By Bob Sonntag & Paul Dornburg
The 2021 edition of Paul and Carolyn Dornburg’s Ice Cream Rally was run on the back roads of eastern Daviess County, Kentucky, on July 25th. A good time was had by all. The competition was as hot as the summer day. This being THE “Ice Cream Rally” — from one Owensboro, KY Dairy Queen to another — the forecast had included the very real chance of Blizzard™ conditions. Unfortunately, the DQ stores at the start and finish locations were still “weathering” the COVID-19 storm, and the Blizzards, Dilly bars & Buster bars, and sundaes were not available at the post-route social. That’s just riDQulous!
Highlights of the 12-leg rally had to be that five of the eight teams competing had more than 100-mile commutes each way to and from the rally and CASTs at the limit. The CASTs were not at the limit of safety, just at the limit of cruise control around corners. The highlight of the pre-route gathering was the discussion of the “cement pig and bird bath” landmark in the RIs. Would that be a cement pig bath and a cement bird bath or exactly as written, a cement pig and bird bath?
Much of the route was new this year and, as always, was easily followed. The CASTs were such that those with confidence in a well-handling sports car could leave the cruise control engaged for much of the route. Those without had to work a bit more to remain on time. However, another 2 to 3 MPH in the CASTs and all the teams would really have had to work to remain on time. Such can be the fun of CASTs in the 30-36 range on roads with what seemed like as many miles in twists, bends, ups, and downs as straight and reasonably flat.
Three teams ran in the equipped class. That’s Class A in the Southern Indiana Region. Through the first eight legs, the team of Terry Davis and Bob Sonntag were tied with Harold and Karen Davis with 28 points each. When the rally concluded four legs later, Davis/Sonntag had recorded their first zero in the route, but that was not enough to offset a leg with 35 points (of 69 total points) following the mid-route break. Davis/Davis took the class win with the lowest overall score of 49 total points. That score included two zeros, two ones, and three twos! Dave and Suellyn Lehrschall made good use of time allowances and finished the day with a 115, which included an early off-course excursion and good time buying.
and Class B winners Sue and Ernie Roales. Photo by Carol Dornburg
Five teams ran Class B. That’s all other regular SCCA members. Ernie and Susan Roales continued their streak of class wins with a best-in-class 98. No zeros, but a two and a four, along with lots of other single-digit scores. Rob Minton and daughter Emily Minton finished second in class with a 184, which included a zero, a one, and a two. James Hurm and his dad, Jim Hurm, competed in their 1952 MGA and finished third, only 23 points back (207 total). The first-time team of John McCarthy and Jim Cannon missed third by 31 points (238 total). Finishing as nicest guys in the class were Larry Pearsall and Max Winter with a 339. Running uncontested in the Weekend Member Class were Paul Walker and his grandson Josh Ramsey. They finished their very first rally together with a score of 180 which included, a zero, a one, a two, a four, and a five.
The post-route social offered ice cream treats for all. Only Class winners received trophies or sprinkles for their ice cream treats.
Oh! It was a small decorative yard pig beside a bird bath.
