
| 2006 International Rally FAQs |
December 12, 2005 |

There is no shortage of questions, and there are no dumb questions. Use the table below to begin your search...
THE BASICS
How many people are expected to attend?
7000 people +.
When does Pre-Registration start and end?
April 1 - June 30, 2006
Can I register on-line?
Yes, the online registration is up and running!
Will you accept personal checks for admission to the Rally?
Yes.
Will there be Day Passes?
With a crowd of this size, there are NO day passes because they are too difficult for us to control. While we invite you to spend a few days at the rally you will find value in paying the admission even for one day. Even if you only stay one day you are eligible to win door prizes as you will not need to be present to win some of the grand prizes.
How much does it cost to attend the Rally?
Pre-Registration
$30 U.S Adults
$5 U.S Children
At the Gate
$35 U.S Adults
$10 U.S. Children
When does the Rally start and end?
The gates open to the public on Thursday July 20th at 8 AM and the rally ends at noon on Sunday July 23. Sunday is a clean up day, rally activities end Saturday night.
What is the earliest I can arrive at the Rally and set-up camp?
Registration for all Rally attendees opens at 8 AM on Thursday July 20th, 2006. Volunteers assisting with rally set up will be admitted prior to Wednesday, however ONLY volunteers on the pre-admission list will be allowed on-site before 8 AM Thursday morning. To volunteer to help with our rally please send a note to volunteer.06rally@bmwmoa.org. For early arrivals we have reserved Lake Carmi one of the nicest State Parks in Vermont, from Monday July 17 to Thursday July 20 at a discounted rate of $4 per person per day, with lean-to sites for $5 per person per day.
CAN I VOLUNTEER?
How do I volunteer?
If you have a specific area of interest contact the Rally Committee Chair listed in the "Where do I Volunteer" area of the webpage (the committee chair list has also been published in the BMW MOA Owners News), or if you just want to get involved send a note to volunteer.06rally@bmwmoa.org.
CAMPING INFO
What will the local weather be like?
Generally, July weather in Burlington will be variable, 75 degrees to 80 degrees in the day and about 65 degrees at night. It can be very humid.
Will campfires be allowed on the Rally site?
NO, fires are not allowed on the rally site.
Will there be picnic tables available at the Rally site?
There will be some picnic tables, but they will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Do I need to worry about leaving my gear unattended?
The Fairgrounds is completely fenced and closed to the public for the time of the rally. We will have our own Security force patrolling the area. There will be MOA security staff, private security and local law enforcement people on the grounds. Common sense should prevail.
Will there be quiet camping?
There are over 130 acres of open camping space, finding a quiet spot should not be difficult as long as you don't want to be close to the beer garden. There will be a family camping (quiet) area which will be designated with signage.
Are there RV accommodations?
RV accommodations are plentiful at the Champlain Valley Expo (Rally Site). The CVE will be handling the RV reservations directly or you can get more information from our MOA RV Committee Chairman, John Borella. Unless part of the set-up team, RV's will not be allowed on-site until Wednesday, July 19th at noon.
Will there be electricity outlets available for campers?
There is limited availability of electrical outlets in camping areas. If you require electricity it is a good idea to make prior arrangements with the rally chair. There may be a designated area for campers who need electricity to power medical devices.
If I drive my car to the rally, will I be able to camp?
Yes, but you will need to carry your gear from the vehicle parking lot to your campsite.
What will be the shower situation?
There are some shower facilities on site. We have also arranged for off site showers at St Michael's College, 2 miles west of the Rally site.
When will the Rally Site Map be available?
Check the web pages for this and other updated information in the coming weeks.
RIDING!
Will there be MSF courses at the Rally?
There will be MSF ERC courses provided by the MOA Foundation this year, watch for notices in the BMW ON and on the web page for notifications about the times and location of the courses.
Is there a helmet law in Vermont?
Vermont is a helmet law state. Riders and passengers must wear approved helmets at all times while operating a motorcycle.
What are some good roads to ride to the rally?
Watch for issues of the ON and on the website for articles dealing with this subject. Articles about riding in the VT area that have appeared in the ON will be available on the Rally web pages.
Will there be a GS ride?
Absolutely! There will be a number of GS ride choices, some self-guided and an organized A level GS ride will be offered on Saturday, July 22.
What kind of organized rides will be offered?
The Hospitality booth will have a number of suggested self-guided rides to offer. Vermont State Road Maps will also be available. As long as you stay a few miles off the Interstate it is hard to find a bad ride in Vermont. At this time no guided rides are planned; however this is subject to change.
Will there be BMW demo rides this year?
BMW Motorrad is scheduled to provide demo rides in VT in 2006.
What's the best way to assure I get a BMW demo ride?
Demo rides are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Make sure you get up early and stand in line to reserve a spot for the demo rides.
Will there be demo rides for other makes of bikes?
At this time there are no plans to offer demo rides from other manufacturers.
Where is the nearest BMW motorcycle rental facility?
We are still working with a shop on providing this.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY...
If there's an emergency...
...while I'm away at the rally, can I be notified? What happens if I have an emergency while on my way to the rally and need to contact someone there for assistance?
The emergency contact phone number for the rally had not been established yet. Watch the pages of the BMW MOA Owners News and the BMW MOA Rally website for this information as we get closer to the event. Please note that this number is for emergency use only and will be active for the rally duration only.
WHO IS WELCOME?
Do I have to be a member of the BMW MOA to attend?
The MOA International Rally is open to all BMW riders and their guests. Membership in the BMW MOA is not required for entry.
Are other makes of motorcycles welcome?
This rally is for BMW riders and their guests, when we use the word guest there is no specific brand noted, so yes other brands are welcome. All brands of motorcycles are welcome as long as they meet local noise abatement regulations. No straight pipes allowed.
Do I have to ride a motorcycle to attend?
No, this is not a necessity. Many riders find it easier to come by car, train or plane to the rally.
Can I bring a guest?
As the above statement notes - you can bring a guest and they will be made welcome.
LODGING?
How do I find a hotel room?
A list of hotels and motels offering special rates to rally attendees will be published in the February issue of the ON. The list is also on the Rally web pages and will continue to be updated. We also encourage you to use the Internet to find accommodations
FOOD!?!?
Are meals a part of the Rally fee?
Meals are NOT part of the rally fee. Besides the various food vendors on-site, there are also chain-style restaurants within walking distance of the rally site, and there will be shuttle buses serving the downtown Burlington area which features many fine restaurants.
What kind of vendors will there be at the Rally?
Most of the vendors who advertise in the BMW ON will be there, approximately 100,000 sq ft of air conditioned indoor vendor space and over 40,000 sq ft of outdoor vendors. And A LOT OF FOOD VENDORS!
What is the smoking policy at the rally site?
Vermont State law prohibits smoking in any government-owned (city, county, state) building, therefore smoking inside any of the buildings on the rally grounds is not allowed.
ALSO INSIDE THE GATES...
Are there church services available?
There will be a non-denominational Church Service on Sunday morning. Watch your rally program for time and location. There are also local churches of most denominations near the rally site.
Are pets allowed at the Rally?
Only pets traveling in an RV or service dogs will be allowed on the Rally Site. RV pets will be restricted to the RV area only. Common courtesy still applies and we have leash requirements and a "poop and scoop" policy in Burlington. Watch for the article in the BMW ON this Spring.
If I drive my car to the rally, will I be able to park?
There will be a designated parking area for four-wheeled (or more-wheeled) vehicles, however vehicles will not be allowed inside the rally grounds after the rally begins.
Are there any special events planned for Women?
There will be something special for women with respect to the seminar presentations but we would like to hear from women riders as to what they would like to be able to see at the rally.
Will there be organized activities for my kids?
Yes, there will be a children's center for kids 5-12 and a teen center for those 13 and older. Check the Rally program for times and location of these activities throughout the rally.
What is the "Friends of Bill W?"
There will be on site "Friends of Bill W" meetings as well as many local meetings you may wish to attend.
WORKING ON MY BIKE?
Can I change my oil at the Rally?
There will be a Do-it-Yourself area available - see rally map in program for location.
Will there be repair services at the Rally should I need them?
There will be servicing dealers at the rally to provide repairs and maintenance to those in need. Frank's BMW, an authorized dealer is only a few miles from the site and Max BMW Motorcycles (region's largest BMW dealer) will be at the rally to help provide repairs and maintenance to those in need. Max BMW Motorcycles will also be providing emergency pick up and delivery service throughout the region.
Can I buy new tires at the Rally?
Yes. Several tire dealers have already expressed an interest in being at the rally. There should be a nice variety of tires to select from.
Are there any BMW motorcycle dealerships in the vicinity?
Frank's BMW, an authorized dealer is only a couple of miles from the site.
NEED TO SHIP?
How do I ship my gear to the Rally?
The Granite State BMW Riders have volunteered to coordinate the shipping and receiving at the Rally. A "ship to" address and instructions will be posted on the web pages and in the BMW ON. There will be a shipping company on site to ship home your purchases and any other items you desire during the Rally, including Sunday morning.
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