Sunday, September 19, 2004
Here we go again!
Sorry for the delay in posting but we have been going from 6am to 1am with everything. We have had a great couple of days with highs and lows and everything in between.
We are currently on a 4 hour "free" transit, meaning the start of today's stages begin 4 hours away from where we finished last night.
A brief recap.
Wednesday - This was our first day with the "poor mans posi" the welded solid rear end. The first stage was a little interesting with higher speeds and a few elevation changes. The car felt a little light but in no time we were feeling very comfortable. We beat all of the Targa times throughout the day. On the second last stage of the day we blew our rad at the finish line. We pulled over to find coolant spewing out. A quick panic call to our great support crew, Peter and Sandi, brought them to rescue. A little Stop-Leak later and we were good to go. However we lost half an hour and we had an hour to get to the final stage in Gander. With a little creative driving, (of course well within all legal driving limits) we made it back only 37 seconds late. We then went into one of the most fun sections to date in residential Gander with a ton of turns and huge crowds. We smoked the course and ended a very long day, with a long night of repairs ahead of us. We pulled in to the service parking lot and got busy. The radiator got pulled and Peter quickly soldered the affected areas. A few clamps and colourful words later, we were good to go. Tires checked, windows cleaned and ready to review course notes for tomorrow.
In the end we finished the day with the second fastest time for all competitors, not bad for a bulldozer operator and a bean counter!
Thursday - We got the in car video camera going today and got some great footage. Today's stages had some fun short runs as well as some long fast runs. Lunch was held in Leading Tickles by the community and so far was the best yet. Great beautiful location by the ocean on a sunny day.
Due to our times on the previous day we were placed with the big boys. Two competitors approached us to suggest we let them go ahead, since obviously there was a mistake and they would have to pass us. We responded politely that they were welcomed to pass us, if they could. We earned our spot and we were holding it. Another competitor came and asked us "do you really want to get passed?" Again we politely suggested that they were welcomed to try. We then proceeded to show them we belonged and show them we did. After two stages, I think we earned their respect and had a great time the balance of the day.
Now for the damage report. On the second stage we experienced a little alignment issue. We were able to finish the day, but off to the garage for an alignment job. Dinner at 9:30 and off to bed. Another good day were we beat all of the Targa times again. Each day the times are shortened and it gets tougher and tougher. We are looking forward to today's runs.
Pictures to come.
We are currently on a 4 hour "free" transit, meaning the start of today's stages begin 4 hours away from where we finished last night.
A brief recap.
Wednesday - This was our first day with the "poor mans posi" the welded solid rear end. The first stage was a little interesting with higher speeds and a few elevation changes. The car felt a little light but in no time we were feeling very comfortable. We beat all of the Targa times throughout the day. On the second last stage of the day we blew our rad at the finish line. We pulled over to find coolant spewing out. A quick panic call to our great support crew, Peter and Sandi, brought them to rescue. A little Stop-Leak later and we were good to go. However we lost half an hour and we had an hour to get to the final stage in Gander. With a little creative driving, (of course well within all legal driving limits) we made it back only 37 seconds late. We then went into one of the most fun sections to date in residential Gander with a ton of turns and huge crowds. We smoked the course and ended a very long day, with a long night of repairs ahead of us. We pulled in to the service parking lot and got busy. The radiator got pulled and Peter quickly soldered the affected areas. A few clamps and colourful words later, we were good to go. Tires checked, windows cleaned and ready to review course notes for tomorrow.
In the end we finished the day with the second fastest time for all competitors, not bad for a bulldozer operator and a bean counter!
Thursday - We got the in car video camera going today and got some great footage. Today's stages had some fun short runs as well as some long fast runs. Lunch was held in Leading Tickles by the community and so far was the best yet. Great beautiful location by the ocean on a sunny day.
Due to our times on the previous day we were placed with the big boys. Two competitors approached us to suggest we let them go ahead, since obviously there was a mistake and they would have to pass us. We responded politely that they were welcomed to pass us, if they could. We earned our spot and we were holding it. Another competitor came and asked us "do you really want to get passed?" Again we politely suggested that they were welcomed to try. We then proceeded to show them we belonged and show them we did. After two stages, I think we earned their respect and had a great time the balance of the day.
Now for the damage report. On the second stage we experienced a little alignment issue. We were able to finish the day, but off to the garage for an alignment job. Dinner at 9:30 and off to bed. Another good day were we beat all of the Targa times again. Each day the times are shortened and it gets tougher and tougher. We are looking forward to today's runs.
Pictures to come.
