The 2007 "annual" Back Roads Rally was enjoyed by those who participated, so it's back for 2008 ... with an updated route and new pictures! This year the "New England Seacoast Rally" will be a unique photo rally. Rain or shine, the rally will start on the waterfront in Newburyport, Massachusetts and will hug the coastline up to the Portland Head Lighthouse in Maine. At just under 110 miles, it's a pleasant day's drive. With stops for lunch and sightseeing, most people will finish the route in under 6 hours.

For those who may not know, the WMC Back Roads Rallies are not races; there are no check points or clocks to contest with and no experience necessary! The format's simple and fun, and the route instructions easy to follow. The challenge is to put a set of photos in order so they match the things you see along the way. Then, you put the numbers on the answer sheet, and the scoring awards seeing everything and getting the order of things correct.

There's no advanced registration for this event. On-site registration will be open from 9-10 AM at the Newburyport, MA Visitor's Center parking lot in the back at the pier near the Black Cow restaurant. The registration fee will be $25/car payable by cash or check written out to "White Mountain Chapter, BMW CCA". This covers the cost of the event, but does not include lunch or dinner. At least one person in each car must be a BMW CCA member, so please bring your BMW CCA I.D. card or a Roundel address label. Non-members can join the club at registration for $40 and enjoy club benefits for a full year.

There are no events to display.

As in previous rallies, there will be two classes: Competition (two person team) and Touring (unlimited number of passengers). There will be awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishing teams in both classes. An awards ceremony will be held about 4 PM and afterwards, you can join other rally teams at a "buy your own" dinner at Two-Lights Lobster Shack at Cape Elizabeth or DeMillos Floating Restaurant in Portland, depending on the size of the dinner party. Directions to the restaurants from the rally end point will be included in the rally package.

For this event, we are encouraging everyone to help support the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, a non-profit organization in Bedford, N.H. that cares for homeless, neglected, or abandoned and strives to improve the relationship between people and pets through adoption and education. There will be ARL volunteers at the start of the event to explain more about the ARL's operations and how you can help them in their cause. You can donate money and/or supplies from their wish list. Even if you cannot attend the event, the ARL could use your support!

There's no advanced registration for this event. However, to assure we have enough rally packages for everyone, please let the event coordinator, Thomas Blinn, know you plan to attend. Have any questions? Want a copy of the rally cover sheet? Contact the event coordinator.

Wonder what you're missing? Check out pictures from past events

The most recent Road Rally was on Saturday, October 18, 2008.