The front turn around of the Hotel, is now a podium. There are hundreds gathered... just like last night.

The few folks in evening gowns, departing their Range Rovers for the Casino or Hotel seem a bit confused, they contrast with the Drivers Suits and Work Clothes that are milling about. No one is rude or standoffish, just an interesting visual picture. We grab a couple of shots.

We hand off a phone, and gather almost all the gang in front of the podium. Ben and Dan are in as well, and there are lots of laughs under the lights. The air seems warmer here. Lots of lights and festivities.

The organizers have finished confirming results, and doing their calculations. They marshal the cars into groups, for the presentations. Cars are lined in a podium formation, teams adjacent, or on the hoods depending, on how good their body sponsor is.

Dinner tonight is the banquet. We are starting to feel quite peckish, and we decide that we'll stroll to the dining hall for a beverage. As we stroll through the wide halls of the Manoir, we are drawing lots of looks. Drivers suits don't seem to fit next to the lounge singers in the enclave, and the higher end Casio Patrons. No one cares, that is not what this day has been about.

In the Banquet Hall we grab tables in close proximity to friends and aquantences. Some new, some old. The atmosphere of this place is one of elegance, and yet I'm seated with Service park sand still falling from my clothing. There might be two dozen evening gowns and suits, the rest of the attire is Nomex and dirt. A gentleman pours our water, wearing white gloves, and a tux. Awesome.

_________________
"Nos Ludos Intra Vehicula"

"That is on the floor..... in fifth..... 6500????..." -Buffum to Smith (140mph+, Rallye Charlevoix.....)

"A HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE DOLLARS????"

"Great, now we're gonna get frikken' yelled at....."
"Let the record show that the evening degenerated at 2022hrs..... Duly noted..."

Cindy is buzzing about, working on MEQC results and assisting where needed with other items. We chat briefly and frequently. Mal is buying the first round for Cal and I. We are greatly appreciative and that seems to be reciprocal, the RX7 now parked out back in Parc Ferme, not on a trailer in service.


The awards of the evening that we have the greatest interest in are up. It's what most of the teams came for.

Dan Spalinger and Ben Nadeau will take 2WD 1st for the new MEQC.

Jon Conrad and Clarke Paynter will take 4WD 1st for the same.

There has to be some serious satisfaction in there: to make the trip, then to keep it on the road and running, and to secure a trophy, of some significance, has to be a nice reward.
There is a hearty round of applause for the teams, and there might have even been a hoot or a hollar, despite the poor form it would display in such an esteemed facility.

The meal is of high quality, as one would expect. The dishes are smaller courses, but they give a sample of the fare that could be expected if one was here with a more relaxing purpose. Gluttony is a deadly sin....... I'm told.......

_________________
"Nos Ludos Intra Vehicula"

"That is on the floor..... in fifth..... 6500????..." -Buffum to Smith (140mph+, Rallye Charlevoix.....)

"A HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE DOLLARS????"

"Great, now we're gonna get frikken' yelled at....."
"Let the record show that the evening degenerated at 2022hrs..... Duly noted..."

With our stomachs contented, and completely exhausted from a fantastic day of motorsport, we elect to take our leave of this fine establishment.
We shake hands and share hugs with friends we won't see soon, and offer invitations to our event in August.

We make a the leisurely stroll back to the parked Recce vehicle, and gear up for the run back to the house. Malcom will bring the RX7 here, and Jon decides to grab the full monty, and roll service vehicle and trailer. His logic is sound, he's not got everything secured with a cap or box cover.

Back at the house, I take a moment to walk around what has been our base of operations for the last 72 hours. The dinning room table where Clarke and Tim sat up late on Friday night, making sure their notes were perfect. Tim re watching video of Recce to keep pace, and Clarke using what every method has brought him so much success over the years.
The central island stove for our whistling kettle every morning, the ample sitting room with Million Dollar view of the St Lawrence.....

You really could not have done this in better form.

We'll head out early tomorrow. The plan is to roll through to home. It'll be a long day.

_________________
"Nos Ludos Intra Vehicula"

"That is on the floor..... in fifth..... 6500????..." -Buffum to Smith (140mph+, Rallye Charlevoix.....)

"A HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE DOLLARS????"

"Great, now we're gonna get frikken' yelled at....."
"Let the record show that the evening degenerated at 2022hrs..... Duly noted..."

Safe travels Buddy

_________________
Andy Hill

That was a great read Ian, well penned, eeer interwebbed.

_________________
" I was crying so hard, that when I was breaking, tears were streaming down my visor. " Jean Alesi after winning the Canadian GP on Fathers Day, on his birthday, driving a Ferrari with Gilles Villeneuve's # 27 on his car. I was there, my first GP as a marshal, 1995.

At 0700hrs we head out, east first to Clermont and the Service Park. It'll be our last visit there this trip. The registration pack offers discount coupons for "Trio's" At Mc Cafe. (Breakfast Sandwich Combo.) The Coffee I upsize, it only seems appropriate for a long run.....

Heavy on Fuel, and with the wagons in convoy we roll. The 138 proved to be the road we should have taken on Thursday, instead of raising our pulses with the 362. There are grades no question, and we'll hit 740m elevation on the run. It's quite the climb from sea level. This is not the fuel economy portion of the trip.

We return some equipment in Quebec, and get over the bridge. Somehow I've ended up on wheel duty for the crossing again, but being one who learns from mistakes, I listen this time, and our trusty Co Driver takes us over the new bridge, that actually allows for a trailer with fenders to pass on it.

Mal, Tim and Jon are meeting us an exit away as they didn't need to be hauling through Quebec City. We've kept them waiting, but it should be the last delay for our trip.

There are songs in life, that bring you to certain memories. Some are better for dancing, some are for relaxing, and with most motorsport people, there are driving songs......

As we climb into the woods of New Brunswick on a long right hand sweep I check up my right mirror.... You can see our service setup, Mal and Tim, and Jon.... All three well used, tired cars, heading home from their escapade..... Line astern.... I wish I had a camera up. It's one of those moments when conversation slows, but the tunes cut through:


"Come on out of your dreams
And wake up from your reverie
Time is here don't go to sleep
Streets are running on the brink
They say that we've got nothing
But a dollar for a life of sin
Cause there's trouble on the way
Oh there's trouble on the way
Get a dog and pony for a judgement day

Here we are
Running circles around around around around
When nothing's right just close your eyes close your eyes and you're gone

Dreams (Dreams) D-D-D-Dreams
Sheets makin' me hot, sheets makin' me hot
Dreams D-D-D-Dreams
She's making me high I wanna get me free"

(credit -Beck)


Some driving songs are better than others, and everyone has their opinions, but after the weekend we've had, I have to work to keep my foot out of the throttle with that in my head..... It just seems to work........


Edmunston brings us fuel, food and beverage. Something light, to tide us over. Everyone is holding up, but too many hours behind the wheel are never good.
We'll do one more stop in Salsbury for Coffee and a driver change. I get my chance at Jon's Diesel. She's got torque and charm, in spades. Now if I could just get my shifting down so the coffee would stay in the cup, and not on my right hand and shift lever.....

Jon is off at Stewiack, almost home, and I hop back in with James and Daph. Mal and Tim roll on, they are close now.
James and Mal will end their voyage a few hours later down the valley, and my head will finally hit the pillow at 1:59AM. I'm asleep by 2.



There is something about Motorsport and Rallying, and there is something "more" about Rallying in Quebec. Three hours behind us on the road.... is a trailer with more rally goodness on it.... heading east.


The Bluenose Autosport Club Performance Rally Series will start in June/July 2016.

........care to join us?

_________________
"Nos Ludos Intra Vehicula"

"That is on the floor..... in fifth..... 6500????..." -Buffum to Smith (140mph+, Rallye Charlevoix.....)

"A HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE DOLLARS????"

"Great, now we're gonna get frikken' yelled at....."
"Let the record show that the evening degenerated at 2022hrs..... Duly noted..."

Epic write up, Ian. Should be required reading for anyone interested in rally!

_________________
2005 Forester XT (Daily/B2Tuned), 2000 Subaru Impreza 2.5RS P4WD Class Rally Car, 2006 WRX RallyCross Car (Sponsors: Rally-Tech, Great North Performance, ISI Automotive)
Check out: Rally East, The Ledwidge Lookoff Rally

Great job Ian! I feel like I was there! Thank you!

I've tried as best I could to get everything down as I recall it. It was very much a team effort, and things like who quoted which exact words, handed which wrench, and brought coffee at what time, may have slight inaccuracies.


If anyone is interested, there is an excellent selection of Stills, Video and interviews between the BAC Facebook Page, and the Rallyeast Facebook Page. The ease of the interface there makes it the correct choice.

There is also the usually rally coverage from CARS (http://www.carsrally.ca) and a variety of media outlets in the Eastern Quebec Area.

Enjoy.

_________________
"Nos Ludos Intra Vehicula"

"That is on the floor..... in fifth..... 6500????..." -Buffum to Smith (140mph+, Rallye Charlevoix.....)

"A HUNDRED AND EIGHTY FIVE DOLLARS????"

"Great, now we're gonna get frikken' yelled at....."
"Let the record show that the evening degenerated at 2022hrs..... Duly noted..."