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Our First Event (sort of, it's actually a beginners Rally)

Batemans Bay Introductory Rally

"Bay Stages September 2006

Another Starters Report.

The Datsun 1200 Coupe (with an A12) was polished and ready to go. First rally for me and first for my niece Kristy.

First things first. Thanks so much to the organisers, we were made so welcome and nurtured through the whole experience. Special thanks also to Carl (Stewey) for the driving tips and writing “Go Slow” across my dusty dashboard, Lizzy (Miss) for giving Kristy all the tips and tricks and Zoey G, the tip on the rubber strips took all the pain away. Also words of encouragement from MattJ, El Presedente and Dave R (Robo) to name just a few, the list could go on and on.

You drive up to your first control and you realise that it is actually real this time. The nerves start to jangle and you keep trying to talk yourself down. “Drive what you see”, “must finish first stage”.

5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 , rmmm splutter splutter cough splutter. The first K was all over the place,I think I had fouled a plug while idling. Then it was all OK again.

Kristy is calling them well but we are on the call before the calls come all the way out. Start calling them earlier and all is sorted. Start to push a bit. See the triangle and then the boys with the OK, then the upside down Lancer. Stopped pushing immediately. (Condolences guys, but I reckon you provided a community service in slowing others down).

Spectator point 1. THR - Was it a Scandinavian flick, was it a hand brake turn. Nope it was a serious under steer with too much brakes and then a missed gear. The nav blurted “what are you doing!!”. It was so bad we burst out laughing. After a couple years of watching at spectator points and saying “geez that was ordinary, I could drive better than that”. I could see the irony.

Stage 2 (27km) - Brilliant fun, Kristy had it sorted and you could feel the difference. At the 20k stage we passed a car missing a wheel, then caught another car. Couldn’t get past, they probably didn’t see us and we didn’t want to get too close in the dust, so we sat behind for the rest of the stage (also wasn’t allot of places for them to pull over). Then passed Dave N in the Corrolla with 2 flat tyres (now that is bad luck). And I think the boys in the Celica. Then MrBob in the Excel picked us up at the end. Carnage.

S3. Had a blast, felt good slowly creeping up the speed.
Spectator point. Unknown to me, my wife has taken green frogs (the car has been named Kermit for obvious reasons) to the specie point and is paying people off to cheer when we come through. THR caution gutter. Tidey little flick out wide and then straight through the gutter (the one that claimed MrBobs tyre). Well, the crowd went wild. You can hear the cheers with people waving and kids jumping up and down. I give a wave and think geez these spectators are into it. I now know you were all bribed with lollies, but thanks anyway for the support and enthusiasm.

S4. Much faster, passed team mullet stopped on the side, came past Robo with the bent excel beast. Almost went into a gutter trying to see how much damage he had done. Snapped the rear bottom shock mount in the last 2k of the stage and had a floaty trip to the end.

Yeh, the report is long . But I had so much fun I couldn’t help myself.

We then headed out to do a stage 8 road closure. It was good to see how much work goes into setting up a stage and give a bit back.

Also got to meet Hev and Nav, Erin, Edwina, The Lesters, MrBob and Nav, Shaggy.

We won’t be back next year for the Meander……………
because we hope to compete in the Bay Stages 2007 ….

To anyone thinking that they might want to do this. Stop thinking. You DO. And the intro rally proved to be the most excellent way to start (read Mr Bobs post, it’s all true.)

This report was also put on Brindabella Motor Sports - Rally Forum Website