Optimist Club taking registrations for return of its annual Road Rally
The 41st Annual Freedom Road Rally is back after being canceled last year due to the pandemic.
Organized by the Sanibel Captiva Optimist Club, it will kick off on July 3 at noon in the parking of Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market on Sanibel. Registration is open to 50 vehicles, with the teams given dozens of questions then set off across the islands to find as many correct answers as possible.
“Basically, it’s a scavenger hunt in your car,” club member Randy Carson said.
Carson, who coordinates the event with fellow club members John Jones and Richard McCurry, explained that the teams — each in a vehicle — will follow a designated route to find the answers.
“Nobody exits the car,” he said.
Carson noted that this year’s competition is being held in memory of Gary Rogers, who passed away last year. Rogers was a member of the Sanibel Captiva Optimist Club and helped with the event.
The entry fee is $50 and it covers the vehicle, driver, navigator and an unlimited crew.
If there are openings, on-site registration will be taken day of until 11:45 a.m.
The fee also includes one event T-shirt; additional T-shirts will be available for $15 at the event.
Each team is given a start time and must be at the starting line at least 20 minutes before noon. When the rally kicks off, the first vehicle will go. The rest of the teams follow in two-minute increments.
Early starting times will be available for advance, mailed-in and emailed registration forms. Teams can visit http://www.sancapoptimist.org/main/ or scan the registration QR code to access the form. They also are available from the Sanibel Cafe, Bailey’s General Store and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank.
“By registering early you can get the time (slot) you would like,” Carson said.
He explained that the route is about 25 miles long, and the teams are given approximately 100 to 140 questions that they have to try to find the answers to. The directions are paired with the questions.
At the finish, the teams will be ranked on the points received for the most correct answers based on sights seen along the designated route, for a finishing time closest to the committee’s calculated times and for the distance driven closest to pre-determined route distance, plus points on bonus questions.
“They’re graded on the questions answered, and there’s a couple of bonus questions,” Carson said.
Points will be deducted for going under or over the time and distance.
“This is not a race,” he said. “You will be disqualified if you get a ticket or whatever.”
Carson added that the teams should be safe and obey traffic laws and the speed limit.
“Pay special attention to speed in residential neighborhoods,” he said.
The three teams with the highest points will win prizes. First place will receive a three-day two-night stay at the ‘Tweens Waters Island Resort & Spa. Second will earn a three-day two-night stay at the West Wind Island Resort, third scores a two-hour cruise with Island Time Dolphin & Shelling Cruises, and fourth will receive a four-hour fishing charter with Whitney’s Bait and Tackle.
In addition, teams are encouraged to decorate their vehicles. One of the teams will be named the Best Decorated Vehicle, with another award going to the team that is participating farthest from home.
Carson explained that they added “Freedom” to the title of this year’s event in recognition of things returning to normal after the past year. He noted that teams can utilize the theme or do something else.
“This year it’s kind of open to the freedom thing, or whatever they feel like,” he said.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle, with tickets $5 each or five for $20.
Following the competition, an “afterglow party” will be held at The Sanibel Grill.
“They put out some hor d’oeuvres for the participants,” Carson said. “It’s kind of an after get-together.”
Proceeds raised from the event will help to fund six college scholarships that the club awards. In addition, it supports activities for island youths at the Sanibel Recreational Center and more.
“Our motto is ‘Friend Of Youth,'” he said. “All the monies go to the local youth.”
The club is accepting donations, and it offered its appreciation to those supporting the event.
“Thanks to everybody for anything and everything they did for us,” Carson said.
Residents and visitors are invited to gather up a team and take part.
“The big thing taking part in anything this year is to get out of the pandemic, to have a better Fourth of July and to pay it forward,” he said, noting that the funds raised will support the community’s youth.
For more information, visit http://www.sancapoptimist.org/ or contact Carson at 239-699-8739 or rcarsonsan@gmail.com, John Jones at 239-691-6700 or Richard McCurry at 239-292-4631.
Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market is at 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
41st Annual Freedom Road Rally
Who
Sanibel Captiva Optimist Club
When
July 3 starting at noon
Where
Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, at 703 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel
Details
Entry fee is $50 per vehicle