Open Road Racing

[GizmoQ]

From CTS-V Wagon Review Thread: It's going to the Big Bend Open Road Race in April also. I've got to find a way to mount a fire extinguisher though.

I had no idea there were so many road races setup across the US. The two most talked about on the internet are the Big Bend Open Road Race April 20 - 23, 2011 in Fort Stockton, TX and Sandhills Open Road Challenge August 11-13, 2011 in Arnold, NE.

Wikipedia article excerpt: A modified form of open road racing resumed in the 1980s, with the inception of the Silver State Classic Challenge in Nevada. Since then, a number of other events have been organized, including three events organized by MKM Promotions[1] in Northern Nevada, at Wendover, Elko and Battle Mountain. Two races are run in West Texas each year: the Big Bend Open Road Race[2]in April and the Road Runner event in October. Since 2001, the Sandhills Open Road Race in Arnold, Nebraska has been run every August.


Unfortunately, like many other niche communities, the sport is feeling the brunt of the economic decline - MKM has postponed indefinitely all open road races in Nevada. And participation is down for the others. Having attended one race in Nevada back in the late '80s, I never expected the sport to last this long, good luck to you, Tuna, stay safe.

 

[Popbigguy]

Sandhills Open Road!!!!,,,, In NE??? Goes to show ya' that you can learn something everyday. I've lived here my whole life, and I've never heard of this!

 

[Little Woman]

Sandhills Open Road!!!!,,,, In NE??? Goes to show ya' that you can learn something everyday. I've lived here my whole life, and I've never heard of this!

You going to give it a try Chad?

 

[Tuna]

Big Bend ORR doesn't seem to be hurting as this years event in April is pretty much sold out. The same group used to run the "Road Runner ORR" in the fall but it is gone. I'm not sure why the Nevada races are on hold.

I've been going to the BBORR since 1999. My wife and I drive and mostly it's been in Corvettes. Last year we drove the V1. This year, we'll drive the V2. We stay in the 110 MPH class as that is the fastest class you can run with stock seat belts. The only modification to the car is to mount a fire extinguisher.

Open Road Racing is really a Time, Speed, Distance rally where you decide what average speed you want to run and then try to hit the timing to achieve that speed. You do not "race" anyone, you just 'race' the clocks - not too fast or too slow. And you rarely see the other racers as they start anywhere from 2 minutes to 30 seconds before and behind you. If you get passed, one of you has really messed up your timing.

Going too slow for you class will get to disqualified, going too fast for class: ditto. At BBORR too slow is more than 30 MPH under your target speed or the posted speed limit (after the standing start of course). Each class has a "tech" speed which is based on tires and safety equipment on your car and the class you are in. The 110 class has a "tech" speed of 124. Go faster than that and you get disqualified.

The faster you go, the more it costs.