Conclusions
The bottom line is that the first-ever Raid North Georgia event
was a success and the organizers are already planning for next year.
Because this was the first time for this event, there were definitely
some places they can improve on and streamline for next year. Despite
snags, the organizers were professionals all weekend and participants
that completed the Raid all had a great time. I believe I heard
most say they were already looking forward to next year.
There were a few mechanical
problems that knocked teams out but in all fairness, any stock
4WD vehicle could have been successful.
Remember, the folks that won were driving a mildly modified
(tires, small lift) 2002 Nissan Frontier. The Raid was not about
extreme off-road vehicles, rahter it was more about teamwork. Most
of the teams that did not finish the Raid simply quit. The most
common complaint I heard was that the event was not ‘extreme’ enough and there was too
much street driving and not enough "real" off-roading.
I certainly see their
point. I too had visions of grandeur and expected much more
off-roading (although not necessarily ‘extreme’).
However, that is not what this event was about. If you read the
writing on the Raid logo, this event was about trail riding,
mountain biking, TSD's, canoeing, navigation runs, and
a mud drag. There was nothing on there about ‘extreme’ anything.
Okay, so maybe the Raid was not exactly what I expected
(little in my life is exactly what I expect), but I still had a great
time, as did the teams that stuck it out and finished the challenge.
Now I am looking forward to next year’s Raid!
Finally, a few thank yous for the people
that helped me cover this event (sorry if I leave anyone out) are in order.
Thank you to the organizers and their support staff who not only
helped competitors and organized the event, but also made sure
I was carted around for the best photo opportunities.Thank
you to: Kyle, Eric, Ryan, Kathy, and Heather.
Another big thank
you to Mac, Laura and Jeff, who were also support staff but I’ll
remember them most for the awesome meal Jeff cooked for us Saturday
evening.
Thanks everyone and I look forward to seeing you again
next year.
For more information and registration for the 2005 event go
to www.raidnorthgeorgia.com.
Final Scores |
Team |
Nav 1 |
Paddle |
TSD 1 |
Bike |
Nav 2 |
Hill/Mud |
Food |
Night TSD |
Night Nav |
Penalty |
Bonus |
Total |
01 |
NR |
50 |
0 |
90 |
NR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DNF |
02 |
10 |
30 |
0 |
0 |
NR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DNF |
03 |
NR |
100 |
0 |
85 |
NR |
|
|
|
|
-25 |
|
DNF |
04 |
NR |
35 |
39 |
45 |
NR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DNF |
004 |
NR |
90 |
37 |
65 |
NR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DNF |
5 |
NR |
55 |
0 |
0 |
NR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DNF |
05 |
38.75 |
75 |
0 |
80 |
20 |
90 |
100 |
88 |
55 |
|
|
546.75 |
06 |
NR |
80 |
0 |
70 |
NR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DNF |
07 |
NR |
60 |
0 |
0 |
NR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DNF |
8 |
6.25 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
|
|
|
|
|
25 |
DNF |
10 |
38.25 |
20 |
100 |
55 |
30 |
0 |
50 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
293.25 |
13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disqualified |
23 |
37.5 |
70 |
0 |
50 |
NR |
85 |
10 |
|
|
|
|
DNF |
37 |
NR |
45 |
0 |
0 |
NR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DNF |
72 |
10 |
65 |
0 |
100 |
15 |
0 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
215 |
80 |
12.5 |
40 |
3 |
60 |
30 |
100 |
50 |
0 |
10 |
|
|
305.5 |
99 |
NR |
25 |
0 |
0 |
NR |
|
|
|
|
|
|
DNF |
666 |
50 |
85 |
53 |
95 |
27.5 |
95 |
25 |
0 |
0 |
|
|
430.5 |
TEAMS
Team 01, McFann (d) Tim Pannone (n), 1969 Ford Bronco
Team 02, Danny Jennings (d) Carl Butler (n), 1978 Bronco
Team 03, Chris Billings (d) Mike BIllings (n), 1975 Ford Bronco
Team 04, Pat Hayes (d) Brett Withers (n), 1966 Ford Bronco
Team 004, Scott Wold (d) Dennis Brown (n), 1997 Land Rover Defender
90
Team 5, Matt McFann (d) William Lake (n), 1978 Ford Bronco
Team 05, Nate Murray (d) Brian Larkin (n), 2002 Nissan Frontier
Team 06, Trevor Hutton (d) Scott Hutton (n), 2001 Nissan Xterra
Team 07, Eddie Pryon (d) Jeff Degallaford (n), 1985 Chevy K10
pickup
Team 8, Gary Smart (d) Floyd SMith (n), 1977 Toyota FJ-40
Team 10, Tom Greig (d) Robert Harvey (n), 1997 Toyota Tacoma
Team 13, Disqualified
Team 23, Chris Langdon (d) Dan Wisniewski (n), 1981 Jeep J-10
Team 37, Patrick Down (d) John West (n), 1995 Land Rover Range
Rover
Team 72, Peter Beilman (d) Robbie Flowers (n), 1972 International
Scout II
Team 80, Billy Wheeler (d) Jacob Emperley (n), 1998 Jeep Grand
Cherokee
Team 99, Bill Watson (d) David Boswell (n), 1994 Land Rover Defender
Team 666, Tony Hirko (d) Wade Long (n), 1977 Jeep CJ-7
