From: Jerry Hines [jhines@eskimo.com]
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 1:15 AM
Subject: Alcan Winter Rally update & question

All,
Jerry Hines & Jim Breazeale finished 6 days of course survey December 20 (see http://www.alcan5000.com/JPG/buffalo04.jpg ) This completes most planning for days 1-7, survey for days 8&9 will be completed in January.  More info and final regs very soon but here are some quick notes, and a question for all at the end...

ICE SLALOMS:  Will total 4 this year.  Day #1 is shortened one hour by a new Washington TSD, but there simply isn't a way to squeeze in an ice event that day.

DIY TSD's:  A few will be used, probably 5 or 6 total.  These will be straightforward, and have 2 purposes:
  1) To remove pressure in populated areas. (You may vary speed as needed within these sections, then have time to turn in a scorecard at a marked final control).
  2) To enhance the Alcan's "touring" aspect and increase flexibility for weather & road conditions.  DIY TSD's after long road sections will be open for about 90 minutes instead of the usual 30.  This means if conditions are excellent, teams may start a DIY early and retain this time cushion for later stops or bad conditions.  (No, a DIY will NOT open before cars could have reached it at posted speed limits...).

FINISH:  Will be at the Anchorage Subaru dealer.  Subaru will also host our awards banquet that evening at the Millennium Hotel (former Regal Alaskan).  Please advise us if you have friends joining you at the finish, or would like your room for extra nights.  (Check the Fur Rondy schedule at http://www.furrondy.net/events.html )

QUESTION:  Here's a new option.  The current plan is to finish Day 8 in Glenallen, just 230 rally miles from Anchorage.  Fairbanks is 350 miles away, which means a very early start in order to have time for the Big Lake slalom and finish at a reasonable hour.  We'd written a new Fairbanks attraction off this year, but it just came back to life!  Want to see an ice hotel?  For info see:
http://www.chenahotsprings.com/icehotel.html   
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2001822602_icehotel28.html

Please E-MAIL YOUR VOTE NOW if you have a preference:
  1) Stay in Glenallen and have an easy last day.
  2) Stay in Fairbanks, visit the ice hotel, start at 6am the last day.

Happy Holidays!

Jerry
(425)823-6343
www.alcan5000.com