives a family a chance to see cars in action without treking into the woods with small kids. I'll bet the fairgrounds made more "future" Rally fans then any one stage ever did!! Not to mention the bonus of taking in "extra" funds to pay for the entire rally.

The question is ...how do we increase the number of cars?

Is it the economy ? Is it something else? Or is it a combo of things? Let's talk about it!!

Getting back to the Fairgrounds...Let's see how the Rallycross goes in NJ next month...I'm betting it's a success!!


Keep the ideas coming....

STPR still number ONE for Rally in my book!