2013 Heart of Texas Rally update.

We are just days away from the start of the 2013 Heart of Texas Rally.  This year the Heart of Texas Rally has a theme which is also a progressive bonus.  A few 2013 Heart of Texas participants that made the ride to the “Unique” bonus were able to get a glimpse of what to expect on where the bonus list will take everyone.  I have put together a selection of bonuses that I think will be fun and challenging to find.  There are 77 bonus locations that represent the letters and numbers of the phrase:

2013 HEART OF TEXAS

Of course as I mention before this will be a progressive bonus and will be worth 500 points.  Each letter and numbers can be collected in any order and you will be able to substitute up to four letters.  But, you cannot substitute the letter “X” or any of the numbers of 2013.  Don’t worry, there are plenty of great locations that will represent “X” and 2013.  To substitute letters all you will need to do is find a town or city that has the first letter in its name that represent a letter in the “Heart of Texas” phrase and then get a computer generated receipt from that town or city. 

So be looking for your Rally packet, which will include the general rules, last minute instructions, bonus list, a gpx file, a kmz file and a est file in your inbox April 21^st.

Also expect some of my favorite non-location specific bonuses to be sent before you start the morning of April 27^th.  

As of April 4 here are the paid participants of the 2013 Heart of Texas Rally.
David Trail and a passenger to be named.
Donny and Pamela Phillps
Nick Getzendanner
David Whitford
Randy McCamey
Brain Walters
Rusty Allen
Betsy Young
Owen Quarles 
Ron Milleman
Jim Howard
Jim Orr
Bobby Kent
Rusty Baldwin 
Rex LeGalley
Stephanie May
Andrew Tatton
Karl Zuercher
Richard Swim
Cary McCamey
Steve Bracken
Also 2 Diamond, 2 Gold, 1 Leather Certificates have been earned.

Three more riders have signed in : Stephanie May, Andrew Tatton and the 2012 runner-up Rex LeGallery.

In no particular order here are the paid participants of the 2013 Heart of Texas Rally:
David Trail and a passenger to be named.
Donny and Pamela Phillps
Nick Getzendanner
David Whitford
Randy McCamey
Brain Walters
Rusty Allen
Betsy Young
Owen Quarles 
Ron Milleman
Jim Howard
Jim Orr
Bobby Kent
Rusty Baldwin
And 7 have asked to give the "Unique" bonus a try.

Unique Bonus

2013 Heart of Texas Rally “Unique” Bonus

On February 23, 2013, the “Unique” Bonus of the 2013 Heart of Texas (HOT) Rally will be available by request for paid participants.   The “Unique” Bonus is designed to give a rider an idea of the theme of this year’s HOT Rally, provide points for a progressive beginning bonus total and earn an official Heart of Texas Rally Ride Certificate.  As with past HOT Rallies, I work hard to ensure there are endless combinations of bonuses for participants to collect in order to win the Heart of Texas.  The “Unique” Bonus doesn’t necessarily give one an upper hand, but it wouldn't hurt either.  By participating in the “Unique” Bonus, a competitor will have the opportunity to partake in a few added challenges for a chance at bonus points along the way.  In the end, it all depends on the rider finding the “Unique” Bonus and collecting those additional bonus points.

Along with the “Unique” Bonus is an official Heart of Texas Rally Ride Certificate that a paid participant can earn as well, which will be presented to those who have fulfilled all the requirements in Brady, TX.  There are four levels of certificates which are as follows:

 Leather Rider, for 500 miles traveled one way in a 24 hour period to the “Unique” bonus location.

Silver Rider, for 750 miles traveled one way in a 24 hour period to the “Unique” bonus location.

Gold Rider, for 1000 miles traveled one way in a 24 hour period to the “Unique” bonus location.

Diamond Rider, for 1500 miles traveled one way in a 24 hour period to the “Unique” bonus location.

Each certificate listed above will be awarded in sequential order and numbered to represent this accomplishment.  If a rider completes any of the four levels before another rider, the certificate will state that achievement proudly as the first to do so.

“Unique” Bonus and Heart of Texas Rally Certificate Requirements.

1. You shall follow all the general rules of the Heart of Texas Rally that pertain to acquiring the “Unique” Bonus location and any level of Heart of Texas Rally Certificate.  General rules can be found here.

2. Upon request I will email the clue to the location of the “Unique” Bonus on February 23rd, 2013, thru April 14, 2013.  This information is not to be shared with anyone else.

 3. If you decide to collect the “Unique” Bonus, you must email me your route itinerary within 24 hours of your indicated departure, as well as a link to your SPOT track site if applicable.

4. If you decide to collect the “Unique” Bonus, you must ride at least 500 documented miles one way to the “Unique” Bonus location within a 24 hour period.  Documents for this ride shall include a route itinerary, a start receipt, fuel receipts and an end receipt. Please note; use of SPOT tracks can be used as an alternative to documentation. You must send OK messages from your Start, any stops and from the “Unique” Bonus location.

5. You shall be required to photograph the “Unique” Bonus with a rally flag included in the photograph.  The photograph shall be emailed or text to me within 30 minutes after obtaining the end receipt or if using SPOT, the OK message from the “Unique” Bonus location.

6. A copy of all receipts shall be sent to me by either mail or email by April 16, 2013.

 

As I prepare for the 2013 Heart of Texas Rally, I am always looking for new and unique location that has a certain particular object or with a historical importance only special to Texas.  If you know of any locations  please drop me a line.

  

Heart of Texas Rally

2013 Heart of Texas

April 27, 2013

The 2013 Heart of Texas Rally (HOT) is accepting application from motorcyclists who love to spend a day traveling the highways and byways of Texas.

To best describe the Heart of Texas Rally, it is a simple scavenger hunt for the motorcycle enthusiast.  Starting anywhere within the Lone Star State, riders will have twelve hours to route themselves to the finish at the Holiday Inn, 2320 South Bridge in Brady, TX.  The main objective of the HOT rally is for cyclist to collect bonus points along the way.  All proceeds after administrative fees are donated to CASA Child Care of Brady, TX.

The Start:

At 0600 Central Standard Time on April 27, 2013, a rider will need to obtain a computer generated receipt with the correct date, time, and location from anywhere within the state of Texas.  This is required in order to verify start time. It is very important to acquire this receipt as described and turn it in with the rally envelope at the end of the Rally. It is up to the rider to make sure all the proper information is printed as described. Showing up at the finish without this receipt or with the incorrect information printed on the receipt will cost the rider all of their points.

A rider must acquire a start receipt before collecting any bonus points.

Gathering Bonuses:

On April 24, 2013, the HOT Rally Bonus Point List will be released. The Bonus Point List will include the name, a brief description, abbreviated directions, collection requirements and a GPS coordinate for each bonus location.  Some Bonus Point collection requirements can include a necessary photograph, a receipt, or an answer to a simple question.  Bonus photographs shall be taken by a digital camera with a removable memory card.  Please ensure only the required photographs are saved on the memory card.

Once the required start receipt has been obtained, a rider can begin to collect bonus points across the state of Texas and make their way to Brady, TX.  Each rider has 12 hours to complete this task and not a second more!  When arriving at Brady, TX, it is necessary to first check in with the Rally Master and staff by 1800 hours at the host hotel, the Holiday Inn Express, 2320 South Bridge St., the rallies final destination.  All cyclists then have until 1830 hours to turn in their camera memory card, all required receipts, and other bonus requirements. If a rider arrives a second past 1830, they will be considered Did Not Finish (DNF).

New for 2013 is a unique bonus that will be available to paid participants of the HOT Rally.  This unique bonus can be collected from February 23 to April 14th.  This unique bonus can help a rider’s Heart of Texas Rally  Bonus Points end total.   

General rules:

1. As a rider in the HOT Rally you will be expected to follow all the laws of the State of Texas, its counties, and municipalities. Do not ride recklessly and endanger others or yourself by excessive speed and poor riding decisions.
2. Wear the proper protective gear such as a helmet, eye protection, boots, gloves, and long pants.
3. As a rider in the HOT Rally, you shall have a street legal and properly functioning motorcycle. As a rider, you shall have proper insurance for the motorcycle that you will be operating during the Rally and a motorcycle endorsed license.
4. No Team riding. All riders of the HOT Rally shall collect their own bonuses and receipts.
5. Two up riders shall have a designated operator and a passenger. The passenger cannot operate the motorcycle at any time during the rally.
6. All bonus photographs shall have your rally flag included in the picture and be recognizable.
7. You must arrive and check in by 1800, a second past you will be considered DNF.
8. You must have your HOT Rally envelope handed in by 1830, a second past and you will be considered DNF.
9. The decisions of the rally master are final.

Application:

2013 Heart of Texas Rally
To register please send the following information and entry fee no later than April 12, 2013 to:

James Stovall

C/O 2013 Heart of Texas Rally

13115 NE 13^th Ave.

Amarillo, Texas 79111

Your information:

Name:

Passenger name if applicable:

Make and model of the motorcycle you will be using for the Rally:

An email address that you will use for the Heart of Texas Rally updates and the bonus list:

Name of an emergency contact and phone number:

T-shirt(s):

Any additional T-shirts will be $20 per shirt:

Note: Each participant will receive an official Heart of Texas t-shirt.

Entry Fee: $45 for single rider,  $55 for two up.

Please make checks payable to James Stovall.

Please note: I have the right to cancel the 2013 Heart of Texas Rally at any time before or on April 27, 2013. If the 2013 Heart of Texas Rally is canceled before or on April 12, 2013, all entry fees will be 100% refundable. After April 12, 2013, all fees will be refunded minus administration costs.

**Please note: I will not be using PayPal for the 2013 Heart of Texas Rally.