MEDIA ALERT - SCCA ProRally - International
Cherokee Trails Rally
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For immediate release Friday, March 08, 2002
MEDIA ALERT
SCCA ProRally Championship Round 2
International Cherokee Trails Rally
DENVER, Colorado Second round of ten for the 2002 season. Over 90 SCCA and
FIA Performance Rally cars from across North America and the world will
compete on hard-packed dirt and gravel roads within the Ocoee/Hiwassee
District of the Cherokee National Forest, east of Chattanooga. This
televised event is sanctioned by the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA)
through its Chattanooga Region. The event is organized by the Knoxville, TN
based Rally Promotions, Inc.
When & Where:
· March 15-16, 2002; Chattanooga, TN; approximately 100 miles (160km) north
of Atlanta, GA
· Time zone at event: Eastern Time (same as New York)
Headquarters Hotel and Event Press Room Location:
· Mariott Convention Center, 2 Carter Plaza, Chattanooga, TN 37402
423.756.0002 or 800.228.9290
Schedule
Wednesday, 13 March
· 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM Rally HQ open
Thursday, 14 March
· 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Rally HQ open for registration
· 2:30 PM - 6:00 PM Shakedown stage (works teams)
Friday, 15 March
· 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Rally HQ open for registration
· 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM Press Stage (open to all credentialed press and VIPs)
(MFG's: 10:30 - Noon)
· 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Scrutineering (Pro teams: 8:00AM - 3:00 PM, Club
teams: 4:00 PM- 7:00 PM)
· 7:00 PM Ceremonial Start - Downtown Chattanooga
· 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Parc Expose
Saturday, 16 March
· 6:00 AM Publication of Crews eligible to start, Official Start,
CricKet Pavilion
· 8:30 PM Awards Banquet; Chattanooga Conference and Trade Center
Event Rank:
· The FIA International and SCCA ProRally competition will follow global
performance rallying FIA standards.
· The SCCA ProRally portion of the Cherokee Trails event is a full-points
round for SCCA Driver & Manufacturer Championships.
· There will also be SCCA ClubRally competition for regionally based rally
teams.
Selected entries (driver/co-driver):
· World Debut of the all-new 2003 SCCA Open Class Hyundai Tiburons,
prepared by 11-time SCCA ProRally Champion and US Rally legend John Buffum,
driven by 8-time SCCA driving champion Paul Choiniere with 7-time co-driving
champion Jeff Becker, and UK champion Mark Higgins with Michael Gibson.
· 2001 SCCA ProRally Overall Driver Champion and 2001 Manufacturers
champion Mark Lovell with Steve Turvey; SCCA Open Class 2002 Subaru WRX.
· 2001 Canadian Rally Champions Tom McGeer and Mark Williams; Open Class
2002 Subaru WRX.
· European and Polish Rally Champion Janusz Kulig with Jaroslaw Baran; Gr N
2000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
· Two-time High Performance Showroom Stock Pikes Peak International
Hillclimb Champion Rhys Millen, with Garry Cowan; 2001 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
VI
Format:
All events in the SCCA ProRally Championship consist of flat-out racing,
in any weather, on challenging forest, mountain or desert roads. SCCA
Performance Rally events follow a format similar to that used around the
globe. However, most events do not allow for on-course practice (recces) or
pacenotes. Competitors generally see the course for the first time as they
race it. The International Cherokee Trails Rally a recced and pacenoted eve
nt, and therefore entrants have the option of running the stage roads in
advance of the actual rally to get acclimated to the roads.
At-speed competition takes place only on "special stages," using
demanding back roads closed by local authorities for the event. "Transits"
connect the "special stage" sections together and are driven at posted
speeds, with teams fully subject to all traffic laws.
SCCA Performance Rally vehicles are production-based cars and trucks
from manufacturers around the world. They compete both for the overall
victory and wins within a class structure that groups together vehicles with
similar performance capabilities.
Each vehicle carries a driver and a co-driver/navigator. Using a
detailed route book and a rally computer, the co-driver keeps the team
on-course and advises the driver of any hazards ahead. This role is as
critical as the driver's skill, since the team is traveling at full racing
speeds, typically over roads they have not seen, in any type of weather.
Visuals & Media Information:
· Prior to the event, action photography and video will be obtainable at
the press stage. During the event, action photography and video will be
possible from viewing areas set up along the rally course, as well as other
sites.
· Credentialed Media and Industry VIP's will have the opportunity to
experience the intense excitement of ProRally cars at speed, and meet the
leading drivers and co-drivers during the Friday press stage.
· Drivers, co-drivers and crew will be accessible throughout the event,
including the press stage and at the Parc Expose prior to the start of the
rally. The service area is open to credentialed press at all times of the
event.
· Media relations will be able to provide driver and co-driver interviews,
event results and other information via telephone, fax and Email.
National Media Contact:
· Kurt Spitzner - SCCA ProRally Championship Director
At-event mobile: 303.204.0375 (USA Country Code: 1)
Email: sccaprorally@aol.com
Web sites:
· SCCA ProRally: http://www.sccaprorally.org/
· International Cherokee Trails Rally: http://www.cherokeetrailsrally.com
The SCCA ProRally Championship is presented by Hyundai, Mitsubishi and
Subaru, and is televised on Speedvision in North America.
