Team Managers,
I drove the entire course today for the last time before the Relay unless unusual weather prompts the need to revisit a section. The pre-start and start areas in Pine Hills are in pretty good shape but there are still a lot of trees down in the pre-start area. The porta-potties in this location will be squeezed together more than usual so be careful entering and exiting.
The road up to the start line and down to exchange #2 has significant washboards in places so you will need to drive slow. If you follow the directions of the Race Officials at the pre-start area you will leave in plenty of time to catch your start time without having to speed. There are a few low hanging limbs that you need to watch for in certain places. Hopefully the US Forest Service (USFS) fire crews will have them trimmed up before Saturday.
With the rain Southern Illinois received today and more forecast for Saturday the shoulders of the road all along the race course will be very soft. It is important that drivers keep this mind and do not get to far off the road and get stuck. It will take a LONG time for a tow truck to get to you in most places on the race course because of traffice and distance to the next town.
Make sure you follow the directions of the Race Officials at each exchange. Most of the exchanges have their own traffic quirks and the Race Officials directions will help you get in and out the quickest. At times some of the directions of the Race Officials may seem strange but there is normally a good reason they are telling you to do something. Any team that disobeys Race Officials directions will be disqualified and prohibited from future Relays.
There is very little else to report along the race course, thankfully. However, once you get into downtown Golconda you will notice that the city is in the middle of a major water line replacement project. The work does not affect the main street race course but will affect the availability of parking on many side streets. Teams may have to park farther away from the finish than in years past. A large, paved parking lot is available at the Marina on the north side of town with a pedestian bridge connecting to downtown. Teams may want to consider this even though the walk is further (Plus a good chance to stretch those tired legs).
There is a slight chance that the race might have to start at exchange #2 on State Forest Rd. I was informed today by USFS staff that if the budget situation in Washington, DC falls apart this week they have been instructed to close all USFS Property. The start of the Relay and all of the first leg are on USFS property. I think the likelihood of this is small based on what I see on the news each day but it apparently is still a possibility. I will make the final announcement of the starting location at the Manager's meeting on Friday at 7pm.
Please share this email and others I send out this week with your teammates so everybody knows what is going on.
That's all for now. I hope everybody is ready for some fun!
Brad Dillard
Race Director
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