Speeding rally cars a backroad problem

Racers put vehicles, pedestrians at risk

By Duncan Hutchison | Manor Ink

Willowemoc, NY – Heading east from Livingston Manor along Willowemoc, DeBruce and Pole Roads toward the Neversink valley, travelers can enjoy some of this area’s most scenic countryside. But what was once a sleepy country road has become an increasingly perilous thoroughfare. This is especially true on the weekends, now that the rally cars have come out to play.

Rallying (or rally racing) is a motorsport that takes place on public roads. Cars don’t compete against each other – or at least they’re not meant to. Instead, the race is designed as a point-to-point competition in which cars leave at timed intervals. While the vehicles may not actually be racing one another, they go as fast as the legal limit allows, traveling in packs of 10 to 15 vehicles at a time.

Rapidly appearing on the highway, and then just as rapidly disappearing, usually on the weekends when fine weather allows for good road conditions, these souped-up cars with their distinctive roars and tinted windows are a stark reminder to local businesses and residents who live along Willowemoc, DeBruce and Pole Roads that traffic issues are becoming a real concern, particularly in the summer months.

A ‘windy-windy’ road

People who live and work alongside the thoroughfare can’t miss them. “They fly by ... it’s crazy, not cool. I don’t know how they make the turn!” said Courtney, a Davidson’s General Store employee who has a birds-eye view of the almost 90-degree curve in the road by the flagpole in the center of DeBruce. “This is a windy-windy road!”

Michele Molier, experience manager at The DeBruce hotel suggested rally drivers use this stretch of road because of the 55 mph speed limit on Willowemoc Road. “They may have picked this area because the speed limit is so high,” she opined.

Molier, however, is just as concerned with speeding vehicles as she is by the impact a dozen or so rally cars have idling their engines and jamming-up fishermen’s parking lots while waiting for the signal to start their rally run. “People come here for the relaxing atmosphere of the fly fishing community. Because of the amount of traffic, people will be less likely to visit the area,” said Molier. When asked about pedestrian access to the road, Molier was emphatic. “Don’t walk on that road!” she exclaimed.

Diane Beveridge, owner of Antrim Streamside, a recreational facility of cabin and cottage rentals, agrees wholeheartedly. “I don’t cycle or walk on DeBruce road. It’s just not worth the risk.”

Beveridge is personally aware of the dangers of reckless drivers on this particular stretch of road. Last winter, a car in which her husband was a passenger was blindsided by a motorist who took a turn too fast and skidded into them. “There’s always a concern,” she said. “You worry that somebody’s going to get hurt or animals are going to get killed. You see dead animals on the road all the time.”

More vehicles on the road

Of course, it’s not just rally cars that have added to the traffic conditions. It’s also the number of new homes that have sprung up along the way. As long-time resident and owner of Davidson’s General Store, Bill Kocher, said, ” We’ve been here since 1945, and there were two homes on Goff Road. Now there must be a hundred.”

With each new resident comes more traffic. Slow moving four-wheel-drive vehicles, farm equipment and trucks hauling heavy loads are increasingly commonplace. While noting the increase in traffic, Kocher is somewhat more resigned to the problem than others. “Just pay attention to the road and drive defensively,” he cautioned.

That may work for car drivers, but as the popularity of the area grows, more campers, hikers and anglers are flocking to the area. While most of these people drive here, many of them choose to explore the area on foot, on bicycles, scooters and even skateboards. Even local workers commute in this fashion.

Anthony Galvez, who works at Steve’s Camp and commutes by scooter, explained his dilemma. “Yeah, it’s definitely sketchy riding on this road, in particular because it’s 55 mph and a really curvy road so it’s kinda scary going around blind corners and I have to watch out behind me to make sure cars see me.” Ironically, Galvez feels it’s safer driving at night because “I can see headlights behind me and coming around the corner”.

Everyone agrees there’s a lot more traffic on the road that’s moving faster and everyone the Ink spoke to about this issue felt the 55 mph speed limit is far too high. As for car rallies, the feeling was mixed. They might not create the problem, but they certainly add to it.

Manor Ink reporter Ethan Sprouse contributed to this story.