Official STPR Guide

FromTheir goal for this Wellsboro event was to finish and gainexperience.I was attracted to car 702, the team of Tim Oliver andSid Sareen, because of their rally mascot, Stig, the gray tigercat on a leash. Sareen, a native of India, now lives in WhitePlains, N.Y., and Oliver from Wannamasa N.J. This was thesecond event these men have competed as a team.After wishing the teams good luck, I went back rallyheadquarters at the fairgrounds, where I worked in net controlto record information for the event's various social media.STPR – view from theVIP busBy Mary HartmanThis was my third year being medic for the VIP bus.Previously I mostly was assigned to general spectator points. Ilike the bus – got a ride, got a smaller group of spectators, andlunch is included!The bus arrived at the Tioga County Fairgrounds registrationbuilding at 8:50 Saturday morning. There was some initialconfusion. Apparently different leave times were given topassengers. Most were told 9:00, while some were told 9:45.We left the registration building around 9:20 as we waited forsome latecomers. About 15 minutes later as we were headingout of Wellsboro, we were radioed to head back, as there werepeople back at the registration building. People on the bus gotupset, and some of the stage workers were anxious that theywould get there too late to set up. It was decided to head to thestage, much to the relief of those on the bus.Our first stop was stage 7. We watched the approximately60 cars go through the station, with some beeping a greeting asthey went by. Some cars slid through, some splashed the puddleon the outer edge of the corner, and some drove neatly around.At one point, we were briefly joined by a couple drivers whoseengine blew before our corner. They said there was another carnear them that slid off the road and hit a tree. After a brief stay,they returned to their car to join the sweep vehicles.We then moved on to stage 11, where we had our sandwichwraps, veggie dip, cookies, and bottled water. Things weredelayed and then word came that this leg was to be a transitto make up for lost time. Our passengers were disappointed,but accepted the decision, especially after they were told theywould get a refund.We still had a good time waving to the cars as they wentby. Many drivers waved and/or beeped back at us. Of specialinterest was car 689, who had friends and relatives on the bus.We got back to the fairgrounds early, with time to spare beforethe super special stage.Detota and Hirsh raising awareness of breast cancer.Photo courtesy of Lynn RandallNavigator Matt Rhoads, last year’s Charity Rallymastermoved up to the “big time” this year.Photo courtesy of Mary HartmanThe Sherwood Forest winning carof Pritchard and Scott on theWaste Management StagePhoto by Jason/DirtyImpreza.comIn Memory of:"STPR ® would like to remember DeeDee Sweeney, RadioOperator and Merchandise Sales from 2008 through 2010 andmother to Amy Smith, STPR ® Committee."29