Summit Rally drivers Ross Allen & Will Orders

Summit Rally Team will be coming to the United States in 2012, hitting four major events, including the New England Forest Rally.  To learn more about Summit Rally, connect with them on their Facebook page,  or check out www.summitrally.com.au.

In case you’ve forgotten, this deal is just the cherry on an already sweet deal. Remember to buy your VIP bus tickets by December 15, 2011, and you’ll not only get an early-bird discount, but you’ll also receive an event polo shirt AND a New England Forest Rally metal plate! Click here for more information about rates and to download the bus registration form.

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!

Raffle tickets will cost $10.00 and be available for purchase at the Errol Super Special and Errol Service area.  Winners will be drawn at the end of the Rally. First prize is a 32” flat screen TV, Second prize is green fees for 4 at the Panorama Golf Course at the Balsams Grand Resort, and Third prize is a $50.00 gas card.  50/50 raffle tickets will also be sold.

Also partnering with the rally, Twin Rivers Habitat for Humanity (TRHFH), an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, will be selling water bottles at the Errol Super Special. All proceeds from the bottle sales will help support TRHFH in its efforts to eradicate substandard housing in the North Country by building or renovating homes, which are then mortgaged to their partner families with a no-interest mortgage that only covers the cost of construction materials and the property.  At the same time, TRHFH’s efforts also help individuals become involved citizens in their communities. TRHFH works across 15 North Country townships, east from the Androscoggin River and west to the Connecticut River.

Please help us support these worthy local organizations!

Scheduled to appear at 6:30pm:

• 2010 Rally America Champion and 2010 New England Forest Rally winner Antoine L’Estage!
• TV Personality and rally/drift driver, Andrew Comrie-Picard
• Ex-Mitsubishi Rally Team factory driver Lauchlin O’Sullivan
• Drifter turned rallyist Verena Mei
• Rookie of the Year contender Adam Yeoman
• Last Ditch Racing’s John Cassidy
• Exedy RacingClutches’ Evan Cline

These drivers and more will be stopping by the Phoenix, located at 9 Timberline Drive (and on the right side of the road just before you reach South Ridge base area and the parking lot at Sunday River, on South Ridge Road in Newry – click here for a map), to sign autographs and chat with fans throughout the time frame mentioned.

Rally team Last Ditch Racing signing autographs. Photo: Francisco La Torre/WorldRallySport

While you’re in the neighborhood, plan to grab dinner at the Phoenix!  They’ll have a barbecue going, and they’ll also offer their full dinner menu inside (lower level of the restaurant).  Shipyard Brewing Company is sponsoring this event, so be sure to grab a cold one while you’re there.

Accompanying Mei will be Rally legend Tim O’Neil, Five-time U.S. and North American Rally Racing Champiom.  O’Neil is the owner of  Tim O’Neil Rally School, one of the most famous rally schools in the country. If you are interested in checking out his rally school, click on this link.

Mrs. B’s Village store is located near the Concord Pond Stage at 122 Main Street in Peru, Maine; click on this map to locate it.

Verena will be driving her first rally on Friday – stop by Mrs. B’s and wish her luck!

Saturday’s VIP Bus passes include coffee and pastries in the morning before you head off to Errol, and passengers will also receive lunch along with a variety of beverages.  For additional details, click here.

L.L. Cote’s Detailing Kit includes a bucket with a microfiber cloth, sponge and buffer with a bottle of wash and a bottle of wax.  Your ride will appreciate the splurge and the together time the kit will offer!  The L.L. Cote Regional Rally T-Shirt is a new item that L.L. Cote produced to celebrate their sponsorship of Saturday’s regional rally!

The winners will be drawn at 3:30 and will be called if they aren’t present at the drawing.

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.

The owners of the 50,000 square foot super-store were thrilled with the response they received from rally fans coming into the store last year, and are looking forward to being a part of the New England Forest Rally again this year.

“We really enjoyed the fact that everyone was so grateful,” said Kristina Cote.  “People repeatedly thanked us for sponsoring the event.  We’re looking forward to having people come back this year, and we hope to get them looking throughout the store.”

While you’re in Errol for the L.L. Cote Regional Rally, be sure to stop by L.L. Cote and check it out – and leave yourself a little extra time to do so.  The retailer will be giving away free stuff on the 16th, and they’ll also be selling limited edition “L.L. Cote Regional Rally” t-shirts in adult and kids sizes. (Note that you will also be able to buy them at the L.L. Cote booth at Mexico Rec, as well as at the Errol Service, where they will also be selling sandwiches.)    Be sure to wander beyond the entrances to the store.  Check out this list of what L.L. Cote has to offer – it is truly an experience just wandering through there, and we guarantee you’ll find something you won’t want to live without!

• HUGE selection in their Guns, Archery and Ammo departments
• Everything you could possibly need to catch a fish  in their Fishing department
• Men’s, Women’s and Children’s clothing, with brands like Under Armour, Carhartt, Rocky Boots, and MUCH more
• Camping – everything from sleeping bags to portable cook stoves
• Boating – brands like Old Town, Necky, Ocean Kayak & Hobie
• Powersports – new & used ATVs & UTVs, including a Yamaha & Kawasaki showroom
• Canoe & Kayak Rentals (heck, you can even rent a cement mixer there if you need one!)
• Hardware & Lumber
• Subway sandwich shop
• Gifford’s Ice Cream Stand
• Calico Cottage Fudge
• Convenience store items
• Gas

Regarding that last bullet point, Rally Enthusiasts, PLEASE NOTE: L.L. Cote has 93 Octane gas available – get some while it lasts!!

Can’t wait to learn more about what’s in store?  Go to the L.L. Cote website.  And when you’re wandering through the vast store during the rally, be sure to say “thank you!” to the employees for helping support the rally.