We all know that rally is a year-long sport, but with the New England Forest Rally taking place in the heat of July, it can be easy to forget about the event while you’re planning for turkey dinners, visits with in-laws and holiday shopping lists.

Well, those of us involved in organizing the event are out straight already planning for the event, and planning to make it even better for all involved next year.  And we’ve come up with a holiday offer for you (thought we’d try to help you out with those aforementioned holiday lists) that is good now through December 15!

You can find all of the details by clicking on the VIP Bus web page, but in addition to the gourmet food, best viewing spots, great company and ease of traveling that riding the VIP bus affords, our holiday offer includes an early bird discount, a 2012 metal rally plate and a 2012 worker’s polo shirt (both of which we’ll get to you at the rally – we’re not quite ready to order those yet!), all packaged in a festive gift certificate and envelope so that all you have to do is give, and receive the gift of gratitude in return…

Tickets for the VIP Bus make a unique and exciting gift for the rally lover, auto enthusiast, race fan (or, if you’re a rally competitor – the sponsor!) in your life.

Be sure to purchase your tickets no later than December 15, 2011 – after that, our prices go up and you won’t be able to buy the plates or shirts!

Notice to drivers, crews, and volunteer workers: Tickets to Friday night’s Awards Banquet at the Phoenix House & Well can be purchased in advance for $10 at registration.  Anyone purchasing tickets at the door will be charged $20 (this also includes spectators).  Be sure to buy your tickets in advance and have a great meal for just $10!

Johnson Project Consulting says they are proud to sponsor the Concord Pond Stage since it is such big crowd pleaser for the Dickvale and Woodstock communities.

Johnson Project Consulting provides integrated project solutions to bioprocess and life science firms throughout the Northeast. On every engagement, Johnson Project Consulting delivers success by incorporating the latest technology, a strong collaborative spirit, and keeping team focus on the mission—just like RALLY!

Not only is Johnson Project Consulting sponsoring a stage, the company’s principal, Niall Johnson, also races in the rally.

Johnson says he was first introduced to rally by his father in the early 70s. Since then he has been an avid rally and motorsports enthusiast. In 2006 he began rally navigating, and, over the next 3 years, he co-drove 13 events for both “Rally Time” and “Tohunga” rally teams.

In 2009 Johnson and his wife Daniela started “Toltec Rally Team” and bought a ‘02 Subaru WRX PGT class car (AKA “The Dragon”) from Ted and Lise Mendham. Today he and Daniela continue to campaign “The Dragon” as a husband and wife regional rally team.

One question, Johnson says, the Toltec Rally Team is usually asked is: “How can a married couple rally together without killing each other?” The answer is easy, says Johnson, “it’s cheaper and more fun than couples therapy… plus how often do couples get to compete together for the same goal in life?

NEFR 2011will be Toltec Rally Team’s 9th event.

As with any sponsored stage at the New England Forest Rally, a small cash purse will be awarded to the first, second and third place drivers of the Regional Rally, who must be present at the awards ceremony to collect their prizes.  Only regular Rally America Regional Licensed drivers are eligible, not National Licensed drivers running under the Rally America single event waiver.

Sponsored Stage Regulations

The 2011 New England Forest Rally has a program of sponsorship for individual stages on both of the Rally America Regional Rallies.

The sponsorship will pay a small purse to the top finishing Regional Drivers on the sponsored stage.  [Note: Only regular RA Regional Licensed drivers are eligible, not National Licensed drivers running under the RA single event waiver.]

Sponsored purse will pay $300.00 to the fastest, $200.00 to the second fastest, and $100.00 to the third fastest in each of the sponsored stages.

As of 2 July there are two stages sponsored:

Friday:  Stage #6, Concord Pond by Johnson Project Consulting.

Saturday: Stage #8, Sturtevant Pond Long by Team O’Neil Rally School.

The purse will be paid along with the Regional Rally Awards each day.  The Driver must be present to collect the payment.

The New England Forest Rally reserves the right to add additional stage sponsorship up to the close of registration on Thursday night, 14 July 2011.

The 2011 New England Forest Rally Spectator Guide can now be viewed online!  Check out this link to open the guide and familiarize with what’s going on this year.

We’ll be posting new updates and news regularly now through the rally, so keep checking in with us.  And don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook and Twitter if you haven’t already!