Wow, it's been too long since I've been on here, I'll have to remedy that!
Wanted to update this post for the 2010 OTPR, which will be May 14-16. I'm one of the organizers this year so I'd be glad for any questions.
Friday, 5/14, will be superspecial stages at Portland International Raceway and are always a fan favorite. Get up close to the drivers and cars during Parc Expose then watch them from only 20' away as they scream down the front straight, make a u-turn and come screaming back, then slow for a 90-degree exit to the rest of the stage. Often lots of excitement at that 90-degree turn! They'll also race on some of the paved and gravel roads throughout the park and one stage makes use of the motocross track as well. It's definitely a blast!
Saturday, 5/15 finds us starting about ~80 miles east of Portland, just outside Hood River. One of the stages (called Fir Mountain) has some fabulous spectating on a hillside overlooking a high-speed, 60-degee turn. In the afternoon we'll be ~15 miles farther east, racing the roads outside of Dufur, OR. These tend to be very high-speed as they're rural farm roads, rather than mountainous logging roads, and the competitors and spectators love that! We'll have a main spectator area right off Highway 197 just north of Dufur that provides great views for all visitors. The rallyists will be coming off a very fast downhill and you'll be able to see the last half-mile of that. At the bottom they need to slow enough for a 90-degree right and then hard acceleration out of the corner. Should be lots of dirt & dust flying, with great photography from pretty much any viewing spot!
Sunday, 5/16 is again in the Dufur area with the same main spectator area, plus a smaller one another 15 miles from town. At this latter one, the cars will be going from gravel to pavement mid-corner, which could present some interesting twists and turns. And, again, great photography from pretty much every spectating spot.
I'll post more as our materials get prepared. And feel free to ask any questions.
-Mike