OK. Let me start off by saying that I have been associated with the MCCWDCC since the fall of 1976, as an active member (14 years as Club President – does that make me an active member?), a few years as a member in good standing (Board member, newsletter editor, etc), and, since leaving the Washington D.C. area in 1997, retaining some kind of honorary membership.

Getting back to Braille rallyes and the title of this article, I guess I actually survived 20 Braille Rallyes. My first in the summer of 1977. I remember it well, I was new to the Washington DC area, new to the MGCC and knew absolutely nothing about rallying. After two membership meetings I was told (perhaps it might have been directed) to be at the Braille Rallye – so like any new member, who didn’t know better, I showed up at Lake Needwood Park in Montgomery County on a bright (and very hot) summer Saturday morning.

What do I remember about that rallye? Well, first thing I remember is that I really didn’t know a soul. I was new to the Club and really hadn’t met too many other members. I certainly didn’t have the foggiest idea about rallying (What was a T intersection??), and oh, by the way, I didn’t know beans about the roads of
Montgomery County.

After all the registration “formalities” I met my navigator, a Braille reader named Andy. He had so much faith in my driving skills and we really did enjoy our ride through the countryside – following rallye instructions, turning here, there and (almost) everywhere. Maybe Andy and I were enjoying the rallye too much because – hey, remember, I didn’t know beans about rallying and we got lost, BOY, DID WE EVER GET LOST. We did manage to eventually finish, with the help of the bailout envelope, and returned to the park for a great picnic, boat rides, awards, etc. It really proved to be awesome. I finally did get the chance to meet several Club members who, 21 years later, I still call my friends.

By year number two, I was much more involved in the MGCC than I ever thought I would be. In fact, I think I was already Club President. That year, I became an important part of the Braille Rallye planning process. There’s a very long story associated with that rallye but, for now let’s just say that one of the Clubs premiere “trophies” was created and awarded on the basis of the 1978 Braille Rallye.

During my remaining 18 years of Club participation, there were 18 more Braille Rallyes, some were less than memorable but some of them were nothing less than HOLY COW events. Torrential downpours? We had them. Hurricanes, yeah we had one of those too. How about the year that our Rrallye Master wrote a rallye that contained riddles and things – that were unfortunately way beyond the scope (and logic processes) of our rallye teams. Did anyone win?? No it was more like who was the best loser.

Then came our 25^th Anniversary Braille Rallye. As Rallye Master, I wanted to do this one up in a special way. So we ordered commemorative T-shirts for all the rallye participants. The T-shirts were black and had silver lettering commemorating the event. Nice shirts? Absolutely! Too bad the temperature that afternoon was about 98 degrees. I think everyone was ready to collapse from heat stroke.

Funny thing is that in my 20 years of association with the Club, I only drove in 2 Braille Rallyes. But I was fully committed to each and every Rallye, either as Rallye Master or as a worker. There is such a great feeling giving your time to have a good time while doing something special for some very special people.

Back in the late 70’s our Spark editor, trying to promote the event directed that all Club members with odd numbered membership numbers were required to participate in the Rallye. And you know, we had 50 cars at the Rallye.

So… its as easy as this, if the membership number on your SPARK mailing label shows an even number, you are mandated to be at the park for this year’s Braille Rallye. On the other hand, if your mailing label shows an odd number, send your car – you can stay home if you want.

Seriously though, this is an event that needs YOU, your Car and your family. Yes, your family too. Sure you have to be there with your car but it is equally important to have rallye workers too. The rallye needs checkpoint workers and picnic workers. Make this year’s Braille Rallye the best one ever…. BE THERE.