Rally of Abandoned Ontario - Feb. 4-5, 2017

Steve Rock

The Rally of Abandoned Ontario is a brand new winter event designed to get people out and about exploring at their own pace, but with a competitive element thrown in.

  • Rally Objective: To have fun while discovering and photographing abandoned Ontario, with the team that visits the most locations taking home a prize for their efforts
  • Registration: Saturday, February 4, 9 am-10 am at the Husky Truck Stop, 3479 County Rd 88, Bradford
  • Entry Fee: TBA
  • Open to: All vehicles
  • What you'll need: Southern Ontario Back Road map book, camera, winter driving skills, snacks, supplies and a sense of fun
  • Where you'll be driving: The rally will take place to the north of the GTA in an area roughly bordered by highway 9 to the south, the Niagara escarpment to the west, Lake Simcoe to the east and the Canadian shield to the north
  • What you'll be looking for: Up to 100 Abandoned Ontario locations in total, comprising around 50 ghost towns and within the main rally area itself, approximately 50 more locations to include vehicles, farm houses, commercial buildings, ghost towns and a couple of oddities.
  • What this isn't: This is NOT a wheeling event nor is it a guided trip

Day 1: At registration, drivers and navigators will receive 'rally notes', then using the southern Ontario back road map book and/or your GPS, you'll have time to plan the first leg of your route before departing the Husky at 11am latest (subject to change).

Day 2: Today's route is again entirely up to you and will of course depend on how much you enjoyed yesterday. If you photographed lots of the local and low-point value locations on day 1, then maybe today you can head out to one of the ghost town locations further afield that are worth considerably more points.

Photo competition: You'll have until midnight Sunday 5th February to post your abandoned location pictures which will all have a predetermined point value. The person with the highest number of points will be declared the winner by Noon on Sunday 12th and arrangements for prize delivery will be made.

SAFETY: Despite appearances, abandoned buildings are usually still owned, and by people who will not hesitate to prosecute trespassers! They are also dangerous, and as we don't want to lose anyone, please do not venture closer than is necessary to take competition photographs. Snaps from the road will be fine.

Winter driving can be hazardous, and as you will most likely be competing alone and driving quiet back roads, you should turn up for the event prepared accordingly.

Support vehicles from CORE Outfitters will be out and about should you accidentally slide into a back road ditch or require assistance in any way.

WEATHER: This is a winter driving event held in Ontario's snow belt so it will go ahead whatever the weather, unless Environment Canada predict EXTREME WEATHER CONDITIONS such as white-outs or an ice storm for the rally area in which case it will be postponed until the following weekend, 11th and 12th February 2017.  

EVENT SPONSORS:

  • CORE Outfitters - Support vehicle services
  • Back Road Map Books - TBA
  • 4WDrive, Canada's premier off-road, sport truck and SUV magazine - 1 Year Subscription (4WDrive will also be covering the event.)
  • Ron Brown & Firefly Books Ltd. - Copy of Ontario's Ghost Town Heritage
  • Just Jeeps - Swag packs, notepads
  • Deadbolt Decals
  • Husky Truck Stop, Bradford

If you, or your company, is interested in offering support to this event, please contact me directly.

DISCLAIMER: Please remember, that although this is a competitive event it is not a race, and we want everyone to have fun and return home safely. The organizers and event sponsors do not accept any liability for injuries or accidents that may occur from participating in the Rally of Abandoned Ontario.

Check back often to our facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/events/205350136584269/