Raindrop Rally 2026
Raindrop Rally is a leisurely paced Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) rally traveling along paved roads through Skagit, Whatcom and Snohomish Counties. The course is generally along rural paved roads. There are some urban areas and one dirt parking lot, which will add to the challenge. The course can be driven using any car.
Entrants receive instructions with specific, clear directions with speeds at, or below, legal limits. Each car will start each section at one minute intervals. Raindrop Rally is a “closed control” format where cars do not stop at checkpoints.
This is a pure touring rally with no tricks or traps. Penalty will be applied when passing a checkpoint early or late. Pass each checkpoint at the correct second will result in a “0” score; the car with the least amount of penalty points will win.
Date: May 3, 2026
Start Time: drivers meeting 9:00 am, first car out 9:30 am. See location below.
Rallymaster: Bill Walsh
Registrar: Eric Horst Contact Eric for questions about your registration or to make any changes after you register.
Classes:
- Novice: neither competitor previously entered more than five (5) TSD rallies.
- SOP (Seat of Pants): pencil and paper only.
- Equipped: any distance measuring devices and any calculating devices, provided they DO NOT directly interface. No other restrictions.
- Unlimited: no restrictions, or limitations.
Modifying the General Instructions, there will be no Vintage class. Trophies will be awarded for the winning driver/navigator of each class and for the overall winner.
Scoring: Checkpoints are via Richta GPS. Be sure to have the app loaded onto your device. For basic rally information including Richta info, click the following link: Rally Reference Material
General Instructions: Raindrop will use the Rainier Auto Sports Club Touring General Instructions (PDF format) available in Rally Reference.
Entry Fee: $60 per car pre-paid entry. Extra route book $15.
Registration: 
Entry List: See Raindrop 2026 Entry List
Start Location:
Check-in opens at 8:40AM, drivers meeting at 9:00AM, first car out at 9:31AM.
TShawn O'Donnell's at the Farmhouse
13724 Laconner Whitney Road, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
https://www.shawnodonnells.com/skagit (opens at 7am)
Look for us in the South-East corner of the parking lot (48.446600, -122.472122)
Also recommended: Beacons Espresso and Roastery and/or the Shell Station across the street.
EV Notes:
There is no charging available at the start location, please be ready for the first half of the day, approximately 75-80 miles. The mid-day transit will have several charging locations along the route and approximately 40 mins extra time. A 2020 Chevy Bolt used for scouting the route was achieving 3.8-4.0 M/Kwh.
Length and Stops:
We will be traveling approximately 140 miles through the farms of Skagit Valley, the foothills around Lake Whatcom/Lake Cavanaugh and then to Mt. Vernon. There will be extra time added during transit legs to allow for a convenience stop. Mid-day there will be a longer break for lunch in an area with all the modern conveniences of a major road junction.
Measurement:
The course was measured with a FWD car, sensors on the rear wheels, using a Timewise 789A. The course was measured in thousands of a mile, rounded and entered into the instructions in tenths of a mile.
Finish Location:
First car at finish approximately 4:00 PM
Skagit River Brewery
404 S 3rd St, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
www.skagitbrew.com
We will finish the scoring and present trophies in the “upstairs” portion of the building, the staircase immediately to your left when you walk into the building.
Whats Next?
- NWRC Friday Nighters, monthly from April to October (except August), see the NWRC 2026 Events page for more details