Speedway, Ind. ~ Rally fans heading to upstate Pennsylvania for the 43rdannual Waste Management Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally will see some beneficial changes in store upon their arrival.
STPR®, which was historically held in early summer, moves to mid-September this year and promises spectators a chance to see some of the best stage rally teams in North America. As of September 10, a robust 75 teams have registered for the annual event.
“With STPR® being held in September and being eighth on the national schedule rather than third in June like last year, we were expecting to see a huge field of competitors in 2019 due to the hunt for championship points,” said James Monks of Wellsboro, 2019 STPR® rally chairman.
The rally opens Thursday at 6:30 PM with a parc exposé on The Green in downtown Wellsboro, followed by a ceremonial start. Friday and Saturday will feature two full days and more than 150-stage-miles on forestry roads in Tioga and Potter counties as well as the revamped Waste Management property near Wellsboro.
STPR® will no longer hold events at the Tioga County Fairgrounds, instead transitioning to longer stages and better spectating areas at the Waste Management complex. The company has built brand-new spectator areas on its property and fans will be able to view the rally from four different vantage points. The venue and will serve as the main service area for the weekend and Saturday nights podium celebration.
Along with several spectator areas on stages, fans will be able to view the rally from four different vantage points at the Waste Management complex:
Grassy Knoll Spectator Area - It sits on top of a hill with plenty of space for many spectators for parking, canopies and lawn chairs. There will be food vendors and portable bathrooms onsite. From this grassy knoll, spectators can see and hear rally cars on Waste Management's STPR 2019 short and long courses. It's especially thrilling at night when spectators can see headlights punctuating the dark sky as rally cars travel the course. Spectators can come and go from this spectator spot as they wish.
Inside Loop Spectator Area - A great place to see rally action, this spectator area is perfect for photographers who want to get closer to the cars running the course. Visible from this spectator area are major portions of the short and longer courses as well as the jump. There is space for parking, canopies and lawn chairs. There will be food vendors and portable bathrooms onsite. This spectator area is all dirt. Once in this area, spectators will not be able to leave until the rally is over.
The Pit Mound Spectator Area - Grass has been newly planted so spectators cannot put up canopies. It is recommended they bring umbrellas to protect themselves from the sun and the rain. Spectators can get in and out of this site during the rally and will have access to food vendors and portable bathrooms.
The Jump Spectator Area - Spectators who have attended STPR® in previous years will be familiar with this spectator area. This is where all of the jump photos have been taken in the past. There will be portable bathrooms but no food vendors here.
Waste Management Service Area - It is located between the ticket booth and all spectator areas, which are about the same distance from the service area. Spectators are welcome here to see the rally cars, competitors and crews.
Tickets for the spectator area are available for purchase at the gate. Admission is $7 on Friday, $5 on Saturday or $10 for both days. Children under 12 and active military personnel with identification will be admitted free.
For more information about the rally, visit the STPR® website at www.stpr.org or www.americanrallyassociation.com