Return to Rainier Auto Sports Club Homepage

Rainier Auto Sports Club

Updated 09/19/2012

Nor'Wester Past

WARNING THIS GRAVEL ROAD IS STEEP WITH VERY SHARP SWITCH BACKS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TURCKS OR PASSENGER CARS

First run as an adventurous TSD event in 1967, Nor'Wester has a significant history in the Pacific Northwest. From 1967 until 1972, Nor'Wester was known as one of the foremost TSD rallies in the United States. In 1973, the format changed to a stage event for the new SCCA Pro Rally Series, on closed roads. This was the case through 1984, and Nor'Wester had become part of Rally Week Northwest, with Nor'Wester running one weekend, followed by Olympus the following weekend. Then, with the advent of the WRC events coming to the forests (and streets!) of Washington, Nor'Wester fell off the calendar. Then, in 1996, Jerry Hines (rallymaster of the Alcan 5000 Rally) put forth the idea of running a 30th anniversary event in the original TSD format. The task of duplicating the route of the 1967 three-day rally was handed to Roy Ward. Using the original R.I.s, Roy found "progress" had impacted the course rather significantly. Freeways had been built, new roads intervened, and some roads had disappeared entirely. But with some rerouting, and a little creativity, a route was laid out and measured, and in 1997, the 30th Anniversary Nor'Wester ran from Bellevue, WA to Clarkston, WA, then to Coeur d'Alene, ID. The third day was dropped, since so much of the third day of the original route was no longer followable. But a good time was had by all, so now we have assembled a route that Roy and Ron believe really represents the spirit of the original TSD event.

Nor'Wester 2012

The 2012 Nor'Wester will be a tour of the crunchy bits of Eastern Washington, a smidge of Oregon, and a large part of Central Idaho, with sustained hillclimbs, breathtaking vistas, meandering forest tracks, and a pine cone or two. Starting in the cattle hub of Washington, Ellensburg, the rally pursues the lesser traveled environs through ranches, farms, forests, and vineyards. Stay tuned for more information!

Road heads down the valley and curves back

Overview

Date: September 15-16, 2012

Rallymaster: Roy Ward

Rally Chairman, Routemaster: Ron Sorem

Chief of Controls: Steve Perret

Scoring: Kathryn Hansen

Start Location: Ellensburg WA.

Overnight: Red Lion, Lewiston, ID.

Finish Location: Pizza by Chico, Moses Lake, WA.

Classes: Unlimited, Equipped, Seat-Of-Pants, Vintage, Novice.

From the Rally Master

A hearty ‘Thank You’ to everyone who came out to participate in the 2012 Nor’Wester! The weather cooperated, the wildfires left us alone (although the smoky haze evident almost everywhere we went reminded us that there were fires elsewhere), and the roads were still there. Everyone at the finish seemed to have had a good time, which is, after all, the whole point. As advertised, there was gravel, switchbacks, and hillclimbs. We also had the opportunity to explore the differences between Washington state washboard and Idaho washboard (Idaho having a more subtle, mature ambience in contrast to the brash, bold, youthful exuberance of Washington’s road ripple).

Thanks to our team of amazing and skilled checkpoint workers, and kudos to our Chief of Controls, Steve Perret, whose daunting task of creating the behind-the-scenes sub-rally of moving workers efficiently was handled beautifully. Thanks also to Kathryn Hansen, our tireless scoring expert, who dealt with the multitude of issues that came up in a terrific and professional manor. 63 checkpoints were scored. Hats off!

Thanks also to our start, overnight, and finish facilities, The Hampton Inn Ellensburg, the Red Lion Lewiston, and Chico’s Pizza in Moses Lake. Nothing like a flash mob of rallyists to test the hospitality industry.

Most of all, I would like to personally acknowledge the real Rallymaster of the 45th Anniversay Nor’Wester, Ron Sorem. His experience, knowledge, patience, and amazing thoroughness is what brought together the dizzying components of a two-day endurance rally. The results of his many hours of hard work were reflected in the smiling faces and enthusiastic stories that filled the room at the finish. Well done, my friend. Well done.

Roy Ward

We Graciously Thank

Results

Car TSD Day 1 TSD Day 2 TOTAL OA Car
# Driver Navigator Vehicle Class DAY 1 POS'N DAY 2 POS'N SCORE POS'N #
4WebsterHarerSubaru StiUnlimited2121513614
2CarlsonKraushaar RBMW 325iXUnlimited2012034022
7WallaceKraushaar RDSubaru ForUnlimited3031924937
3DammDammBMW 325iXUnlimited3952035943
8MitchellBiggarSubaru WRXUnlimited3842155958
9ComdenCrippenSaab 900Unlimited4573467969
10WebbKiselaSubaru RSUnlimited531036789710
5RichardsReidSubaru OBSEquipped621147910985
11GibsonWorkmanSubaru ForUnlimited41612211163911
22Thompson BHobbs EFord RangerEquipped1841267102511022
15SorensonWoodsSubaru RSWUnlimited350153783871115
6Chandler PChandler BFord ProbeSOP3281321412542126
21Fox DFox SSubaru WRXEquipped33214526148581321
17StolikerLydenSubaru Leg'ySOP62916293139221417
13LeFebvreColischBMW 325iXEquipped45710381510831513
12Thompson CThompson LHonda CRVUnlimited49912311812801612
20GobrightCarySaab 96SOP11931811391623321720
19GuerinHerrera-GuerinBMW 328Novice16121911441727561819
1RobertsHeppesMazda RX-7Unlimited66917DNF19DNF191
14DavenportSmolyanskyBMW 325iXEquippedDNF20DNF19DNF2014
16KregerBushellSubaru WRXUnlimitedDNF21DNF19DNF2116

Detailed Results

 

Pacific Coast Challenge International Rally Series: Nor'Wester 2012 is proud to serve as Round 3 of the PCC series this year. Your participation and finish position in Nor'Wester earns points in the series. We encourage you to contest all PCC events. Complete information on the series is available at the Pacific Coast Challenge Website.