Just as the competitors took their places on the start line the heavens opened. One major advantage of motor racing is that even if the weather is a touch inclement, you still have a nice warm dry environment to compete in. Provided of course your car stays in tact, look up Henning Solberg (WRC Sweden 06) or Yvan Muller (Bathurst 06) for what happens when this fails to occur. Our first introduction to rally was a 55km transport to the first stage......rally cars aren't exactly the most pleasant vehicles for a sunday drive.
Unfortunately it was an eventful morning for the Shiftlock crew. The motor in the Gemini decided it had had enough of this rally caper and promptly expired on the second stage. Nick managed to have possibly the slowest accident in the history of Tasmanian motorsport. Having recovered from a spin, whilst maneuvering the car back in the right direction a wheel dropped off the side of the road dragging the car down into a ditch. Thankfully no harm was done and after being pulled out they continued. The Charade completed the morning loop without incident, however at the speed we were going it we were unlikely to have a mishap, still better safe than sorry and it still felt all very exciting.
The two remaining Shiftlock cars (the Gemini sadly going no further) were mechanically fine so service was simply a matter of making sure nothing had...or was likely to fall off. The service crew of Cam, Shaun and Bree (Anthony's girlfriend) soon had the cars ready to roll again. Stories were swapped at the lunch break of big moments and top speeds before strapping back in for the afternoon stages. The stages themselves were brilliant, the last one being the highlight with the little Charade humming along and giving Tim and I a glimpse into just how fast you can go on rally tyres, and we were only scratching the tip of the iceberg. After the many hours of car preparation and conjecture as to whether the event would proceed at all to cross the finish line was such a feeling of elation. Nick drove incredibly well to win his class (P4) in his first event, no doubt the first of many. Massive thanks must got to the Motorsports Club of Tasmania for organising such a great event.
The rally bug had certainly bitten and we all couldn't wait for the next round in the Styx Valley.
Anthony and Scooter tipping it in on the first stage. Note the amount of water!
Nick and Helen on their way to a successful debut.
Tim and I concentrating hard. Charade headlights have a disturbing habit of working loose.Photos courtesy of Bruce Bain Photography. Visit his website here.
http://brucebainphotography.com.au/
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