What the heck is this event?
A 3-day rally event that shows off both your car and your mad driving/navigating skills while having a great time with the people you compete against.
What are the rules for the competition?
If you finally are getting the rules to MidCoast, then forget them. This is different. Your team will get an exact starting time for Friday morning, Saturday morning and Sunday morning. We will also give you the route list that you should follow. We will also tell you the EXACT time you should reach the checkpoint at the end of the day. Sound easy? The teams will finish within fractions of seconds of each other. And this competition allows you to create as much fun as possible in the towns and countrysides you drive through each day. If you want to know more about the timing system, then look no further than the century-old Italian event named Mille Miglia.
How do I enter?
Go to www.roadrallycharities.com and sign up on the website. We have to let hotels and caterers know counts, so the deadline is March 15 2009. Payment is due at registration.
Do I need any special stuff?
This is not a race. So you don’t need a roll cage. Or a fire suit. Or a helmet. But you may want to pack in some whip cream or silly string to torment the team that passes you between Zwingle and Key West.
Is this event safe?
Again. Not a race. There won’t be any sane reason why a driver needs to show his buddies he can do 120 mph on a country road while a John Deere is coming at him. However, you are driving with other cars around you—into oncoming traffic just as you do in a normal day. It’s amazing we pass oncoming cars at 65mph within a couple of feet on a regular basis… remember that, and remember safety first. We’ll be driving on some scenic curvy roads. This is why you have to be 18 to be a driver in this event. And this is why you would practice all safe and defensive driving measures while on the road. Kapeesh?
Are the hotels really that nice?
Would the MidCoast group have it any other way? Come on! We finally get the opportunity to bring you a multi-day event—you better believe we’re going to live it up in some plush hotels. But there are some things we just don’t want to give away—so as usual, we’re asking you just trust us. All I can say is that something is being said about downtown Minneapolis and a former Playboy Club.
Why would I want to drive for three days around the Midwest?
Laughs. Competition. Smiles. Adventure. Attention. Just to tell your buddy you were a part of Hemingway’s first year!
Are there prizes?
Oh absolutely. Each day will have a winner—the Discover Awards (Friday’s winning team), the Pulitzer Prize (Saturday’s winning team), and the Nobel Prize for Literature (Sunday’s winning team). YES! 2009 could be your year—your year to win a Nobel, Pulitzer or Discover! And of course, each team will be striving to be the FIRST winner of the coveted Hemingway Run Grand Champion award. Could you want more?
Am I going to be forced to speed in order to be competitive?
Nope. You know when you start. You know when you need to be at the end. And you will have MORE than enough time to get to the end. What you do throughout the day will be up to you—and we don’t want to know. Just take pictures. But don’t send them over the internet or to my email account—I don’t want to get fired.
What’s it cost?
$1,000. Flat. We thought about going with $999 or $995—you know, to make it look LESS than $1,000. But that didn’t seem as fun as putting on an event that would cost you 4 figures. So we’re sticking with $1,000. And it’s due upon registration—you’re not a participant until you’re paid— and there are limited amounts of hotel rooms at each of our boutique hotels. Checks to Road Rally Charities.
What am I getting for my buck… or one thousand of them?
Well—I’m sure we’re giving you $1,000 worth of fun and memories…. however, if you need more to help make up your mind—your entry fee covers your car’s registration of two people, dinner Friday night for two, dinner Saturday night for two, a team Welcome Bag (you will definitely not want to lose your team Welcome Bag—it’s not your typical car show bag), hotel Friday night, hotel Saturday night, and many more surprises.
What if I have no idea what I’m doing?
Good. Makes for GREAT fun. We don’t either.
What if I have to cancel?
We’ll need all cancellations 3 weeks before the event. Otherwise we’re stuck with the hotel rooms and the commitments for food. So put this on your calendar. There is NOTHING in the Midwest going on this weekend of June that can top Hemingway.
Am I going to have fun?
If you’re still contemplating, this may not be the event for you—we still love you anyway and want to see you on our MudCoast Run, Run for the Roses or MidCoast Rally and at our Cruise Ins. See you this summer!
Can I bring my minor child?
Yes. But they cannot drive. Let us know if you have any special requests (we’d recommend your minor not be in a baby seat.)
What if I need more than one hotel room for my team?
This sounds like fun to me—cars with 8 or 9 people are encouraged… Each additional hotel room will be $200 for Friday night and $200 for Saturday night.
Where do we start and when?
Well… aren’t WE getting ahead of ourselves? You’ll get everything you need to know in your entry packet which will be sent out the first week of June. But generally plan on getting the show on the road around lunch time Friday in Des Moines.
Are you guys making a profit on this event?
We hope so. At least a little. We anticipate that about $100 of each entry for this event is profit for the organization. But with any first year event—we’ll probably end up blowing it on things to make the event even more wonderful for you—so you come back next year and invite your friends.
Regardless, there is no individual that makes money on any Road Rally Charities event. We are incorporated with the state of Iowa. We have no employees, and none of our leadership can have a paid contract with Road Rally Charities. Simply put, the leaders are not making money. We’re making memories. And laughs. And fun. And we’re getting to know some really cool people. We hold our checking accounts at West Bank in Des Moines.
Oh, and by the way—Road Rally Charities exists to create a better Iowa by creating, organizing and producing exciting and competitive driving events. And because the leadership is very philanthropic, we like to even name charities to give a portion of the profits. In 2009, they are the Isisserettes, The Heart Connection Charities (chilcren’s cancer) and The Subjective Theater Company.
We have a super-talented production and organization team—and as we grow our coffers, we grow our events.
So long answer to short question—if we do make a profit—it’s the organization that’s making a profit—and that profit will simply create bigger and better events for you to attend, pay money, allow us to make a bit of a profit on it, so we can create bigger and better events… you get the idea.
Is there any other stuff I have to worry about?
You should be prepared to pay for your gas (driving Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois) and pay for your breakfasts and lunches. You might invest in a good AAA membership too—they tow up to 100 miles.
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