The small town of Knoxville Iowa has offered to host the Rally during the week of their Sprint Car Festival and Races. About the same time this offer was made, The X Prize informed me that the Michigan finals were not open to the public. So, why start in Michigan? The Knoxville start will shorten the event by one day, which might not be a bad thing, and with the town in full festival mode the atmosphere for a send off sounds terrific. Also, the central location will make it easier on those coming from the south and west. Almost all the competitors are still eager to go, and those who have works in progress now have a firm deadline: the green flag drops Sunday morning, August 15 in Knoxville. Finish atop Mt Tamalpais Friday, August 21.