clinto
Moderator, wonderful human being & practicing Deuc
Staff member
Administrator
Super Moderator
Steel Soldiers Supporter
Supporting Vendor
- 12,596
- 1,132
- 113
- Location
- Athens, Ga.
So this is a pretty big deal……………….
This announcement marks a big anniversary…………….. 10 years of the Ga. Rally. How many of you can believe we've done this for 10 years?
In 2006, the HMV hobby was growing fast. The govt. was surplussing a lot of M35A2s and CUCVs and this allowed a lot of people like me who’d always wanted a deuce to get in. My friend Rmgill, who I already knew through the Ga. MVPA, suggested we have a Saturday get together. He lives in the city, so he couldn’t host. We decided my two acres and rural location would be a decent alternative. We had 4 deuces, a 5 ton, a USN W200 Power Wagon and 2 CUCVs.
And from those humble beginnings, with the herculean effort of a lot of volunteers, the rally became a national sized event, with 121 powered vehicles in 2015. We’ve had attendees from almost every state-New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, California, Cuba, Virginia, the Czech Republic and Uruguay.
So what does 2016 hold in store for us?
A few years ago, we decided the rally was big enough. Any larger and we’d begin having the kinds of growth problems that plague larger events. We'd have to hire staff, as we couldn't get enough volunteers. We were happy with 100+ vehicles, so we began trying to improve the event. We used the profits from the MKT operation to purchase tents, tables and chairs so people could eat in the shade and stay dry if it rained. We bought hand washing stations so attendees could wash their hands. Last year, we bought a public address system so we could call out announcements to the attendees.
So 2016 will be more of the same. We're looking to streamline and improve the event. Looking to make a better rally experience for the end user.
Before I go any further, we ask that users not create 2016 rally threads on their own. Any unauthorized threads will be deleted. The rally already has the official info thread, buy/sell/swap thread and potentially convoy-to-event and t-shirt threads. One event does not need a dozen threads.
Also, please keep comments in this thread related to the rally-although we’re all excited about the event, a thread with 500 posts is overwhelming to someone who just found it and has never been to the rally and wants to learn what they need to know to attend.
If you’ve been to the rally before, 2016 will be very familiar to you. No major changes from 2015.
If you haven’t been before, then watch this and then start reading:
https://youtu.be/cbLE9T6gDGI
If you've never been and you want to see thousands of pictures from prior years, you can see them all, broken down by years:
2015: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?145969-Official-15-Ga-Rally-Multimedia-thread
2014: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...014-SS-Georgia-Rally-Multimedia-SSGR14-thread
2013: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?114102-Official-2013-Ga-Rally-multimedia-thread
2012: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...timedia-thread
2011: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/ga-rall...ia-thread.html
2010: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/ga-rall...ia-thread.html
2009: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/ga-rall...ia-thread.html
2008: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/ga-rall...ia-thread.html
2007: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/ga-rall...bs-thread.html
There is a Facebook page that's open to the public (i.e. I don't think you need to have a Facebook account in order to view the albums): https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaMilitaryVehicleRally/photos/?tab=albums
What:
The 2016 Ga. Military Vehicle Rally (16GMVR) is open to all military vehicles, foreign and domestic and all historic military vehicle enthusiasts. The rally features vehicle displays (in a laid back, non organized fashion), swap meet, trail rides (offroading), hardball convoy (an organized convoy to a local state park), camping, breakfast/lunch/dinners served from an authentic military kitchen trailer; all in a relaxed, family friendly environment.
When:
October 19-23, 2016. Rain or shine.
Where:
Durhamtown Plantation-an offroading facility in Union Point, Georgia. 2350 Randolph Church Rd, Union Point, GA 30669, 770.622.0148. GoogleMaps link:https://goo.gl/maps/dWVZt6K1iuR2
Who:
We are Low Range Productions, a small, non-profit, all volunteer organization that puts on the event. We have put the event on non-stop, since 2007. You are a historic military vehicle enthusiast, interested in the preservation of military vehicles from all eras and countries.
Why:
Because this is one of the best rallies in the country. Great offroading, with obstacles, mud or easy trails, great swap meet, laid back atmosphere, beautiful fall weather, etc. If you miss this event, you’ll regret it.
How (much):
The rally doesn’t charge for anything other than food. It’s free to be a swap met vendor and if you bring your own food, you won’t pay for food. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s free. Durhamtown will charge you for the following:
A. Attendance to the rally. You're using Durhamtown's facilities and they charge for this. Spectator fees (armbands) can be purchased as Multi-Day (3-5 days) for $20 or $10/day @ Lodge (Main Building).
B. Lodging: If you sleep overnight on the premises, you will be charged for whatever is appropriate (primitive camping, an RV rental spot, a cabin or a Durhamtown RV). If you leave the rally each evening and stay offsite, obviously you won’t pay for anything other than your day pass. For campers, (General Camping, Vendors, Etc.) will require a parking pass this year to be displayed on the rearview mirror or dash. You will receive this when paying for RV Site, Camping site. Security staff from Durhamtown will be monitoring the Rally area to ensure that all overnight campers have this displayed.
RV Sites with power require reservations. 706-622-4108
$15 (primitive) Camping-No Power-Sewer-Electric (706-622-4108-Use Promo Code: Military Rally) - This is the people who are camping in their vehicles or tents.
Meal Tickets for the Convoy/Park/Eat @ A.H. Stephens State Park is $10 per person. This includes the parking pass for the state park. Purchase meal ticket from Durhamtown @ Registration Tent or Buy in advance from Durhamtown. All tickets are non-refundable.
C. Offroading fees. If you go out on the trails, you will either pay a drivers fee or a passengers fee. You can buy a Multi-Day drivers pass (3-5 days) for $80 or a single day pass at the Lodge for $20/day. If all you are is an offroading spectator, spectator armband prices apply.
Durhamtown plans on having employees at our Registration Tent to take attendee payments, to save attendees from having to go to the Durhamtown Lodge. Kids 12 and Under FREE: Spectator/Passenger Armband (Does Not apply for riding in the ATV/Bike Parks).
That’s the basics. Here’s the details:
Oct. 19-23, 2016. A few people show up earlier than Wednesday, but the rally doesn’t officially begin until Wednesday. The main days are Friday and Saturday. Sunday morning, the place clears out quickly. If you can only make one day, don’t plan on it being Sunday. Activities begin in earnest around 0900. There are night trail rides, so I’d say activities continue until 2200 or 2300 hours. Since the rally doesn't begin until Wednesday, if you show up on Monday and pick out a place, you may be asked to move once the staff shows up and begins organizing the field. Just a heads up.
Durhamtown Plantation is an offroad facility with tens of thousands of acres. There are areas that are dedicated to hunting, shooting, motocross bikes, ATVs and full size Jeep/truck trails. Durhamtown allows attendees to camp in their vehicles or tents for a primitive camping fee and they also offer cabins with varying levels of amenties and permanently parked RVs thatact as cabins. Durhamtown has shower and bathroom facilities on the property so primitive campers have access to such amenities. Durhamtown’s address is 2350 Randolph Church Rd, Union Point, GA 30669 and their number is 770.622.0148. 10 years ago, they said that standard internet GPS programs (MapQuest, Yahoo/Google maps) would take you to some pretty crazy places because D-town was in such a rural area. They still have this disclaimer on their website, but I suspect map apps have gotten a lot better. I know I tried Google maps and it got me to D-town correctly. However, in order to ensure you don’t get lost, I would make sure you know how to get there before leaving. Their website has directions (here: www.durhamtown.com/#!contact/cq4e). If you plan on renting an RV space at the rally field (they have about 10 spots with power and water) or a cabin or RV, you need to call their main office or go to their website and get your reservation. These fill up fast, so prepare accordingly.
What do I do when I get there:
The first thing you should do when you get there is going to the Durhamtown Lodge if you are renting a cabin or an RV or renting an RV spot in the rally field. Get squared away with them first and then come down to the rally field. When you get there, stop at the rally registration tent. DO NOT GO ANYWHERE ELSE FIRST. Stop at the tent. They’ll get you squared away for the rally. They’ll tell you where to go, they’ll tell you any late changing information that this thread may not contain, they’ll take your money for the spectators fees, etc. They’ll direct you towards the parking/camping/swap meet areas.
Swap meet vendors:
We have enough space that we allow vendors to take as much space as they need. Please be polite and take only what you need. If you show up with a 53’ tractor trailer, we’ll make sure you get all the room you need and the way we can do that is making sure that space taken Is appropriate. There are aisles or rows set up in the swap meet area and we ask that vendors do not take their everyday transport vehicles in and out of the swap meet- we need to limit the amount of vehicles in movement in the swap meet area for safety. It’s tight quarters and with so many children and pets, we do not want someone getting accidentally run over. When you arrive at the rally, the registration tent personnel will direct you to the swap meet director and that person will show you where to go.
There is a buy/sell/trade thread for the rally. You can post what you're looking for and what you can bring for sale here: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...-Military-Vehicle-Rally-buy-sell-trade-thread
Campers:
When you get there and you hit the registration tent, they’ll take your money for the primitive camping fees and point you in the general direction of where you need to go and you can pick out the area that makes you happy. Once you’ve left the registration tent, you can get your campsite set up and begin enjoying the rally.
Offroaders:
The offroading and trail rides are simply spectacular-we have everything from the very mildest trailrides that you could take a 100 point, trailer queen restored WWII Jeep on with absolutely no worries, all the way to very challenging terrain and of course, mud. Durhamtown does have a swamp, so if you love repacking wheel bearings-we can indulge. We always have 5 ton wreckers at the event, so there is no recovery operation we aren’t capable of performing. The opportunity to see a Deuce or 5 ton taking on a complicated obstacle course is awesome- and getting to see a 70+ year old Jeep showing that it still has what it takes to get the job done is something anyone can appreciate. And if you’ve never been on a night ride-offroading in the dark is super fun. One change from previous years: the rally will not be running “official trail rides” with trail ride leaders. Let me explain:
From the very first rally at D-town in 2008, we have struggled with this. It’s been the most difficult aspect of the rally to manage. We tried putting announcements (i.e. “trail ride departing at 1330 hours”) on a dry erase board and people didn’t see it. We tried announcing it over the PA system and people couldn’t always hear it or were offsite when the announcements were made. We tried having set departure times and attendees would be running late and not be able to make it, or, worse, trailrides would last longer than anticipated and then that would throw off the latter trailride times. Another issue we ran into was some trailrides would have 3 participants and some would have 20. Big trailrides create traffic jams in the woods and also pair trail ride particpants unevenly: You will have some in the group who want a mild, quick moving ride with some who will get themselves very, very stuck and the recovery will be time consuming. This was a constant source of complaints…………
So this year, we’re gonna’ try something new. We are not going to organize the trail rides ourselves. We feel that the rally has gotten so large and so many people know one another, that we can begin to nurture an organic trailride environment where the attendees and participants are in control. We imagine small groups of friends banding together and going out on their own adventures. This way, participants can create the trailride experience they most want. If you are a mild trailrider, you can grab a couple of your like-minded friends and go explore on your own. If you get stuck, send one of your party up to the RT and we can dispatch a recovery unit. This is an experiment that we’re trying for the first time in 2016, so if it doesn’t work, we’ll keep working on it for 2017. Of course, if you don’t know a lot of people at the rally, we’ll help you with this as well. Come to the RT and we’ll make an announcement over the PA and put up on the dry erase board that you’re looking for people to go on a ride.
Absolutely, unequivocally, no driving will be allowed if we think you’ve been drinking.
Hardball convoy:
The hardball convoy is another way that the rally offers attendees an opportunity to participate with their vehicles. We take a group on a short trip (approximately 20 miles one way) on Saturday morning. Last year, we went to a local State Park and D-town was on site and fed everyone a basic lunch (hot dogs, chips, drinks, etc.) We will have videographers and photographers filming the action. You can see last years action below. Convoy participants will need to show rally staff their vehicle insurance card for our insurance policy. Participants need to line up at 1030 hours Saturday morning to prepare for an 1100 hours departure. Expect a 3 hour event. NOTE: Hardball convoy participants are required to run with their headlights on. We ask that emergency flashers not be used, since this is technically illegal for a vehicle in normal operation. We also ask that drivers not honk horns at the videographers-we’re trying to capture the distinctive sounds of the vehicles in actions, not a cacophony of horns blowing. Don’t worry-the videographer can see you.
2015 Hardball convoy:
https://youtu.be/c5X6vSMOqBQ
NOTE: If you want to take part in the hardball convoy, you need to sign up with Durhamtown at the registration tent when you arrive and we (Ga. Rally) need to take a picture of your valid insurance card for the vehicle you're taking on the convoy. If you do not sign up and get a meal ticket, then there won't be any food for you!
Food:
Our military kitchen trailer will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Depending upon how early we get set up on Wednesday, a light dinner may be available. On Sunday morning, some limited breakfast options will be available. Menus and prices will be added later (we’re still working on it and sometimes, changing prices and raw source materials alter our guidelines).
Of course, you can always bring your own food and D-town has a small onsite café that serves the basics.
Call for Volunteers
The Georgia Rally is run by volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talents to make this event happen. We are not paid, have full time jobs and are driven by a passion to help the historic military vehicle hobby grow and prosper. Please keep this fact in mind when you have complaints, or feel that the guy camping next to you snores to loud.
Volunteering makes the rally happen. Please use your gifts and talents to help where you are comfortable and can make a difference. If you do volunteer, you are making a commitment and as fine men and women you need to honor that commitment. Please PM me or post in the rally volunteers thread if you are committed to helping and making a difference.
Volunteers Needed:
MKT: Military Kitchen Preparation and Cleanup. There is always preparation for each meal and clean up after the meals where assistance is needed. On Sunday morning SCSG-G4 and Wreckerman have an epic morning getting the MKT prepped for the ride home. They are there for us, let’s be there for them.
Registration: We also need volunteers to man the front gate and check in rally attendees and familiarize them with the layout of the field. Kenny can't stay there the entire time; he needs time for trail rides, convoys, social time, etc. We are looking at 3-4 hour blocks of time dependent on the number of volunteers. This is a great way to meet everyone and make a difference.
Logistics: There is always a need for pickup of ice, moving this item from point A to point B, finding something and many other items. Attendees who can volunteer for 3-4 hour blocks to be available for running around and odd tasks are welcome.
We will have other needs and I will post them as the need comes up.
You can post your desire to be a better and bigger part of the MV community by posting here in the rally volunteer thread that you want to help: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?156521-2016-Ga-Military-Vehicle-Rally-volunteers-needed
Weather:
The last 12 years weather on this weekend:
2015 temps: 39/80
2014 temps: 61/88
2013 temps: 53/82
2012 temps: 45/74
2011 temps: 49/81
2010 temps: 46/79
2009 temps: 51/80
2008 temps: 46/61
2007 temps: 59/77
2006 temps: 32/59
2005 temps: 48/65
2004 temps: 56/67
Please prepare accordingly-the weather could be perfect Southern fall weather, requiring nothing more than a t-shirt or it could be very chilly and rainy. At night around the campfire, you will likely want some kind of a jacket and perhaps hat, gloves, etc.
Communications:
Durhamtown is in a rural area and cell phone reception is spotty at best. We have found text messaging to be a viable alternative to calls. Your phone will send the message when it catches a signal and the recipient will receive the message when possible.
Multimedia:
There will be a multimedia thread that I’ll put up as the rally begins. We ask that all pictures and video links be shared there, so it’ll be a central point for attendees and visitors to enjoy. There is a Facebook page for the rally, you can see it here: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaMilitaryVehicleRally/. Any time I add an update to the rally thread, I'll add it to the Facebook page.
FAQ:
Is the rally child and animal friendly?
Yes-but as in all aspects of life, please show consideration for others. Aggressive dogs or constant barkers should be managed in a respectful way and poorly behaved children will be muzzled. The Georgia Rally is a family friendly affair, so behave accordingly.
How many people will be there?
It’s safe to say we should have over 250 attendees and at least 100 military vehicles, plus trailers. Last year’s turnout was over 121 military vehicles, a little less than 200 if you count trailers.
Do I have to be a member of www.steelsoldiers.com to attend? What if I don’t own a (or can’t bring my) vehicle?
No, you have to be interested in the historic military vehicle hobby! If you do not have a vehicle, this isn’t a problem. We can probably even find someone to let you ride with on the trails if you wish to go.
Is there electricity at the rally?
Yes and no. In the general camping field, no. There are 12 spots in the main rally field you can rent from Durhamtown for $25 a day that have power and water. Some of these have 3 pin/30A power, and some have dual 3 pin/30A as well as 4 pin/50A power. All have water spigots, and they now have a sanitation hookup (added in 2015). Two of these are taken for the MKT.
Do I need to bring firewood?
YES!!!!!!! Bring an entire forest! We cannot have enough. Gimpy and Jerry like a BIG campfire. Let's give it to 'em. Pallets and other debris are not allowed. It has to be firewood-nothing that will leave behind glass, steel, nails or other fragments.
What is the rally weapons policy?
Durhamtown has a shooting range and we have seen a few snakes over the years in the woods, so firearms are allowed, but we do ask that attendees not open carry in the rally field. We are trying to promote a family friendly atmosphere and there are some PR issues at play as well. We appreciate attendees understanding on this issue.
Release of Liability
Low Range Productions, LLC and/or Durhamtown Plantation, and any person acting in conjunction with those entities will not be held liable for any injuries to anyone attending the Georgia Rally or damage to personal/private property during the Georgia Rally. All persons accept this personal responsibility and release Low Range Productions, LLC and their agents (rally organizers, volunteers, etc.) and/or Durhamtown Plantation and their agents (employees, etc.) from all and any liability resulting from injury or damages to property from or by attending the rally. Attendance at the rally is and will be understood to signify acceptance of these terms.
The LRP Georgia Rally is a Family Friendly Event. Violators will be asked to leave.
Field layout:
Here are some pictures of last years event.
This announcement marks a big anniversary…………….. 10 years of the Ga. Rally. How many of you can believe we've done this for 10 years?
In 2006, the HMV hobby was growing fast. The govt. was surplussing a lot of M35A2s and CUCVs and this allowed a lot of people like me who’d always wanted a deuce to get in. My friend Rmgill, who I already knew through the Ga. MVPA, suggested we have a Saturday get together. He lives in the city, so he couldn’t host. We decided my two acres and rural location would be a decent alternative. We had 4 deuces, a 5 ton, a USN W200 Power Wagon and 2 CUCVs.
And from those humble beginnings, with the herculean effort of a lot of volunteers, the rally became a national sized event, with 121 powered vehicles in 2015. We’ve had attendees from almost every state-New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio, Texas, California, Cuba, Virginia, the Czech Republic and Uruguay.
So what does 2016 hold in store for us?
A few years ago, we decided the rally was big enough. Any larger and we’d begin having the kinds of growth problems that plague larger events. We'd have to hire staff, as we couldn't get enough volunteers. We were happy with 100+ vehicles, so we began trying to improve the event. We used the profits from the MKT operation to purchase tents, tables and chairs so people could eat in the shade and stay dry if it rained. We bought hand washing stations so attendees could wash their hands. Last year, we bought a public address system so we could call out announcements to the attendees.
So 2016 will be more of the same. We're looking to streamline and improve the event. Looking to make a better rally experience for the end user.
Before I go any further, we ask that users not create 2016 rally threads on their own. Any unauthorized threads will be deleted. The rally already has the official info thread, buy/sell/swap thread and potentially convoy-to-event and t-shirt threads. One event does not need a dozen threads.
Also, please keep comments in this thread related to the rally-although we’re all excited about the event, a thread with 500 posts is overwhelming to someone who just found it and has never been to the rally and wants to learn what they need to know to attend.
If you’ve been to the rally before, 2016 will be very familiar to you. No major changes from 2015.
If you haven’t been before, then watch this and then start reading:
https://youtu.be/cbLE9T6gDGI
If you've never been and you want to see thousands of pictures from prior years, you can see them all, broken down by years:
2015: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?145969-Official-15-Ga-Rally-Multimedia-thread
2014: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...014-SS-Georgia-Rally-Multimedia-SSGR14-thread
2013: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?114102-Official-2013-Ga-Rally-multimedia-thread
2012: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthr...timedia-thread
2011: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/ga-rall...ia-thread.html
2010: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/ga-rall...ia-thread.html
2009: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/ga-rall...ia-thread.html
2008: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/ga-rall...ia-thread.html
2007: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/ga-rall...bs-thread.html
There is a Facebook page that's open to the public (i.e. I don't think you need to have a Facebook account in order to view the albums): https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaMilitaryVehicleRally/photos/?tab=albums
What:
The 2016 Ga. Military Vehicle Rally (16GMVR) is open to all military vehicles, foreign and domestic and all historic military vehicle enthusiasts. The rally features vehicle displays (in a laid back, non organized fashion), swap meet, trail rides (offroading), hardball convoy (an organized convoy to a local state park), camping, breakfast/lunch/dinners served from an authentic military kitchen trailer; all in a relaxed, family friendly environment.
When:
October 19-23, 2016. Rain or shine.
Where:
Durhamtown Plantation-an offroading facility in Union Point, Georgia. 2350 Randolph Church Rd, Union Point, GA 30669, 770.622.0148. GoogleMaps link:https://goo.gl/maps/dWVZt6K1iuR2
Who:
We are Low Range Productions, a small, non-profit, all volunteer organization that puts on the event. We have put the event on non-stop, since 2007. You are a historic military vehicle enthusiast, interested in the preservation of military vehicles from all eras and countries.
Why:
Because this is one of the best rallies in the country. Great offroading, with obstacles, mud or easy trails, great swap meet, laid back atmosphere, beautiful fall weather, etc. If you miss this event, you’ll regret it.
How (much):
The rally doesn’t charge for anything other than food. It’s free to be a swap met vendor and if you bring your own food, you won’t pay for food. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s free. Durhamtown will charge you for the following:
A. Attendance to the rally. You're using Durhamtown's facilities and they charge for this. Spectator fees (armbands) can be purchased as Multi-Day (3-5 days) for $20 or $10/day @ Lodge (Main Building).
B. Lodging: If you sleep overnight on the premises, you will be charged for whatever is appropriate (primitive camping, an RV rental spot, a cabin or a Durhamtown RV). If you leave the rally each evening and stay offsite, obviously you won’t pay for anything other than your day pass. For campers, (General Camping, Vendors, Etc.) will require a parking pass this year to be displayed on the rearview mirror or dash. You will receive this when paying for RV Site, Camping site. Security staff from Durhamtown will be monitoring the Rally area to ensure that all overnight campers have this displayed.
RV Sites with power require reservations. 706-622-4108
$15 (primitive) Camping-No Power-Sewer-Electric (706-622-4108-Use Promo Code: Military Rally) - This is the people who are camping in their vehicles or tents.
Meal Tickets for the Convoy/Park/Eat @ A.H. Stephens State Park is $10 per person. This includes the parking pass for the state park. Purchase meal ticket from Durhamtown @ Registration Tent or Buy in advance from Durhamtown. All tickets are non-refundable.
C. Offroading fees. If you go out on the trails, you will either pay a drivers fee or a passengers fee. You can buy a Multi-Day drivers pass (3-5 days) for $80 or a single day pass at the Lodge for $20/day. If all you are is an offroading spectator, spectator armband prices apply.
Durhamtown plans on having employees at our Registration Tent to take attendee payments, to save attendees from having to go to the Durhamtown Lodge. Kids 12 and Under FREE: Spectator/Passenger Armband (Does Not apply for riding in the ATV/Bike Parks).
That’s the basics. Here’s the details:
Oct. 19-23, 2016. A few people show up earlier than Wednesday, but the rally doesn’t officially begin until Wednesday. The main days are Friday and Saturday. Sunday morning, the place clears out quickly. If you can only make one day, don’t plan on it being Sunday. Activities begin in earnest around 0900. There are night trail rides, so I’d say activities continue until 2200 or 2300 hours. Since the rally doesn't begin until Wednesday, if you show up on Monday and pick out a place, you may be asked to move once the staff shows up and begins organizing the field. Just a heads up.
Durhamtown Plantation is an offroad facility with tens of thousands of acres. There are areas that are dedicated to hunting, shooting, motocross bikes, ATVs and full size Jeep/truck trails. Durhamtown allows attendees to camp in their vehicles or tents for a primitive camping fee and they also offer cabins with varying levels of amenties and permanently parked RVs thatact as cabins. Durhamtown has shower and bathroom facilities on the property so primitive campers have access to such amenities. Durhamtown’s address is 2350 Randolph Church Rd, Union Point, GA 30669 and their number is 770.622.0148. 10 years ago, they said that standard internet GPS programs (MapQuest, Yahoo/Google maps) would take you to some pretty crazy places because D-town was in such a rural area. They still have this disclaimer on their website, but I suspect map apps have gotten a lot better. I know I tried Google maps and it got me to D-town correctly. However, in order to ensure you don’t get lost, I would make sure you know how to get there before leaving. Their website has directions (here: www.durhamtown.com/#!contact/cq4e). If you plan on renting an RV space at the rally field (they have about 10 spots with power and water) or a cabin or RV, you need to call their main office or go to their website and get your reservation. These fill up fast, so prepare accordingly.
What do I do when I get there:
The first thing you should do when you get there is going to the Durhamtown Lodge if you are renting a cabin or an RV or renting an RV spot in the rally field. Get squared away with them first and then come down to the rally field. When you get there, stop at the rally registration tent. DO NOT GO ANYWHERE ELSE FIRST. Stop at the tent. They’ll get you squared away for the rally. They’ll tell you where to go, they’ll tell you any late changing information that this thread may not contain, they’ll take your money for the spectators fees, etc. They’ll direct you towards the parking/camping/swap meet areas.
Swap meet vendors:
We have enough space that we allow vendors to take as much space as they need. Please be polite and take only what you need. If you show up with a 53’ tractor trailer, we’ll make sure you get all the room you need and the way we can do that is making sure that space taken Is appropriate. There are aisles or rows set up in the swap meet area and we ask that vendors do not take their everyday transport vehicles in and out of the swap meet- we need to limit the amount of vehicles in movement in the swap meet area for safety. It’s tight quarters and with so many children and pets, we do not want someone getting accidentally run over. When you arrive at the rally, the registration tent personnel will direct you to the swap meet director and that person will show you where to go.
There is a buy/sell/trade thread for the rally. You can post what you're looking for and what you can bring for sale here: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showth...-Military-Vehicle-Rally-buy-sell-trade-thread
Campers:
When you get there and you hit the registration tent, they’ll take your money for the primitive camping fees and point you in the general direction of where you need to go and you can pick out the area that makes you happy. Once you’ve left the registration tent, you can get your campsite set up and begin enjoying the rally.
Offroaders:
The offroading and trail rides are simply spectacular-we have everything from the very mildest trailrides that you could take a 100 point, trailer queen restored WWII Jeep on with absolutely no worries, all the way to very challenging terrain and of course, mud. Durhamtown does have a swamp, so if you love repacking wheel bearings-we can indulge. We always have 5 ton wreckers at the event, so there is no recovery operation we aren’t capable of performing. The opportunity to see a Deuce or 5 ton taking on a complicated obstacle course is awesome- and getting to see a 70+ year old Jeep showing that it still has what it takes to get the job done is something anyone can appreciate. And if you’ve never been on a night ride-offroading in the dark is super fun. One change from previous years: the rally will not be running “official trail rides” with trail ride leaders. Let me explain:
From the very first rally at D-town in 2008, we have struggled with this. It’s been the most difficult aspect of the rally to manage. We tried putting announcements (i.e. “trail ride departing at 1330 hours”) on a dry erase board and people didn’t see it. We tried announcing it over the PA system and people couldn’t always hear it or were offsite when the announcements were made. We tried having set departure times and attendees would be running late and not be able to make it, or, worse, trailrides would last longer than anticipated and then that would throw off the latter trailride times. Another issue we ran into was some trailrides would have 3 participants and some would have 20. Big trailrides create traffic jams in the woods and also pair trail ride particpants unevenly: You will have some in the group who want a mild, quick moving ride with some who will get themselves very, very stuck and the recovery will be time consuming. This was a constant source of complaints…………
So this year, we’re gonna’ try something new. We are not going to organize the trail rides ourselves. We feel that the rally has gotten so large and so many people know one another, that we can begin to nurture an organic trailride environment where the attendees and participants are in control. We imagine small groups of friends banding together and going out on their own adventures. This way, participants can create the trailride experience they most want. If you are a mild trailrider, you can grab a couple of your like-minded friends and go explore on your own. If you get stuck, send one of your party up to the RT and we can dispatch a recovery unit. This is an experiment that we’re trying for the first time in 2016, so if it doesn’t work, we’ll keep working on it for 2017. Of course, if you don’t know a lot of people at the rally, we’ll help you with this as well. Come to the RT and we’ll make an announcement over the PA and put up on the dry erase board that you’re looking for people to go on a ride.
Absolutely, unequivocally, no driving will be allowed if we think you’ve been drinking.
Hardball convoy:
The hardball convoy is another way that the rally offers attendees an opportunity to participate with their vehicles. We take a group on a short trip (approximately 20 miles one way) on Saturday morning. Last year, we went to a local State Park and D-town was on site and fed everyone a basic lunch (hot dogs, chips, drinks, etc.) We will have videographers and photographers filming the action. You can see last years action below. Convoy participants will need to show rally staff their vehicle insurance card for our insurance policy. Participants need to line up at 1030 hours Saturday morning to prepare for an 1100 hours departure. Expect a 3 hour event. NOTE: Hardball convoy participants are required to run with their headlights on. We ask that emergency flashers not be used, since this is technically illegal for a vehicle in normal operation. We also ask that drivers not honk horns at the videographers-we’re trying to capture the distinctive sounds of the vehicles in actions, not a cacophony of horns blowing. Don’t worry-the videographer can see you.
2015 Hardball convoy:
https://youtu.be/c5X6vSMOqBQ
NOTE: If you want to take part in the hardball convoy, you need to sign up with Durhamtown at the registration tent when you arrive and we (Ga. Rally) need to take a picture of your valid insurance card for the vehicle you're taking on the convoy. If you do not sign up and get a meal ticket, then there won't be any food for you!
Food:
Our military kitchen trailer will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Depending upon how early we get set up on Wednesday, a light dinner may be available. On Sunday morning, some limited breakfast options will be available. Menus and prices will be added later (we’re still working on it and sometimes, changing prices and raw source materials alter our guidelines).
Of course, you can always bring your own food and D-town has a small onsite café that serves the basics.
Call for Volunteers
The Georgia Rally is run by volunteer leaders who dedicate their time and talents to make this event happen. We are not paid, have full time jobs and are driven by a passion to help the historic military vehicle hobby grow and prosper. Please keep this fact in mind when you have complaints, or feel that the guy camping next to you snores to loud.
Volunteering makes the rally happen. Please use your gifts and talents to help where you are comfortable and can make a difference. If you do volunteer, you are making a commitment and as fine men and women you need to honor that commitment. Please PM me or post in the rally volunteers thread if you are committed to helping and making a difference.
Volunteers Needed:
MKT: Military Kitchen Preparation and Cleanup. There is always preparation for each meal and clean up after the meals where assistance is needed. On Sunday morning SCSG-G4 and Wreckerman have an epic morning getting the MKT prepped for the ride home. They are there for us, let’s be there for them.
Registration: We also need volunteers to man the front gate and check in rally attendees and familiarize them with the layout of the field. Kenny can't stay there the entire time; he needs time for trail rides, convoys, social time, etc. We are looking at 3-4 hour blocks of time dependent on the number of volunteers. This is a great way to meet everyone and make a difference.
Logistics: There is always a need for pickup of ice, moving this item from point A to point B, finding something and many other items. Attendees who can volunteer for 3-4 hour blocks to be available for running around and odd tasks are welcome.
We will have other needs and I will post them as the need comes up.
You can post your desire to be a better and bigger part of the MV community by posting here in the rally volunteer thread that you want to help: http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?156521-2016-Ga-Military-Vehicle-Rally-volunteers-needed
Weather:
The last 12 years weather on this weekend:
2015 temps: 39/80
2014 temps: 61/88
2013 temps: 53/82
2012 temps: 45/74
2011 temps: 49/81
2010 temps: 46/79
2009 temps: 51/80
2008 temps: 46/61
2007 temps: 59/77
2006 temps: 32/59
2005 temps: 48/65
2004 temps: 56/67
Please prepare accordingly-the weather could be perfect Southern fall weather, requiring nothing more than a t-shirt or it could be very chilly and rainy. At night around the campfire, you will likely want some kind of a jacket and perhaps hat, gloves, etc.
Communications:
Durhamtown is in a rural area and cell phone reception is spotty at best. We have found text messaging to be a viable alternative to calls. Your phone will send the message when it catches a signal and the recipient will receive the message when possible.
Multimedia:
There will be a multimedia thread that I’ll put up as the rally begins. We ask that all pictures and video links be shared there, so it’ll be a central point for attendees and visitors to enjoy. There is a Facebook page for the rally, you can see it here: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaMilitaryVehicleRally/. Any time I add an update to the rally thread, I'll add it to the Facebook page.
FAQ:
Is the rally child and animal friendly?
Yes-but as in all aspects of life, please show consideration for others. Aggressive dogs or constant barkers should be managed in a respectful way and poorly behaved children will be muzzled. The Georgia Rally is a family friendly affair, so behave accordingly.
How many people will be there?
It’s safe to say we should have over 250 attendees and at least 100 military vehicles, plus trailers. Last year’s turnout was over 121 military vehicles, a little less than 200 if you count trailers.
Do I have to be a member of www.steelsoldiers.com to attend? What if I don’t own a (or can’t bring my) vehicle?
No, you have to be interested in the historic military vehicle hobby! If you do not have a vehicle, this isn’t a problem. We can probably even find someone to let you ride with on the trails if you wish to go.
Is there electricity at the rally?
Yes and no. In the general camping field, no. There are 12 spots in the main rally field you can rent from Durhamtown for $25 a day that have power and water. Some of these have 3 pin/30A power, and some have dual 3 pin/30A as well as 4 pin/50A power. All have water spigots, and they now have a sanitation hookup (added in 2015). Two of these are taken for the MKT.
Do I need to bring firewood?
YES!!!!!!! Bring an entire forest! We cannot have enough. Gimpy and Jerry like a BIG campfire. Let's give it to 'em. Pallets and other debris are not allowed. It has to be firewood-nothing that will leave behind glass, steel, nails or other fragments.
What is the rally weapons policy?
Durhamtown has a shooting range and we have seen a few snakes over the years in the woods, so firearms are allowed, but we do ask that attendees not open carry in the rally field. We are trying to promote a family friendly atmosphere and there are some PR issues at play as well. We appreciate attendees understanding on this issue.
Release of Liability
Low Range Productions, LLC and/or Durhamtown Plantation, and any person acting in conjunction with those entities will not be held liable for any injuries to anyone attending the Georgia Rally or damage to personal/private property during the Georgia Rally. All persons accept this personal responsibility and release Low Range Productions, LLC and their agents (rally organizers, volunteers, etc.) and/or Durhamtown Plantation and their agents (employees, etc.) from all and any liability resulting from injury or damages to property from or by attending the rally. Attendance at the rally is and will be understood to signify acceptance of these terms.
The LRP Georgia Rally is a Family Friendly Event. Violators will be asked to leave.
Field layout:
Here are some pictures of last years event.
Last edited:
We will be heading up on the 17th.
