Star-Herald Sugar Valley Rally by Star-Herald

2011 Sugar Valley Rally

www.sugarvalleyrally.com

Thursday, June 2, 2011 Tech Inspection 5:00 p.m. WNCC Auto Tech Building (E. 27th St., ½ Blk. N on 17th Ave.)

Friday, June 3, 2011 Rally School – Harms Technology Center (2620 College Park, Scottsbluff) Lunch for Rallyists – Harms Technology Center Practice Rally Start – Harms Technology Center (Public Invited) Pit Stop – Melbeta (Public Invited) Finish – Heilbruns NAPA (230340 Highland Rd.) Business After Hours (Public Invited)

10:00 a.m. 12:00 Noon 1:00 p.m. 2:40 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 4:20 p.m.

Cars on display until 6:30 p.m.

Stage 1 Saturday, June 4, 2011 Ceremonial Start -Western Nebraska Regional Airport, (250034 Airport Terminal St.) (Public Invited) 7:00 a.m. Pit Stop – Guernsey, WY (Public Invited) 9:50 a.m. Lunch Stop – Wheatland, WY(Public Invited) 11:35 a.m. Pit Stop – Guernsey, WY (Public Invited) 1:20 p.m. Finish - Western Nebraska Regional Airport, (250034 Airport Terminal St.) (Public Invited) 4:05 p.m.

Stage 2 Sunday, June 5, 2011 Breakfast - Knights of Columbus (1719 1st Ave., Scb.) (Public Invited-Fee Charged)

Start - Knights of Columbus (Public Invited) Fuel Stop – Bridgeport (Public Invited) Chimney Rock Visitors Center Finish - Cozad’s Ford Garage (1836 7th St., Gering) (Public Invited) Lunch (Public Invited) Awards Presentation - (Public Invited)

6:00 7:30 9:15 10:05 11:20

a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m. a.m.

11-1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

2011 Sugar Valley Rally

Rally more than a ‘We’re really green’ drive in the country By RICK WILLIS Staff Reporter

There’s an art to competing in the Sugar Valley Rally. Organizers call it precision driving. Participants call it nervewracking or challenging. The 100-200 mile per day course is mapped by a car with a rally computer on board and assigns times for the classes of cars to get from checkpoint to checkpoint. Navigators and drivers attend a pre-rally “school” which explains the hieroglyphics that guide the drivers via the instruction book. Just one second off per mile could put a car 400 seconds off time for the weekend. “We try to limit the maximum mileage to 200 miles. Any longer and it’s hard to get cars back in and out on time,” Ray Palser, past chairman of the SVR, said. “There’s always a lunch consideration when we are looking for host cities and of course the need for the potty break.” Palser said slower cars have less instructions, the unlimited class of cars have a longer course, although the same destination. Each day the course is different and needs a new set of instructions. “Navigators can use a factory speedometer, an analog time

piece and are allowed to carry a stop watch,” Palser said. “They don’t like you to use radio gear or GPS. Besides, you can do better with your own time piece and knowing how your car functions.” Longtime volunteer Ray Richardson sees the event as a time for people to showcase their cars to the public. “It’s a social gathering of people who have a passion of antique and older cars,” Ray Richardson, a long-time volunteer said. “Having an older car that’s running better now than when it was new is remarkable. Some of the cars that come through our valley are amazing.” Richardson said that the cars themselves come with unique histories. “Ever y car has a stor y,” Richardson said. “How they bought it, found it at a sale or under a pivot in a field.” The SVR has been around for 23 years and Richardson is heartened to see a new guard. “It’s great seeing the 16 and 18 year olds helping out or navigating with the dads and granddads, passing the tradition on doing the best they can,” Richardson said. Some participants look forward to the event all year long. “Intoxicating,” Kevin Mooney,

participant/navigator calls it. “I never even thought of being in it until Rob (Barney) asked me to.” Palser said the rally is for vintage car owners to show the cars off to the world. “People have vintage cars and like to get them out and show them off,” Palser said. “They run them and add friendly competitions in.” Palser added that the event is called Sugar Valley for a reason. “The sugar valley runs up and down the valley so we tr y to show the cars off here in the panhandle,” Palser said. “That way we all benefit from the nice cars that come to the rally.” Local cars are also part of the mix. The SVR keeps the entr y fee low to keep the event local. “We have the lower fee out of concern for rally committee to keep it a local event,” Palser said. “What money we do get goes back to the awards. Palser said he and his wife Marcia have competed in the past and had fun getting out and seeing the countr y, and valuing the time with each other. There will be several locations the public can see the cars, which is a big part of the SVR. For more information, log on to http://www.sugar valleyrally.com/.

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■ Gering men to compete in their first Sugar Valley Rally By RICK WILLIS Staff Reporter

Three on a tree. Rober t Sibal’s downshifting to yesteryear as he plans to run his dad’s 1948 Ford Coupe in this year’s Sugar Valley Rally. “We thought it sounded like fun,” Sibal said. “We’re just jumping in full force with no experience at all.” Sibal and navigator Craig Walter, both of Gering, were planning on running the car over the Memorial Day Weekend, but really not sure how they should be training for the event. “We’re really not sure what to practice,” Sibal said. “I’m going to talk with Mike Vorse to see what to do.” Vorse has navigated in the past for Gar y Netherland in a 1957 Ford Fairlane Skyliner. Sibal is a car/old vehicle guy.

Not a

He has an old Ford Bronco and a vintage Ford 1965 Mustang hanging around. He also likes collecting old tractors and has a John Deere 1948-A and a John Deer 1942-B, “all works in progress.” While he hasn’t driven the Ford Coupe much at all, he’s tuned it up—points, oil changes and radiator—but for the most part it’s been waiting. “The car’s been around forever,” Sibal said. “My dad, Bernie Sibal, found it in Bridgeport. It’s only got 1,400 miles on it since he finished it.” His dad did a body-off restoration starting in 1977 and finished it in 1993. Sibal hopes that the car stays in the family for a long time. “The car does mean a lot to me,” Sibal said. “I hope to hand it down to my son, Conrad, some day. That’s important to me.” As for the weekend of racing, Sibal is just going to have to wing it this first year, “I’m excited and a little ner vous,” Sibal said. “We’re really green.”

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2011 Sugar Valley Rally

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Owner: Rob & Veronica Barney Gering, NE Driver: Rob Barney Gering, NE Navigator: Kevin Mooney Gering, NE

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1940 Buick Special

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2011 Sugar Valley Rally

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37 Owner:

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2011 Sugar Valley Rally

Four family members, two cars, one friendly family rivalry By KATIE BRADSHAW Staff Reporter

There’s been some good-natured trash talk in the Netherland and Vorse families of late. With four family members competing in two cars in the Sugar Valley Rally this year, a friendly rivalry has developed. With his mechanic son-in-law Mike Vorst as navigator, Gary Netherland drove in the past three rallies, the first in a 1974 Datsun 260Z and the latter two in his red and white 1957 Ford Skyliner. Gary recently acquired a black 1948 Dodge four-door sedan from a former co-worker. This year, both the Skyliner and Dodge are entered in the rally. Both Gary and his wife, Barb Netherland, will be competing. Barb said she has been asked several times whether she will navigate while Gary drives. “No!” is her emphatic answer, delivered with a laugh. “We’ll be fine as long as we’re not in the same car.” Gary and Mike will reprise their partnership in the Skyliner. Barb will be piloting the Dodge with grandson Brent Vorse, Mike’s son, as her navigator. Though he only just completed his sophomore year at Mitchell High School, the 2011 rally will be Brent’s second run as navigator. Last year, he was drafted at the last minute by a Texas driver who didn’t have a navigator. He didn’t even

have a chance to attend “navigator school” and learn the tricks of the trade. The impromptu team didn’t place very high, but Brent considered the experience a success. “We didn’t get last,” he said. On May 23, Barb, Executive Director of the North Platte Valley Museum, drove the Dodge to work to get some practice with it. She admitted that on one of her past practice drives in the car, she had neglected to release the emergency brake and drove around with the brake engaged. It takes some time to get used to any car, she explained. The evening of her test drive to work, Barb parked the Dodge next to the Skyliner in the parking lot of the Sugar Valley Federal Credit Union, where Gary works. Barb, Gary, Brent, and Brent’s mom, Angie Vorse, who Barb described as a rally “cheerleader,” gathered around the cars to talk about the competition. Brent threw an arm around his grandmother’s shoulders and bragged about their chances in the race. “We’ll beat them, of course,” he said, referring to his father and grandfather. “We’ve got beginner’s luck.” He said he doesn’t expect to come in first place. He just plans to see “Netherland B / Vorse B” team place higher than the “Netherland

Photo by Katie Bradshaw

The grandmother-grandson Sugar Valley Rally team Barb Netherland and Brent Vorse, who will pilot a 1948 Dodge, have been exchanging some friendly family trash talk with their father/son-in-law competitors Gary Netherland and Mike Vorse (not pictured), who will drive the 1957 Ford Skyliner. G / Vorse M” team. Barb said she’s looking forward to sharing the rally experience with Brent, regardless of the outcome. “I get to hang out with my grandson,” she said. Barb said she and Brent have been trying to figure out how to get a “boom box” in the Dodge. Gary and Mike already have their music entertainment all set. Gary

recently installed a new stereo system in the Skyliner. At the mention of the Skyliner’s sound system, Barb exclaimed in mock indignation, “I’ve been a rally widow for about six weeks!” Gary said it’s hard to find time to work on his cars. He is also employed by Western Sugar and does shift work nine months of the year. Since he bought the Skyliner

three years ago he has been meaning to restore the car’s non-functional retracting hardtop. “I said last year it’ll be this year,” that the car’s convertible roof gets fixed, Gary commented. Regardless of the operability of the Skyliner’s roof, Gary said he enjoys the rally, because it is a good opportunity to “meet a lot of nice people from all over.”

Couple continuing family tradition during Sugar Valley Rally By MAUNETTE LOEKS Staff Reporter

Sandy Willard and her husband, Josh, are continuing a family tradition. The couple will race in the 23rd annual Sugar Valley Rally the first weekend of June. Sandy Willard started racing in the Sugar Valley Rally at the young age of 20, following in the footsteps of her parents, Norm and Christy

Strong. Her cousin acted as her navigator during that first race. The race is a family tradition. Her father, Norm, races with her uncle acting as navigator and her mother teams up with her aunt, who navigates for her. “The Sugar Valley Rally is a family event for us,” she said. “It is a way for us to get together for a weekend and do something we

enjoy. We are all car people.” Luckily, her husband also comes from a family of “car people.” The couple met at a North Platte car show, where Sandy Willard showed off her 1967 Camaro. The car-mance evolved into marriage, with the couple married three years in August. It was true love and the couple has paired up three times for the

Sugar Valley Rally. During last year’s rally, the couple placed first in their division, the limited class. With that placement, they have earned a spot in the limited pro class. “It will be some new competition for us,” Sandy Willard said. Sandy Willard says she loves the challenge of the rally. “The whole thing can be stress-

ing at times,” she said. “Being sure that you are keeping your speed at 30 miles per hour. Following the directions. We have taken wrong turns and missed signs. (When you do) You hope that you didn’t mess up your time too bad. And, when you do, you just laugh it off and go on with your day.” See COUPLE, page 14

2011 Sugar Valley Rally

This year, Wylie is ‘Running for April’ By ROGER HOLSINGER Assistant Editor

Pete Wylie will once again be part of the Sugar Valley Rally. But Wylie has been part of all the rallies. Wylie said the first year of the race he was not too popular around his house because his wife, Jeanne, was seven months pregnant. More than 20 years later, Wylie said his wife reminds him of her condition when he first decided to be part of the rally. While he has participated in all of the rallies, this year’s event is very special, as he will be “Running for April.” Wylie’s daughter, April, a 2008 Scottsbluff High School graduate was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia on Oct. 19. April is on the road to recovery, which makes this year’s rally even sweeter for Wylie and his family. The rally is definitely a family affair as the 1933 Hupmobile was purchased by Pete’s brother, Bill, and Pete’s children, Peter and April, have both participated. This year marks the fourth year Pete and Peter will work together. While Wylie has been a part of all the rallies, there were at least two years when he wasn’t able to finish due to mechanical problems. During the first rally, Wylie and navigator Perry Ferguson, were only able to travel eight to 10 miles

before they would have to stop to clean out the fuel filter and lines due to “crud” in the gas tank. During the first year the sedan went through three fuel pumps. “During that first race we were about eight miles from the end of the race, and the manual fuel pump wouldn’t work and neither would the electric one because it was missing the ground wire,” Wylie said. “Perry ran through a field and started looking around and came back with a piece of wire about a foot long. I was able to hook it up and we were able to finish.” Following that rally, the tank was removed and sand blasted clean. Another story involved the car breaking down due to some bad fuel and being brought into town on the sweep vehicle. In order to get back into the race, the two, along with Peter Wylie, worked until 2 a.m. trying to repair the carburetor. “It’s pretty hard to find a thin piece of cork at 12 a.m., but thanks to Peter we were able to make a seal and start the race at 5 a.m.,” he said. The team of Wylie and Ferguson continued for 16 years, but then shifted to family with Peter and April participating. Wylie described being part of the rally as a “ball,” and an event where “you meet the neatest” people. “It’s not very often that you are involved in something where when

Photo by Roger Holsinger

Scottsbluff resident Pete Wylie leans on his 1933 Hupmobile, a car that he has used in all 23 years of the Sugar Valley Rally. This year he is dedicating the race to his daughter, April, who is working through recovery from Acute Myeloid Leukemia. you break down, everyone comes running to help you. They want to beat you, badly, but want to do it on the road,” Wylie said. He said the Hupmobile “runs like crazy up to 40 mph,” but after that you can hear the pistons. “You don’t drive it very long at 40,” he added. Something that Wylie has seen over the years that has changed the

rally is the use of modern technology. He said he prefers to use the “older” technology, adding that newer devices “take the fun” out of it. Wylie said what he enjoys most about the rally is checking in Thursday night before the rally to see what is new and visiting with people. His second favorite part is

watching people receive their awards Saturday evening. Wylie said during his years in the rally, they have won four times. So when will be his last rally? “I have no idea,” he said. “I know that this has been a treat and am thankful that Bill loved old cars. It’s really an education in automobiles.”

2011 Sugar Valley Rally

COUPLE: Race is a family tradition Continued from page 11 In the rally, the couple races a 1939 Chevy, touted to have been owned by former Eagles bassist and vocalist Randy Meisner. The Armstrongs purchased the car at an auction, Sandy Willard said. Though her parents are often urging her to drive another vehicle in the Sugar Valley Rally, she is sticking with the Chevy. “I have driven in the same vehicle since my first rally,” Sandy Willard said. “It is one of the more comfortable cars in the rally because it is bigger. We don’t want to change because it is so comfortable and we do well in it.” The couple has had to repair a few things on evenings during the rally, but “knock on wood” they have never had a break down dur-

ing the rally. “It’s a reliable car,” she said. This year, the couple will be traveling to the rally with their two-month-old son Ashton. They are thrilled with carrying on the family tradition and Ashton will join them on the lunch breaks and stops scheduled throughout the rally. Sandy’s sister, who travels to the stops and breaks on race days, will care for Ashton. “Every year is fun in its own way,” Sandy Willard said. “We go to different places and meet different people. Usually, you travel through the small towns that you don’t usually stop at when you are driving. It’s always fun and interesting.”

Courtesy photo

Sandy and Josh Willard will be joined at stops with their newest bundle of joy, Ashton, during the Sugar Valley Rally. The couple will continue the tradition of racing Sandy Willard’s parents’ vehicle, a 1939 Chevy touted to have been owned by former Eagle Randy Meisner.

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Bob Blaylock, PT

Jason Moore, DPT

• Pediatrics We’re a NEW clinic, we’re locally • Geriatrics owned and we have years of experience.accepted including All insurances • Sports rehabilitation • Orthopedics & post-surgical Patients Medicare, of all ages Medicaid are welcome. & Workers Compensation rehabilitation All insurances accepted including • Treatment of neurologic Medicare, Medicaid and & balance disorders • Treatment of musculosketetal problems (joint pain/ Workers Compensation loss of strength & mobility) • Functional capacity assessments & work hardening/ return-to-work programs

Call for an appointment today!

308-633-2025 Michelle Weimer, MS PT

Open Monday-Friday 7am-6pm • Saturday by Appointment

211 West 38TH Street, Scottsbluff, Nebraska One building west of MES building

2011 Sugar Valley Rally Couple has fond memories of car and SVR By CHABELLA GUZMAN Staff Reporter

Sugar Valley Rally is a day for car enthusiasts and friends to get together. For Virgil and Carol Baker, who have competed for 20 years, the event is a way to show of f their vintage 1930 Model A Ford coupe, see old friends and make new acquaintances. “We have been competing since the first rally,” said Virgil. “We have missed a couple, but have enjoyed being in the rally whenever we can.” Virgil and the Ford have something in common and that would be their birthdays. The Ford was manufactured September 1930 the same month and year he was born. They will both be 81 years old this year. Virgil and his son, Greg, rescued the Ford from the junkyard.

“We bought the car and I slowly restored it to its original state,” he said. He became a Ford man in 1946, when he bought a Model A Ford roadster convertible to drive to high school and college. Virgil’s father had owned a motor rebuilding shop during WWII and he learned many of his mechanic skills at the shop. There weren’t many new cars manufactured so his father was really busy and Virgil helped out. He rebuilt his first car motor at the age of 12. Their shop provided thousands of rebuilt motors for the Norfolk area. Virgil and his father could install a rebuilt motor in less than half a day. He met Carol at Wayne State College and he was then a proud owner of a Model A Ford Coupe. “We had great times with that car despite all the inconvenienc-

es,” Carol said. “One night we went bowling in another town and it was snowing like crazy.” That was the night the couple had to choose between the lights, the heater or the windshield wipers, as the car would not run with all three or event two going at once. It was also the night that a lot of students were stuck in the snow. Virgil’s car could go anywhere, so they spent the whole night pulling people out of drifts. Being good Samaritans also made them late for Carol’s curfew at the dorms. She was grounded for a week, but didn’t mind too much she said. The car finally had to be sold to get one that the couple could depend on for Virgil’s teaching career. “Carol cried, but to no avail,” he said. “It had to be sold.” When they moved to Scottsbluff they started thinking

We Wish Good Luck to All the Participants! PLATTE RIVER REALTY Bobi Beutler

Brenda Smith

Diane Pauley

631-3276 631-5840 641-5254 1422 Broadway, Scottsbluff • Phone: 220-3286 • Fax: 220-3289 • www.platteriverrealty.com

Courtesy photo

Virgil and Carol Baker show off a painting Virgil did of their 1930 Model A Ford Coupe. They have driven in the Sugar Valley Rally for several years and Virgil keeps the Ford in great condition to travel the roads of the Panhandle. about the Ford and all the good times they had in it. They began hunting for their old Ford. “We found out that it (Ford) had been in an accident and was destroyed,” Virgil said. “The people had also used the motor

for a boat. We were really disappointed to find that out.” The one they use now may not be the one with the memories, but they have created new ones that include the Sugar Valley Rally to go along with it.

2011 Sugar Valley Rally

NAPA TOOL SALE ®

Sugar Valley Rally Cars on display Friday, June 3 until 6:30PM

Great deals on NAPA® Tools! • • • •

Ron Capps’ NHRA Funny Car on display NAPA® Reps on hand Visit vendor booths & register to win prizes! Food & beverages!