Great Divide Rally 2025

A few weekends ago E and Mitch (me) participated in the Noncours Great Divide Rally, a regularity rally in the mountains northwest of Helena. 

I only drove to get us there and back. E drove from the entire 103 miles of the rally itself. 

 Actually, E drove a good chunk of the way there as well.

The evening before the rally I took a walk on the flanks of Mount Helena, at a friend's suggestion. Helena is one of Montana's most nicely situated cities, I think. E wanted to be perfectly rested for driving the next day and stayed behind at the hotel.

The next morning I got the Wordle (tm) in two, which I took to be a very good sign.

This black Audi wagon is owned and was helmed by the L family, of whom RL alerted me to the existence of the rally. Thanks, RL!

And we're off!

This was either a bit before or a bit after going over a horrifying citizen-created speedbump (not sure how that's legal, but). The road book warned of its existence and E was appropriately cautious driving over it, but Ludwig's front license plate still scraped the ground. (The Ls said their car nearly high-centered on it.)

At the end of the first stage in Birdseye we got this obligatory artsy shot of the only other air-cooled, rear-engined participating vehicle: an orange (same orange as Ludwig) 1974 (same year as Ludwig) VW Type 181, aka 'Thing'. 

It is probably only a month or two newer than Ludwig (b. 10.24.1973). At least I think it's newer. I can't tell for sure from just the VIN.

The next stage climbed over the Great Divide at Flesher Pass on MT State Secondary 279.

The southern end of the Scapegoat Wilderness came into view as we coasted down the Pacific side of Flesher Pass.

In Lincoln the stage ended and lunch was had.

This is the entire field of competitors. Except for that white Dodge truck at left, which was a support vehicle. After Ludwig, the next two vehicles were, respectively, an RHD Toyota Land Cruiser and an RHD Toyota Prado SX5. Then an early-80s Volvo wagon.

Taking on the next stage, road book in hand.

It was all gravel to the top of Stemple Pass.

As we and the Thing were the slowest participants and the most likely to break down (humpf), we were always started last to eliminate the need for passing. 

Back down into the Atlantic watershed.

And back toward Helena. (Now there's a question: Is Helena the state capital closest to the Great Divide? It's gotta be, right? <checks> It is!)

E did an excellent job, especially given that Ludwig's accelerator cable is too long which means it doesn't allow for either full travel (that is, flooring it doesn't floor it) or precise control, both of which are kind of super-necessary for this type of rally. (At least it didn't break.) Also, his speedometer is off--way off--and I had to use Waze to report to her her speed, but in the mountains the signal was spotty. Anyway, on to next year!