Subaru Rim of the World Rally, May 6-7, Lancaster, Ca.
01-27-2007, 10:57 AM
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Well here it is
Contact:
Ray Hocker, Chairman
Rim of the World Rally
951-315-4809
Andy Schupack
Rim of the World Media Officer
Email: as@kgpr.com
401-739-5677
SUBARU RIM OF THE WORLD RALLY NO LONGER IN ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST AFTER 23 YEARS; 2007 EVENT TO INCORPORATE NEW ELEMENTS
LANCASTER, Calif.– December 15, 2006 - The organizers of the 2007 Subaru Rim of the World Rally, headquartered in Lancaster, Calif., have announced that the event will not include competition stages in the Angeles National Forest as a result of a decision by the United States Department of Agriculture Angeles National Forest Supervisor in Arcadia, Calif.
Rim organizer Ray Hocker reported that the Forest Service returned the event’s application for a renewal of its Special Use Authorization, and sent a letter stating, among other things, that the performance rally was “inconsistent with agency direction and the Angeles National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.”
“We are disappointed that, after 23 years and more than 50 events – including Rim and other local rallies – without a major incident, the Forest Service has indicated it does not want its roads used for this recreational use. We have already taken steps to modify the 2007 Subaru Rim of the World Rally format to concentrate on the Super Special Stages and other activities at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster. We will continue the tradition of Rim as the premier rally and motorsport festival in North America,” said Hocker.
In the letter from Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron, there are several items from the Forest Service Manual that influenced her decision to return the renewal application. In a meeting that followed receipt of the letter, the Forest Service told the Rim organizers that they understand that the rallies have been “good Forest users” over the years, and this decision has nothing to do with the events' performance under previously-issued permits.
Hocker reported that the Forest Service has also informed the organizers that most of the roads used for the rally in the past will no longer be graded, leaving them too rough for rallying. This change in maintenance is a result of the new requirement for National Forests to establish Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) routes. Wherever the OHV routes run on established roads, as in the Angeles National Forest, the roads must be left rough to discourage speeding and prevent accidents involving passenger vehicles.
Besides the modified Rim format for 2007, Hocker also announced that Subaru of America, Southwest Region will be back as full sponsor of the Rim event, endorsing the significance of the event to the U.S. rally scene as well as a useful tool to continue to reach its customers.
“Subaru of America, Southwest Region has supported Rim of the World since 1991, and for the last three seasons as the event’s title sponsor, and we are pleased to report that they are fully supporting our change of format for the 2007 rally. Without their involvement, we would not be able to provide the exciting activities planned for the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds and other possible venues for our April 27 – 28, 2007 event,” said Hocker.
As plans solidify for the 2007 Subaru Rim of the World Rally, Hocker said the organizers will have further announcements. Updates will also be posted on www.rimoftheworldrally.com.
Contact:
Ray Hocker, Chairman
Rim of the World Rally
951-315-4809
Andy Schupack
Rim of the World Media Officer
Email: as@kgpr.com
401-739-5677
SUBARU RIM OF THE WORLD RALLY NO LONGER IN ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST AFTER 23 YEARS; 2007 EVENT TO INCORPORATE NEW ELEMENTS
LANCASTER, Calif.– December 15, 2006 - The organizers of the 2007 Subaru Rim of the World Rally, headquartered in Lancaster, Calif., have announced that the event will not include competition stages in the Angeles National Forest as a result of a decision by the United States Department of Agriculture Angeles National Forest Supervisor in Arcadia, Calif.
Rim organizer Ray Hocker reported that the Forest Service returned the event’s application for a renewal of its Special Use Authorization, and sent a letter stating, among other things, that the performance rally was “inconsistent with agency direction and the Angeles National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan.”
“We are disappointed that, after 23 years and more than 50 events – including Rim and other local rallies – without a major incident, the Forest Service has indicated it does not want its roads used for this recreational use. We have already taken steps to modify the 2007 Subaru Rim of the World Rally format to concentrate on the Super Special Stages and other activities at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster. We will continue the tradition of Rim as the premier rally and motorsport festival in North America,” said Hocker.
In the letter from Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron, there are several items from the Forest Service Manual that influenced her decision to return the renewal application. In a meeting that followed receipt of the letter, the Forest Service told the Rim organizers that they understand that the rallies have been “good Forest users” over the years, and this decision has nothing to do with the events' performance under previously-issued permits.
Hocker reported that the Forest Service has also informed the organizers that most of the roads used for the rally in the past will no longer be graded, leaving them too rough for rallying. This change in maintenance is a result of the new requirement for National Forests to establish Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) routes. Wherever the OHV routes run on established roads, as in the Angeles National Forest, the roads must be left rough to discourage speeding and prevent accidents involving passenger vehicles.
Besides the modified Rim format for 2007, Hocker also announced that Subaru of America, Southwest Region will be back as full sponsor of the Rim event, endorsing the significance of the event to the U.S. rally scene as well as a useful tool to continue to reach its customers.
“Subaru of America, Southwest Region has supported Rim of the World since 1991, and for the last three seasons as the event’s title sponsor, and we are pleased to report that they are fully supporting our change of format for the 2007 rally. Without their involvement, we would not be able to provide the exciting activities planned for the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds and other possible venues for our April 27 – 28, 2007 event,” said Hocker.
As plans solidify for the 2007 Subaru Rim of the World Rally, Hocker said the organizers will have further announcements. Updates will also be posted on www.rimoftheworldrally.com.
