This Cinco de Mayo, the Santa Monica Sports Car Club will be running the rally originally scheduled for 3/3/2023, which was postponed due to weather-related road closures. But you shouldn't let puns go to waste, so pretend it's 3/3/2023, grab your favorite Musketeer, and come join us for what was supposed to be the 3rd First Friday Niter of the year.

There will be 3 legs with 3 stages per leg on this Tour rally of the Sierra Pelona Ridge. No traps this month, and plenty of three, er, free zones to enjoy some of the best driving roads the region has to offer. Just make sure you're on time outside those free zones, because the checkpoints are unmarked - kind of like the pre-app days.

On that note, this rally uses the Richta GPS Competitor app for timing and scoring, with timing in seconds. The maximum penalty this month is 60 seconds (1 minute) per checkpoint. The app is FREE and easy to use on any GPS-enabled smartphone. Go to the App Store or Google Play Store, or https://richtarally.com/. There is no need for additional timing equipment or clocks - your Official Time shows in the app!

The rally will finish at IHOP, 1225 Truman St., San Fernando, CA 91340. This is pretty close to the start, so it's a short drive back in case you and your navigator are meeting at the start location.

Please try to register online at msreg.com/FFN052023. This helps us figure out how many sets of instructions to print, trophies, etc. If that doesn’t work for you, you can still register in person at the start. We start at the Bank of America rear lot (10300 Sepulveda Blvd, Mission Hills, CA 91345). In-person registration opens at 7:00 pm, with the first car out at 8:01 pm; there is a beginner/Richta meeting at 7:40 pm.

Is your usual rally partner not available for this FFN? Let Jeanne know, and she will attempt to match you up with another single. Contact Jeanne at ean21@juno.com.