Action from the 2022 Michigan HPV Rally
The 38th annual Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Rally will be Saturday and Sunday, June 17-18, 2023, at the Waterford Hills sports car racing track in Clarkston in southeastern Michigan, the location since 1986.
The oldest such event in North America is open to riders of all human powered vehicles – recumbents, streamliners, regular bicycles, tandems and handcycles. There are classes for streamlined, unstreamlined cycles, tandems, women, youth and tricycles.
The rally is conducted using Human Powered Race America rules (go to www.recumbents.com, then under “recumbent racing,” click on “Human Powered Race America,” then on “racing rules.” Note: HPRA rules require all vehicles to have a mirroror or mirrors enabling rear vision to both sides.
The track, on the grounds of the Oakland County Sportsmen’s Club, is 1.4 miles around, with nine turns and one hill. Sunday races use a shorter course without the hill.
Entry fees:$30 for one day, $45 for two days. College and high school teams, $40 for first vehicle and rider; $10 for each additional vehicle or rider.
Pre-registering will save time when you arrive, but paying entry fees still made when checking in. Cash payment preferred, but checks will be accepted.
Any entry fee money left after payment by organizers of track rental fee, insurance and expenses will be awarded as prize money to top finishers in each class.
Spectators admitted free. Even if you don’t want to compete, come and see some unusual and very fast cycles. Free camping available at track Friday and Saturday nights, with indoor showers.
Tentative schedule:
SATURDAY, June 17:
8 a.m. – Registration and technical inspection starts.
9:30 – One-hour time trial (streamliner, streetliner, tricycle classes).
11 – One-hour time trial (stock, junior, women, tandem classes).
Noon – lunch (concession stand open 11:30-1).
12:15 p.m. – Hot laps on short loop, all classes, ride as many laps as
you want; your fastest lap counts, electronic timing.
you want; your fastest lap counts, electronic timing.
1:30-2:30 – Hill climb/coast down. Race up the hill from a standing start,
then when you get to the top, start coasting. Coast as far as you can go,
then mark your stopping point with chalk (provided). Separate scores/points
for time up the hill and distance coasted.
then when you get to the top, start coasting. Coast as far as you can go,
then mark your stopping point with chalk (provided). Separate scores/points
for time up the hill and distance coasted.
After 2:30 – Tricycle race (no hill) and urban transportation contest.
Evening– (new @ June 14): trackside barbecue by Mark B., starting 5-6 p.m. – hamburgers hot dogs, pulled port crock pot, pasta salad bowl, watermelon slices, soft drinks, distilled water. Plates, napkins, utensils provided. $10 (additional donations accepted).
SUNDAY
8:30-9:30 a.m. – Flying start 200-foot sprints (all classes).
10 – Short course (no hill) road race (faired classes), about 12 miles.
11 – Short course (no hill) road race (unfaired classes), about 9 miles.
Concession stand open 11:30-12:30.
Awards ceremony after last race, expected by 12:30 p.m.
NOTE: There was some discussion about having the concession stand open for breakfast, but that won't happen. It will be open for lunch both days.
Questions or suggestions: Contact Mike Eliasohn (mikethebike2325@comcast.net,
269-281-0797) or Mike Mowett (mowett@aol.com, 586-863-3902)
269-281-0797) or Mike Mowett (mowett@aol.com, 586-863-3902)
TO GET TO THE RALLY: From I-75, get off at exit 91. Take M-15 south
to Dixie Hwy. (US-24). Turn left, continuing south about 1 mile and turn
left onto Waterford Road, then proceed to track. If coming from the west,
take U.S. 23 north (or south) to M-59 (Highland Road). Go east on M-59
to Airport Road, then left (north) to US-24. Turn left, then immediately right
onto Waterford Road. Go about a half-mile to track.
left onto Waterford Road, then proceed to track. If coming from the west,
take U.S. 23 north (or south) to M-59 (Highland Road). Go east on M-59
to Airport Road, then left (north) to US-24. Turn left, then immediately right
onto Waterford Road. Go about a half-mile to track.
PLACES TO STAY:
CAMPING
Free camping available overnight Friday and Saturday at the Waterford Hills track, starting at 6 p.m. Friday. Restrooms, showers available and possibly electrical hookups.
STATE CAMPGROUNDS (www.michigan.gov/dnr)
Highland Recreation Area, 5200 E. Highland Road (M-59), White Lake, 248-889-3750. Two miles east of Highland. Holly Recreation Area, 8100 Grange Hall Road, Holly, 248-634-8811. Five miles east of Holly.
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, 7800 Gale Road, Waterford, 248-666-1020. Closest to Waterford Hills track, about 4 miles west. (Due to upgrades being made, modern campground will be closed until at least July 9, but other camping available.)
OAKLAND COUNTY: Groveland Oaks County Park, 14555 Dixie Hwy., Holly, northeast of Holly, 248-634-9811.
MOTELS
Clarkston - Clarkston Motor Inn, 6853 Dixie Hwy. (US-10), 248-625-1522, 12 rooms, 2 miles northeast.
Clarkston - Olde Mill Inn of Clarkston, 5835 Dixie Hwy., 248-623-0300. Across Dixie Highway from Waterford Road leading to track. This is the closest motel to the track.
Hartland - Best Western of Hartland, 10087 M-59 at US-23, 810-632-7177, 61 rooms. About 18 miles west.
Waterford – American Inn, 7076 Highland Road (M-59), 248-666-8555, 111 rooms. About 3 miles southwest.
Waterford – Holiday Inn Express, 4350 Pontiac Lake Road, 248-674-3434, 83 rooms. About 7 miles southwest.
Whitmore Lake – Days Inn, 9897 Main St. (off US-23, exit 53), 734-550-0105, 61 rooms. About 33 miles southwest.
Note: The Michigan Human Powered Vehicle Association was formed in July 1984 and officially came to an end Sept. 30, 2016, due to a lack of active members willing to continue to run the organization. However, the Michigan HPV Rally continues.
This blog, website (www.mhpva.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mhpva) continue.
Historical note (subject to Mike E's memory): The first three rallies were held elsewhere before coming to Waterford Hills in 1986. Then in 1989, the Michigan HPV Association conducted the International Human Powered Speed Championships, with most events at Michigan International Speedway, and in 2009, the Michigan Human Powered Speed Challenge was held at the Ford Motor Co. proving grounds near Romeo. COVID canceled the scheduled 2020 rally. Add it all together and this year's rally will be our 40th annual event.
