Spectator guide
We’re glad you’re interested in spectating at the Overmountain Rally! The spectator guide is posted below.
It’s worth mentioning that volunteers actually get a better vantage point than spectators, free lunch, and event swag. We hope you’ll consider contributing to the event as a volunteer!
Spectator Safety
Safety is the top priority for the Overmountain Rally, whether that be the safety of competitors, volunteers, or spectators. It is important for spectators to adhere to the safety guidelines below to keep themselves safe as well as those around them.
Always keep your own safety in mind
Park in a safe place that does not block traffic flow
Vehicles parked on the rally stage may be towed
Follow Marshall’s instructions
Observe and obey all event signage
Pick up your trash and help keep our forests clean
Stay within the official spectator areas
Keep off of the rally stage
Be alert and aware of your surroundings
Cars may run wide on corners
Cars may cut corners
Cars may throw up stones/debris
Failure to follow Marshall directions may lead to pausing or cancellation of the stage and spectator dismissal
Finding your way around a rally as a spectator can be at times challenging. Using features found within the On X Offroad app, we can help you cross that navigational barrier and get you out there to see more. We have shared spectator maps below via the folder share feature within the app for an enhanced rally experience.
The app must be downloaded to your device to view the maps! Use promo code OVRMTN26 to get 20% off membership purchases.
Thursday September 17
Rally Fest & Parc expose / Cocke County Courthouse ( 35.967089, -83.185030 )
Times: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
The rally kicks off on Thursday night in downtown Newport, TN with an opportunity to come meet the drivers and see the cars up close and personal. Get autographs, take photos, and hang out with the rally crews before the racing starts on Friday.
There will be some fun for the whole family with RC cars, racing simulators, food trucks, and music!
2025 Parc Expose at Newport Speedway
Friday September 18
Friday spectating locations / TIME: 10:30 am - 10:00 pm
OnX Offroad Spectator Map: Friday, September 18th
Friday kicks off with a short Parc Expose at Newport Speedway from 10:30 am before cars leave for the first stage at 11:00. There will be one stage available for spectating on Friday, The Gulf of Tennessee. Parking is not captive, and there is an additional hike-to only spectating option from the parking area.
Follow the directions below to get to the stage. Its important to FOLLOW THE DIRECITIONS PROVIDED. We ask you to go a certain direction for a reason. There is NO PARKING on rally stages except for the specific parking areas noted below. Vehicles parked in non-designated areas may be towed and will cause rally delays or potentially cancelled stages.
Rally cars will be back at Newport Speedway at 2:15 pm for the midday service. Service area spectating is available for those that want to see the skilled service crews in action.
After the day’s spectating is done, come back to Newport Speedway for an auto gallery and community car meet inspired by all things rally and offroad. Great cars, food, vendors, racing simulators, music, and you’re invited to be part of it. If your car is a standout, the Riverside crew will pull you into the track to be part of the the rally culture auto gallery. Volunteers get in for free!
Weekend pass ticket packages will be available on Friday. Price is TBD
The Gulf of Tennessee (35.79294, -82.96839)
Times: 12:25 am - 2:30 pm/ 4:45 pm - 7:00 pm
The Gulf of Tennessee main spectator area is a really cool place to see the field come by. The cars will be navigating a tricky downhill hairpin into a short downhill straightaway. You’re guaranteed to see some mistakes, glowing brake disks, and hear antilag pops and bangs. To get here, you can either take Round Mountain Rd from Del Rio, TN side or you can come in on Max Patch Rd from I40. For this option, follow I40 from Newport towards North Carolina. Take Exit 7, turn left, and follow Cold Springs gravel road for 6 miles. Turn left onto Max Patch Rd, and you’ll arrive at the parking access on the left in another 1.5 miles.
The Gulf of Tennessee hike-to spectator area is another great location to catch the action. This location required hiking on the rally stage, so it must be done before a stage is closed for competition. Marshals will help direct you and let you know if you have time to make it to the spectator area before the course is closed.
Always listen to the safety marshal at the spectator location. Only go where the marshal allows. If you leave the safe location, you could cause delays in the rally or even for the stage to be cancelled. You don’t want to be that guy.
Saturday September 19
Saturday spectating locations / TIME: 8:30 am - 10:30 pm
OnX Offroad Spectator Map: Saturday, September 19th
There are multiple great ways to see rally action on Saturday! The day kicks off with a short Parc Expose at Newport Speedway at 8:30 am before the drivers leave for the first loop at 9:00. You must purchase a pit pass/general admission ticket to attend Parc Expose, but it will cover the super special in the evening as well. Pay attention to the time as there will be a very short amount of time to get from Parc Expose to the stages.
The parking areas at both spectating points are captive - meaning that you will not be able to come and go as you wish. If you go to either spectator location, there is a chance we will not be able to let move between loops as we can not accommodate massive movements of spectators between the stages. So fair warning! But both are great places to spectate from with multiple viewing locations.
Follow the directions below to get to the stage. Its important to FOLLOW THE DIRECITIONS PROVIDED. We ask you to go a certain direction for a reason. There is NO PARKING on rally stages except for the specific parking areas noted below. Vehicles parked in non-designated areas may be towed and will cause rally delays or potentially cancelled stages.
Rally cars will be back at Newport Speedway at 12:30 pm. Service area spectating is available for those that want to see the skilled service crews in action. Pit passes are included with the general admission ticket.
Saturday spectating ends with a service starting at 5:00 PM and the Standard Energy Super Special on the high banked Newport Speedway at 7:20 PM. Pit passes are included with the general admission of $20. Tier parking is $40/ car.
The awards and podium ceremony will immediately follow the last car finishing the super special. Stay and mingle with the drivers, get some autographs, take some photos, get some food, and have a great evening following an awesome rally!
Wasp (35.83318, -82.95092)
Times: 9:55 am - 12:15 pm/ 2:30 pm - 4:50 pm
Wasp main spectator area is a great place to spend the day. After parking and walking ~0.1 miles up Round Mountain Rd to the Round Mountain Campground, you’ll be treated to a great viewing area and campground amenities like restrooms, tables, and grills. If you’re coming here, plan to be parked on Boomer Den Rd by 9:00 am at the latest! The preferred access point is from the southeast on Max Patch Rd./ Round Mountain Rd. To get here, follow I40 towards North Carolina. Take Exit 7, turn left, and follow Cold Springs gravel road for 6 miles. Turn left on to Max Patch Rd, and you’ll arrive at the preferred access point in another 6.6 miles. (OnX can make navigating here a breeze!)
The road to this point will close at 9:00 am. If you arrive late and are directed to not proceed onto the road, you will still be able to see the cars pass by the marshal point. Just stay there until the stage is clear, and the marshal will allow you to drive to the designated parking location before the next loop.
Wasp hike-to spectator area is hike-to only, and accessed via Walnut Mountain Trail connecting Round Mountain Campground and Rattlesnake Gap or by walking to Rattlesnake Gap from the Marshal Point on Round Mountain Rd. THERE IS NO PARKING AT RATTLE SNAKE GAP. This spectator point is HIKE TO ONLY.
Always listen to the safety marshal at the spectator location. Only go where the marshal allows. If you leave the safe location, you could cause delays in the rally or even for the stage to be cancelled. You don’t want to be that guy.
Weaver Bend (35.94409, -82.93324)
Times: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm/ 4:40 pm - 8:00 pm
Weaver Bend main spectator area has the most available parking and is a much shorter drive to access than Wasp. From the viewing area on the bridge, you’ll see the cars take a fast left hander down the hill and onto tarmac. It’s a beautiful place to spend the day as well with Brush Creek rushing under your feet and the French Broad river off to the left.
The 1 mile hike from the parking area to one of the hike-to spectator areas near Allan Branch Pond will be well worth the effort. Viewing here will be exhilarating since this is the fastest section of the whole rally!
There is no spectator parking at Allan Branch Pond.
The access point is from the north off of Highway 107. From Newport, take Highway 25 until the left turn onto Highway 107. In another 4.8 miles, turn right onto Brush Creek Rd. The road at this point will close by 9:00 am. If you arrive late and are directed to not proceed onto the road, you will still be able to turn around and go to the Wasp spectator location
Always listen to the safety marshal at the spectator location. Only go where the marshal allows. If you leave the safe location, you could cause delays in the rally or even for the stage to be cancelled. You don’t want to be that guy.
The Standard Energy Newport Speedway Super Special Stage (36.017292, -83.206879)
Times: 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Saturday spectating ends with a BANG at Newport Speedway. Cars will arrive back for a service starting at 5:00 PM. Watch the talented service crews prep the National competitor’s cars for the Power Stage loop while the regionals all prepare for the super special stage. Regional teams will begin to line up behind the grandstands at 7:00 pm. Hang out with the drivers as they get ready to send it on the jumps! The Standard Energy Super Special will kick off with the Regional drivers at 7:20 pm; National competitors will start arriving back at about 7:40 pm. The day ends with the top two drivers head-to-head on Newport Speedway for the OVERALL WIN of the rally! Once the smoke clears, fans will be released back into the pits hang out with the drivers. All podiums and champagne sprays will take place in the track infield.
