ATLANTIC REGION MOTOR SPORTS
The governing body of amateur motor sport within Atlantic Canada
ARMS Homepage
It is currently Thu May 02, 2024 11:01 pm

All times are UTC - 4 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 50 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2
Author Message
PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 9:39 am 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
We return the 1.5 KM to Service.

It's a hive of activity, with teams making sure they've got things ready to roll when their teams head back from their first loop of stages.

We make sure we've got everything laid out for when we need it. We don't leave too much of the rare and expensive stuff out, but generally speaking a rally service park is a good safe place. We're lucky enough to be pitted next to our friends from Platto Motorsport, who are crewing for Greenhouse. Someone to watch over us.

As I paw through one of the parts cabinets, I see that spare VW rear wheel bearings are present. Suddenly it dawns on me that the converted MKIV hubs on the rallycar, are the same as our now suspect service vehicle. We have parts tools and talent onboard.....

This relaxes my mind on one issue......

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 11:03 am 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
With things set back at service, we all stuff ourselves in the Recce car.

We have a map, and "think" we know where we are going. Up Chemin St-Edgar, and across the covered bridge. We backtrack along the Petit Caspicadia. I feel were in the right spot, but rounding a bend we see a vehicle blocking the road, and lots of yellow tape. Our instincts are correct!

We turn the car to be able to make a quick getaway, and start our walk into the stage end. We look like we know what we are doing, and really, we should. We have water, raingear and bugspray. What else could a person need.

We find ourselves a safe hole, with a radio post, timing beam, and a few other spectators. It's a road junction, and not a bad viewing point.

Some light chit chat follows, until the arrival of Double 0. We are close now. With baited breath we wait for "That Sound" the sound of Rallycars through the trees.

Car 0 approaches, it's sound is proper Subaru Rallycar, with the addition of a light and siren. It's close to pace, and the final warning that the next car you see will not be out for a Sunday frolic.......

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:44 pm 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
Antoine L'Estage and Alain Ockwell have not had a stellar start to the season.

They will be looking for a good result here at Baie, but with strong competition, they will have to push.

The audio track of the Subaru approaching through the woods is wonderous. The Subaru is planted and solid in it's grip as it tucks in for the flying finish is good to say the least. We've got a good spot, with a downhill R4+, the Petit Caspicadia babbling away in the background, through the trees.

The field makes their debut for stage end one by one. We await the arrival of our car, #35 on the list.
We've been joined by people through the unused portion of our intersection. It's always entertaining how rally fans can appear to a good spectating point, through otherwise seemingly impervious brush.

With live timing on the Smart Phone, and the gaps in the field, we can tell some have already had issues. Rallying is not easy sometimes. One has to resist the urge to push out of the gate, but it's very very hard to do, especially with such enthusiastic fans about.

Finally with water being consumed, and enough Deet to turn Gaspe into the Panama Canal Zone, we catch a glimpse of the lovely fresh orange paint on the VW. Nice and steady through the finish. We do our best to draw attention to us, including my best "Inflatable Wavy Arm Guy" impression. It will be noticed on the incar video.

It's the small things in life......

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 2:52 pm 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
Mal Swann and Tim Dine have come through with their respective teams.

We're not wrenching for them this weekend, but as Nova Scotians, we are all very interested in how their weekend progresses.

With car 99 and Sweep out of the stage, we are safe to depart. We want to get back and get some things laid out for the upcoming service.

How things looked for our folks at the end of SS1:

Pos:16
Car: 27
Driver: Rainville
CoDriver: Dine
4wO
Time: 3:19.3

Pos: 11
Car: 12
Driver: Panjabi
CoDriver: Swann
Class: 4wO
Time: 3:13.8

Pos: 33
Car: 35
Driver Whitman
CoDriver: Sleigh
Class: 2wP
Time: 3:54.9

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Jul 27, 2017 3:31 pm 
Offline
3rd Gear
3rd Gear
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 09, 2003 1:15 pm
Posts: 432
Ian Pearce wrote:
Car 0 approaches, it's sound is proper Subaru Rallycar, with the addition of a light and siren. It's close to pace, and the final warning that the next car you see will not be out for a Sunday frolic.......


That car was driven by Cedric, one of the Perce Neige organizers who had just driven that car a few weeks before in one of the regional events.

_________________
My car doesn't leak oil, it marks it's territory.


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 8:58 am 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
Jon, Cindy, Max, and Felix have tried to see where we are, and co-ordinate a meet up time. Sadly, it will be a game we will play for the day.

Between schetchy Cell Service, movement of two different teams, and differing objectives, we'll miss each other steady. We've got service stuff, and they have Stage Control agenda's.... We'll cross paths a few times in the Service Park.

Back to service it is. The next time we see our team, we'll have work to do....

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Fri Jul 28, 2017 3:29 pm 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
Back in service, and waiting with anticipation, it happens:

"we had to change a tire between stages. We need to swap to the spare wheels, their pressures are high. We'll also need fuel, and we're hungry."

Game time.

Chris Greenhouses support is overheard on the phone, "the whole corner? your are going to finish the stage then, can you make it back?"
He has suffered a collapsed shock of some sort, and is trying to limp it home for service. It would be discovered later that the left rear of his car, tore the ears off the suspension upright.
Rallying is tough on gear.

We lay out the other three rally wheels with rubber and adjust their pressures. The fourth, is now on the car. Switching to all four the same size and tire type is just good for balance.

Fuel is already placed in the refueling zone, so we are good for that.

Cars are gathering along the fence line, awaiting their time in for service. There are penalties, so cars wait for their minute before entering the time control.

They roll into our service bay, and it's obvious by eye that something is amiss on the rear. The left rear which has lost the tire, is displaying a disturbing amount of camber.
We jack up the car for pin stands, and get our head in the rear hub. The impact of something, has manage to rotate the axle stub enough that the inside of the tire contacted the spring perch. This tore the inside sidewall out of an otherwise lovely Yokahama Gravel tire. It is clear that a replacement is suffer the same fate, in short order if we do not do something.

James tosses a spacer plate out of the truck. It will give us the clearance we need, but it also wont' fit, due to the welded dustcaps on the rear end. Modification will be required.
The Generator springs to life and we attack the place with an angle grinder to gain the clearance we need. A gentleman hovers over my right shoulder, and asks something in French. I'm not in the frame of mind for this, and cannot decipher what he is suggesting. I incorrectly assume he's offering advice, the sort of advice well meaning people offer just when you don't want to hear advice, that clearly won't work. This neighbouring team member, may have been here before however. A 110v Die Grinder with Rotary Burr is dropped into our workspace. It's the perfect tool for the job, far better than a 4.5inch we've been working with.

Our hub hand fitted, we get a tire back on.

Sonia has been making sure our team is fed, watered and cared for. She's also got the glass done, and Gord has been back and forth between fluids, moving wheels, and solving whatever else needed to be done, including intercom batteries. It really is a team sport.

Whether it looks good or not, we are done. We are out of time and they are due out. Gord and I sprint to the refueling, and get set for their top up. We suddenly are in the presence of officials, making sure we are playing by the numbers. No issues, but our CoDriver is a bit worked up over the time the stock fuel cans take. It's reasonable concern. We vote for Race Jugs in the future.

Time is up, and they are fueled to where they want to be. It's a short loop, but we may have much more work to do at the next service, depending on how that Left Rear holds up......

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 12:30 pm 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
With the short loop done, we now have a full hour to work during Parc Expose.

We look at the increasing camber in the left rear, the proximity to the shock body, and the possible outcomes of a long list of stages. Kevin has some VW wrench time, and discussions are held on whether we will create more problems than we solve. You'd normally do this with a hoist, in a garage, with music.....

It is decided to pull the stub, and try it. What do we have to loose? We gather washers and shim stock to act as shim material when we get things apart. Gord, Kevin and Myself attack the rear left, and pull things apart. Sonia and James gather washers and other goodies from the service lockers.

It's always good to keep finely machined parts in a clean environment, to ensure they are free of contamination when reassembly occurs. I dump the now separated and exposed outer race and hub on the dirt layden tarp. We have no time for niceties. With 30 fingers try and position the stub and washers, while maintaining it's location. We do get the bolts to start, but it's not on our first attempt.

Satisfied with our rough job, we get the hub back on, (wiped free of dirt of course) brakes attached, and make sure things are tight.

Back on the ground it looks like we have gotten very lucky. It looks aligned, the toe is better, and the neg camber is far reduced. Success is a good feeling.

We clear our pile of tools away from the car, and get Driver and CoDriver back on board. We've had a few minutes to dose up on food and fluid, but we are not overflowing with time.

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:18 am 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
Greenhouse has been in again. He's not having the event he wished to.

He has arrived on 3 wheels effectively, and his left rear, is completely collapsed.
With the car jacked up and rear wheel off, it can be seen that the shock collar ears have completely separated from the tube.

Platto makes quick work, replacing the left rear, and it's associated damaged parts.

Seems there is something in the woods of the Gaspe that is hungry for left rears......



We calculate we are good on fuel, and they saddle up for the next departure. They'll need lights next time around, but we are good for now. We're pretty excited on how this has gone, with everything in good order, and some degree of alignment.

Off to meet the spectators in the stages they go. We had debated trying to make SS6. It's just over the covered bridge, and the uphill start is an amazing place to watch the cars launch into the evening. We just don't think we'd have enough time to get there and back, so we opt to remain.

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 2:15 pm 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
"We've Rolled. Were Ok. We are heading back to service...... "

These are never messages one wants to hear from your team. At first the back of my mind said that we need to find out what is bent, so we can be ready when they get back. That quickly turned to a non issue, when the words "Extraction, Tomorrow, Embankment" were added to the lexicon. The car would not be returning with them.

Three corners into SS6, on a left hand sweeping L5lg, car 35 suffered an "Inverse friction-velocity dependent loss of traction, terminating with a non natural alignment in relation to the vertical axis."

In car video would show nothing too extraordinary, just ran out of road, as it were. Daphne was very happy to have kept hold of her pencil. During the whole incident.

Sweep had delivered them back to service. A bit dirty, understandable a bit rattled, and a with service crew that was happy to see them, and not happy to see them all at the same time.
It's seems the rally gods may have been angered by the fresh paintjob.
James would later comment: "it was just working so well....." Famous words, and he's not the first ones to utter them. You get comfortable, you push.....

Once we got things a bit sorted, we began the packup of our gear. We took our time. With the car far clear of the road, they would allow us in only after the final pass of the stage. We had time.
Discussion with organizers on logistics took place with the Team, and it was setup that we would meet a recovery truck on the 132, just outside the service park. 2100hrs.

Some cars were returning for final service of the night. Some were not. More than a few were worse for the wear......

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Tue Aug 08, 2017 2:28 pm 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
Our neighbour Chris, was not back in. We would find him later, his evening also not going to plan.

With truck and trailer packed, we rolled out. We were not sure how this was going to all play out yet, how bad things were really, and what kind of tooling would be available.

I did my best not to collect the neighbouring service setup as we wormed the trailer and Dodge out of the hole. Rain had started to make things a bit mucky.

2km outside service, we met with a suspiciously parked tow truck. The lads onboard seemed in good spirits, and more importantly, this was not their first rodeo. James and Daph had decided that driving really was not their thing anymore today, and understandably so. Kevin snagged the TDI, Gord the Recce car.

As we roll towards SS6 and the covered bridge the rain now set in, just to add to the mood. It's dark, wet, and very humid.

Rolling into the road, we can see the closed signed. We've not really bothered to check our watch. It's only after we start passing rallycars on the side of the road, that we process the math.
The stage is still ongoing, and judging by the car numbers that we've seen, there is a good portion of the field yet to go. Entertainment for our dim evening!

We park our vehicles, and walk towards the time control. The gang working the stage start have done this before. A pit sized tent is lashed to the back of their car, they have cool water, food, snacks, power, radio, and dryness. 25m away is the start line proper. They invite us into the tent. Nothing like rally hospitality.......

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:10 am 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
Watching the start of a National event, with top level cars, at night, is fairly epic. Added to this the quiet of the rain, the sheen on the road.... It's a spectacle that any rally fan would enjoy.

Anti lag, Launch control, LED pencil beams, all combine to generate symphony of sensory overload..... It's wonderful.

With the final pass concluded, we come up with our game plan. Cell service is sporadic here, and with the unknown recovery in front of us, we opt to leave the service truck at the hill bottom, and let the tow truck do it's work. We'll then evaluate what we have to work with. Such as wheels.

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 9:12 am 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
The close of the stage for the night, allows us access.

Car 98, 99 and Sweep are all off into the darkness, and we watch our Recovery Truck and Recce Car stage up.

It's a less dramatic start than the rally traffic.


With the start crews packed up, timing gear put away, we are left to quietly contemplate this place. It's dark, raining, and very calm. It's one of those moments that makes one think. Why are we here? Why do we do this? What is this sport all about?
It's a very good question. You could be home, in a house, on a sofa, watching sitcom reruns, or that HBO series that seems so popular...... But that's not really living, that's not any sort of rush..... you wouldn't be here. Communing with nature, contemplating that sound outside the truck....

Lights are appearing over the top of the ridge in the distance. We spring to attention, wondering if it's our vehicle, at the mercy of a hook.

It is more like us.... the volunteers that have spent an evening of entertainment, in the woods. Damp, focused, and high on adrenalin. Almost no better place to experience motorsport than deep in the woods, where the battle is waged.......

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 10:39 am 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
A few more of our fellow competitors make their way out of the stage towards us. They are on ropes.... A sign that we've not been the only ones having a less than perfect event.

The Recce Car approaches. The best laid plan, is to head back out the road we feel, and try and load the car under the street light. Gloomy, but somehow appropriate.

After wiggling truck and trailer around in the road, we get ourselves stationed to receive our pride and joy.

Shockingly, all four wheels seem to be in the same place. It is dirty, panels are not straight, and will need work.
With it clear of the wheel grabs, it's left to be loaded. James figures that we may as well try the easy route. Amongst the dirt and glass he gets the petals organized, and keys the engine.
It stirs and hiccups... when it does catch, it reminds us all of it's extended inverted pose with a belch of lubricant that's made it's way into the combustion chambers. On the whole it sounds fine, which is another check for the positive box.

Loaded, and appropriate compensation made to our new friends in the towing service, we make our way out the road.
Our friend Chris Greenhouse is standing, looking a bit forlorn, tow rope in hand. He has folks on the way, but the picture he paints, standing with his car on a tow rope, dark and wet waiting for help, is one that illustrates the cruelness of this sport sometimes.
Even in the low of the evening, he has presence of mind to inquire as to how James and Daph are doing. It's a good community these rally folk.

Making sure he's set, we carry on our way. We're only 10 km from our home base, where food and beverage await. More of the latter would seem to be in order after a day like this.....

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Aug 17, 2017 10:29 am 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
Vehicles parked, and feet up, we try and relax a bit.

Freshening up is required, get the service park or remains of nature off of us.

Food and beverage is consumed, and some light conversation. We have nothing official on the schedule now. Gord and I have to meet AZE to get some parts, but other than that, the schedule is free. One could even sleep late if they wished...

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Aug 17, 2017 10:56 am 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
With a new day on us, the weather seems to have shone, as it were.

Sunny and pleasant, we awake refreshed, but slightly stiff in some cases. With the new day, brings desire to see family and loved ones. With multiple vehicles, we have multiple options.
Tim and Mal are still rallying. Given that we are here, and this is somewhat of a vacation, Sonia and James feel they should make use of the time. I vote to stay close to anyone with VW experience, and the truck that has MKIV wheel bearings on it.

While they've enjoyed their time, Gord, Daph and Kevin decide to return home early.

We'll transit back to town, load the service vehicle with parts and stuff we don't need. The recce car will go with the early departure.

On the run back to service, the Recce car decides that it's glass sunroof is bothersome, and would like to shed it. Fortunately Subaru has a sliding cover below it, which keeps glass off the occupants. We can find no marks of impact, no deceased birds, no signs that it's been attacked by a Dragon..... Just spontaneous implosion.

At the service park, we prepare a patch for said opening. I can understand not wanting to roll with a gaping roof hole, and unsure weather systems.......

We walk the paddock to find a suitable product to assist us:

Pizza Boxes and Duct Tape it is.... Very functional, and perfectly in keeping with the rally theme of "Press on regardless....."

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Aug 17, 2017 1:23 pm 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
Most National events provide excellent viewing area's for spectators. Baie is no exception. Camp Brule and Saut de 5 provide good viewing, excellent safety margins, and usually provide washroom and beverage facilities, in exchange for a small fee.

"Real" Rally spectating, or at least in the opinion of a few, involves being where no one else is. That is the magic of rallying, the quiet and silence, being broken by the approach of vehicles through the woods...

With some advice from Kevin, James Sonia and I proceed past Saut de 5, the spectator Jump, and make our way into an intersection that looks like it should be on the rally route. Sure enough, we find a line of cars on both sides of the goat path, that suggests we are in the right spot.

Less than a few hundred meters gets us ring side for a fairly substantial elevation drop, followed by a tight L3 downhill. This should be excellent!
The road section leading to the intersection, is fairly flat and straight, and you can hear the engines loaded at full revs, before bleeding off whatever the driver feels will be appropriate for the jump, and then the corner.
Judgement can vary, and some seem to have more than others.

_________________
"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..."


Last edited by Ian Pearce on Thu Dec 14, 2017 10:33 am, edited 1 time in total.

Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Aug 17, 2017 2:26 pm 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
With this run of the stage complete, we decide to reposition. We head back to service, to see what is going on behind the scenes.

We've done a lot, seen a lot, and taken the usual idea's that one sees in a service park. Mal and Tim seem to be doing ok, they inquire as to our driver and codriver.


After watching one of the GC8 Subaru's get itself sorted, we decide to head back for our evening worth of vacation. We have smoked meats to be BBQ'd, we have Lunns Mill products to be consumed, and tales to be told.

Feet up on the deck, ale in hand, Petit Caspicadia babbling in the background, one can hear the exhaust note of cars in the distance, finishing their final pass of the weekend...... Sun showers pass over our cabin.

By 8pm we will be over a dozen rally friends. We have visiting Co Drivers from away, we have photographers from out of town, and hometown volunteers. The tales are tall and enjoyable. The way a Motorsport tale should be. They even return our cookie sheet, borrowed a few days back.


Final scoring will put Sumit and Mal in 10th, Partrick and Tim in 11th after a small timing error.


We'll make an early start back Monday morning. We grab Tim from his teams cottage at the foot of the Ski Hill on the way by.
Quebec Diesel works well, and both our transports show excellent numbers on the return trip.

The TDI's wheel bearing continues to yell at us. We adjust the stereo as required every 100km or so.

Stopping for food in Miramichi, no one askes about the less than straight rallycar. I guess it's fairly self explanatory.

We arrive home at a rather sane dinner time. It's been a long weekend. A good time in a lot of respects, but a poor event in others.
Our professionalism at tech yields us a $100 prize as "Best Prepared for Tech". We suggest James puts it towards some more Kubota Paint for the MkIII. It could use a respray.





In a little over 48hrs we will do this again, on home soil. Spectator Stages for the Lookoff Rally are in Conrads Gravel Pit, Saturday Afternoon 19th August 2017.

http://www.lookoffrally.com for details.

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Aug 17, 2017 4:29 pm 
Offline
Irregular Member
Irregular Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 17, 2002 9:48 am
Posts: 1840
Location: Rothesay, NB
:beerchug:

Now I can finally get some work done instead of awaiting baited breath for these prose updates, great write up!

Stacy

_________________
The fricton circle for my 911 Porsche resembles more of an oblong... I'm either trailbraking or accelerating while trying to get it to turn!


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
PostPosted: Thu Sep 07, 2017 10:36 pm 
Offline
Overdrive
Overdrive
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2002 8:01 pm
Posts: 3117
They say a picture is worth 1000 words.....

I'm not certain of the value of 25min of video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sv8GP7HcpYU

_________________
"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..."


Top
 Profile  
Reply with quote  
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 50 posts ]  Go to page Previous  1, 2

All times are UTC - 4 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group