Toronto has something call the Indy in it's downtown.....

This year 50 years of Formula 1 was celebrated in Montreal, with the running of the Grand Prix......

...and for 40 years a little town called New Richmond has played host to the most spectated Performance Rally in North America:

Rallye Baie Des Chaleur..........

_________________
"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..."

Look out, folks! The Rally Bard is warming up!

_________________
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

He's prepping his ellipses with the same diligence as a crew on the first day of a rally

Early in 2017 questions were starting to be asked of the regular competitors on who would consider making the trek to the Gaspe for Baie.

Original speculation had everyone from Conrad to Sleigh and folks in between going, it was going to be a good show! There was even consideration of one team renting from another for the event.

As the spring motored along, the plans started to firm up as they usually do with these sort of things.

Pitts and Partridge felt that focusing on their new build would be a good use of their time. Not a bad plan really.....

_________________
"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..."

Jon was in a state of flux, and didn't really have a plan nailed down. Given his upcoming nuptials, the funds to run a full on stage event were perhaps better considered for this.
We questioned his dedication, but we also like Kim, so we left him to make his own financial decisions.

Cal and Meg were also on the short list.

They have a bunch of positive things going on in their personal life, and they too presented a less than 100% answer on attendance. We certainly don't wish to inject friction into a situation. Being the good soles we are, we taunted mercilessly and then backed away.

So who was left?

_________________
"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..."

Gord and I had discussed a number of times how to make Baie work.

Given the amount of upgrades in the last season, and the upcoming season funds, we decided that likely this would not be the year.

This left James and Daphne as the lone NS car to attend.

They would not be the only Bluenosers though...... Mal Swann had been recruited to switch seats and Co Drive. Mal has quite the history on both sides of the car, with something near a 100 events split between the two sides of the car. To say he's well versed in rally would be to equate July 1969 to a walk in the park....

The American Sumit Panjabi would be the entry he'll co drive for, the car: a 2008 EVO X in P4WD.

_________________
"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..."

Tim Dine, who has been doing more seat jumping than kids at an elementary session of Musical Chairs, also got a phone call.

He'll Co Drive for Patrick Rainville, in an Open Class 2001 GC8 Impreza.

Nova Scotia is going to be well represented, and it's going to be a time.


So who else would go? Anyone who knows rallying knows you don't do this alone, you simply can't. At a National Event like Baie, you are not permitted to use your Rally Car for Recce, so that means a second vehicle. How do we get everyone there? Who all is going to work service? What will we use for Recce? Where will we get Coffee?

All the important questions one needs to ask........

_________________
"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..."

What about the coffee?

Fortunately New Richmond has a Tim's, and a Subway. Not to mention the Fin Gourmet, which serves the best breakfast for under $10 that I've every had.....

Mal had arranged his own transport. Tim on the other hand, was looking for a way up as well. We're going to need cars for mobility, and Recce, so maybe we'll fill more seats.

In the end, who winds up from the east coast?

Daphne "Thesheppard" Sleigh
James "Dasauto" Whitman

Gord "WrenchandITspecialist" Sleigh
Kevin "Dasautospecalist" Partridge
Ian "Wrenchminion2" Pearce

Tim "Seatjumper" Dine

Mal "Twinrotor" Swann

Sonia "Thegazelle" Meadows

Late on Thursday night another vehicle will depart with Jon "Hammerdown" Conrad, Max "Thetranslator" Meconse, and Cindy "Organizerextrordonaire" McCarron. A fun and adorable addition to the team, Felix "Isleepwell" Meconse is also on board.

Nova Scotia is well represented......

_________________
"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..."

We arrange our convoy with the 08 Impreza Recce car (with sunroof), the Diesel Tow, Rally car on Trailer, and the best $13 oil burner a person could buy.

Departing Enfield, slightly behind, but nothing pressing. We've clear road, and full tanks.


One of the things that I like about rallycars is their impact in their environment. They are by their nature, out of place. One expects to see a race car at a race track. A motorcycle at a track day is normal.
Most of the time, it is safe to presume that a drive through or parking lot is not a place for a full prepped car. We are supposed to have unassuming beige vehicles in public places... A rallycar is not beige, it has purpose, focus... it's been altered for it's tasks.... Made..... "More Gooder" if you will.....

Music is like that sometimes as well. Now I personally think Eddie Vetter should have left "Last Kiss" right where J Frank Carpenter and Cavaliers pressed it in vinyl, but I don't mind his take on "Hard Sun". In fact I kinda like it. Chris Cornell and Kim Thayil belt Rusty Cage like no other, and I like Johhny Cash... But.....

Sometimes a band just gets it right, and changes the feel of a song, makes it better, makes it into road music.......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fBd32vg3As

What the Headstones did with Tweeter and the Monkey Man Cements it into road music. We make very good time rolling into Miramichi. The plan is to dine (a loose term applied here for lack of a better) at what is now a Baie transit tradition. Mac Donalds.

_________________
"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..."

The section from Enfield to Miramichi is fairly uneventful, with the exception of bridge work over the river.

Down to one lane, we take a detour through town and over the bridge. Jokes are made about one lane bridges, me driving the service vehicle on the way back. My error in route on the Quebec Bridge a few years back is highlighted, along with other associated orange cone jokes. I amuse myself with a wry smile, you know your in good company when...

We've had a decent mix of music at the hands of the Gazelle on the run up. Eclectic to say the least.

Upon stopping in the lot at McDonalds, 7 individuals fall out of our respective vehicles. Sitting for 4 hours seems to have an effect on us, but we decide it's the weather, nothing to do with age.....

_________________
"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 filled with the best prefabricated food that an outlet has to offer (ahem), we get back on the road, and up to speed.

Music and tales ensue. Our original plan to fuel at the river stop is delayed. We do a quick correspondence via radio and take a poll: we can make another 75km, and we'll fuel near Bathurst.

Travelling with radio's in a convoy also provides many untold benefits of amusement. You can play I spy, you can tell jokes..... you can tell jokes about spying orange cars.... The fun soon wains.......

Sonia and Tim begin some discussion on Co Driving, and what it's like to move from seat to seat. Tim by this point has done a share of it, and Sonia is relatively fresh. It's interesting to hear how one passes what is important about the skill set to another.

_________________
"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..."

The bikers at our fuel stop take pause to look at the Rally Car. We're not sure they've got the full meaning of the beast, but it's amusing none the less.

The Recce car has no issue with spare pump, but the $13 TDI will need to wait for the tow vehicle to move. The twin pump is currently occupied by a logging truck. Must feel good to pay for 900 liters of Diesel at a time.

I'm pleased with the 5.3l/100 the TDI is returning. Perhaps this isn't such a bad investment after all........

Back on the road, and the downhill slide to Campbellton has begun.
In middle Campbellton there is a low railway bridge courtesy of the old Intercolonial Railway. (CN) The service rig "might" make it, but I feel cleaning the top off the fiberglass back would not be conducive to a good enjoyable weekend. We make plans to take Water St and avoid the question. This also gives lots of time to display sponsor decals to fair ride goers on the waterfront. I'm certain lots of them are in the market for the services of Lawrencetown Motors.

I make the dive up the left side of the tow rig, to lead through the maze of roads that will bring us unrestricted to the Pointe-à-la-Croix bridge. The right hand turn past the tow rig, is the first indication that a $13 TDI, comes with...... questions.........

_________________
"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..."

Wrenchminion2?

_________________
Brent O'Connor
ASCC Member
MHPDC Volunteer
2007 Mustang GT
Kentville

Across the bridge and into Quebec! It's very picturesque..... and it's even got a "Fluffy Sexxe Shoppe."

Another team member inquires if we will be stopping into said business.... "uuhhhhh, yeah.... no.... ummm....."
The uncertainty of the Shepherds response is priceless......

Our quest for knowledge about the contents of said "Fluffy Sexxe Shoppe" will have to go unsatisfied, as it were.... we have places to be and tents to erect.

The Duty Free beers stores will also have to wait. We are sponsored by Lunn's Mill Brewery on this voyage, and we're looking forward to there wares when the chance arises.

We roll east past the gorgeous scenery and lush vegetation of this part of the shore. I am reminded that sometime, a leisure trip needs to be incorporated into this routine at some point. It has a feel to it. Little motels like the ones you staying in when you were young on those family road trips.... Seaside views....... Culture and Lumber, all rolled into one.

In early May Flood conditions and fast water almost took down the Caspicadia River Bridge west of New Richmond on the 132. This is a major route. The result is an 11.4km detour. It's well marked, and freshly paved, as it will take some time to repair the original.

As we slow to make our way upstream to the older bridge and detour, the Left rear wheel bearing of the VW decides it would like to be noticed. I'm starting to fear there is a trend of me and road vehicles in the Gaspe, and it doesn't always end well.....

_________________
"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..."

I believe the shop was 'Sexe Puff', for all your tanning, vaping and sex toy needs.

_________________
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

Said shop also advertised jokes...

Timing of laughter may be an issue...

Ahem, so....

Inland we go. They really have done a good job on the detour.

We make it over the river, dodging logging trucks and other slow moving vehicles. We are getting close now, close indeed.

Tim is requesting that he be dropped at Rally HQ. He has a team to meet, and his driver to converse with.
Given that the Shepard needs to meet our Airbnb host, we branch off in down town New Richmond. Recce and Service rigs head North to the Pin Rouge, and our gorgeous Chalet in the hills. When your driveway is the edge of a Ski Hill, your doing it right.

As we approach HQ, we see more and more signs for the event. "Service, Road Closed for Rallye" etc etc. There is hosting an event, and then there is embracing one.

Try as we might, we can't convince them to give us our team package. Drive and Co Driver must be present. It's as we expected, but worth the shot. We say hi to some familiar faces, and depart, to head inland to our base of operations.

_________________
"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..."

Done with our greetings, and hungry for food, we leave Tim, now in the good care of his team for the weekend.

Inland we go, running next to the Petit Caspicadia River. Gorgeous scenery, with twilight setting in.


Fortunately we know where we are going, having used this Chalet last year. How the Sheppard keeps finding these places is beyond me.

James has the grill on the go, and a selection of smoked delectables is on the grill. D'Aubin Family Meats make a fine fine product, and like Pavlov's Dog, the clinking of trays incoming from the grill has my mouth watering.

The Service crew has an easier day tomorrow. we can sleep in, while James and Daph will be off at the crack of dawn, to do Recce. They are using a convoy format for Recce at Baie, and you need to be where you need to be, when you need to be there.

We settle in with a few cold beverages, some good food, and good friends. Guests are soon to show up and say hi, Peter McDonald, Angela Costner, and associates there of drop in for a visit. A text message from Hammerdown Conrad announces his plan to consider heading up with Cindy, Felix, and Max. He does like to stay flexible on this sort of thing. 15min later he sends that he's standing at the end of his driveway. More Nova Scotians for the festival.

I don't bother setting the alarm, the sunrise can do that job tomorrow....

_________________
"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..."

This is a wonderful tale but you forgot the event on the highway north of Bathurst where the fine folk on the motorcycle decided to take both hands off the handles bars to give an oncoming driver a double salute of sorts.. Let`s just say the brakes (not breaks (f#&k that drives me ) ) on the tow rig and trailer work very well .

_________________
James
PAST RACE DIRECTOR
GT5/15
2RHRACING

As do the brakes on the two cars following the two rig! It was a good attention check and cleared up any nodding off for the next 20 minutes or so.

_________________
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

0800hrs 30JUN2017.

The team has been up and gone for 2 hrs now. They have had an early appointment with a convoy style Recce, in the woods of the Gaspe.

We have a lucky day today, our day starts with the Gazelle preparing home made waffles, berries, fresh coffee..... We are roughing it.

Our task for the day, is to get service setup. Somewhere around 10am, the coffee pot emptied, we fire up our vehicles and begin our jaunt down the road adjacent the Petit Caspacadia. There is a lot of new pavement, and the speed signs are generous. The Cummins and TDI are making the best of their aged Dinosaur Bones..

In New Richmond proper we find our way into the service park, and make a plan on how to arrange the service setup. We calculate that we get tow vehicle and trailer on the long axis of one side, and have recce, rally and support vehicles nosed in. The room is generous.

Many of the bigger teams have been parked since last evening, and the usual dance of tent assembly and floor layout has begun. We don't figure we need the spectator roping like Subaru Canada does. Rallying is all about spectator access 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..."

With the truck positioned and the car unloaded, we get things situated on the work tarp.

The tent and canopy is erected and tethered to the ground, jacks and pin stand unloaded.

We quickly discover that we are without base wood for the jack and stands. Given the soft soil of the service park, this is an issue.

I try my best to salvage some debris wood from the neighbouring recycling facility, but the barb wire fence and rusted fencing present Health and Safety concerns not warranted by my current contract.

The Gazelle and I set of in search of a purveyor of wood......

_________________
"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..."

The New Richmond BMR is our target.

We hit up the supply counter, and stumble our way through some French interaction. "We need wood." It's a comments that raises eyebrows, but it might be my enunciation.

A very helpful clerk gets ahold of Brian, and we are told to meet him out back at the building supply section. It's well stocked.

Sonia is on the ball, and some batting of eyelashes and friendly talk gets us in Brians good books. After describing what we need, and that it's for the Rally, we are led to a pile of older well seasoned 2 x 8 beams. We pick out one that is likely only good for birdhouse fabrication due to it's knotty consistency.

Brian is a champ, and fixes us up with the whole stud cut to 2 foot lengths. They refuse our offer of coffee funds at least, and we pack the TDI with our lumber.

Across the road we stop in for our supplies and lunch items from the Maxi. (PQ Lablaws)

Back in the service park we find Gordon and Kevin gathering their thoughts in the shade........

_________________
"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..."

Happy with our wood, we unload it to strategic points on the tarp. We can easily tell the correct locations, because each pin stand has punched out very nice square holes for us to align too. This is how we learn....

With the car up, we are free to climb under and over. Every nut and bolt is checked. We don't expect to find too too much, James is pretty good at preparing his equipment. Spares are taken out of the truck, tents are raised, energy drinks are consumed. We take time to stroll around the paddock. Items that have been purchased from outlets in PQ are sourced from their providers. Good thing about buying from a Canadian Provider of Rally Parts, is that you can be almost certain to save the shipping if you pick it up at an event.

Late afternoon, James and Daph return from their day of Recce. They are back slightly sooner than some, as their Recce for the regional portion of the event saves them doing Recce on certain stages. The car shows that it's spent a day in the woods. Other vehicles are returning as well, in similar shape.

We've got a couple of hours to take a load off, decal the car and service vehicles, and get ready for the ceremonial start. New Richmond is a small town with a lovely feel, but it's quiet main streets will not be quiet this evening.....

_________________
"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..."

They have, quite literarily, rolled out the Red Carpet in downtown.

All of the entrants have a spot marked on the corner of the curb, and room to back themselves in. It is Parc Expose, and it is full of hundreds of rally fans, up close to the equipment, and the teams.
in the neighboring City Hall lot, they have erected a platform with ramps, for the ceremonial start. Each team will stop atop the box, be interviewed, and then proceed off into the night.

This is done in reverse order, to build interest toward the front running cars.

James and Daph do their best to give entertaining answers to the French Questions. Video and pictures abound.

Tim is quietly waiting next to his ride, hoping his driver shows up. The image of his raised palms, with some question, is priceless. Patrick does arrive, and they roll in their assigned spot. Bit of a shame, we had offered to do the task.

Given that we have cold beverages waiting, we decide to beat the rush. We do find Mal and Sumit in line waiting their turn. Mal is eating Poutine. I've never done it, but I'm not sure about eating Poutine while in the codrivers seat of a prepped car..... He seems pleased with the situation.

_________________
"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 us back in service, and things put to bed, we make plans to head back to our Chalet.

Service rig and Rallycar will be sleeping here this evening, so we stuff persons and gear into the Recce Car and TDI.

The Gazelle has promised Strawberry Shortcake, with real whip cream, so there is a special encouragement to make this voyage quickly.

A cold beverage, and delicious dessert is just how to rough it at a rally. We'll limit our consumption however. Tomorrow it's the Service Crews time to shine, and we have an 0700hr appointment with Tech Inspection. This is the glory part of the job that does not make the highlight reel.

_________________
"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..."

0520hrs 01JUL2017.

It's Rally (and Canada) Day.

We will take the car from Service to Tech inspection, and right into Parc Ferme. In Parc Ferme, the car will stay on display, but nothing is allowed to be touched until the start, at Noon.

Myself Kevin and Gord pile ourselves into the VW and head out from our Chalet. Sonia has an amazing blend of Coffee that we experienced yesterday, but today, no such luck. Our primary (read my) focus is to have enough time to hit up Tims before we pick up the Rally Car.

Rolling down Chemin de Saint-Edgar, the Wheel Bearing that announced itself a day earlier, has now become like that slightly annoying classmate in your Philosophy Class: "Will I stay? Will I go? What are the ramifications of me leaving? Why is there air?" Concern is elevated.

I wrestle with a bit more French, and get my morning fix. With the world improved by coffee, we raise our tent, and open up our service setup.

Tech is only 1.5km from the Service Park. It's not a long haul, but it's enough to let the RallyCar stretch it's legs, and give everything one last shake. We are good on fuel, and that will set them up for the first loop of stages in Five hours time. Suits and all appropriate gear is stowed onboard.

We are early for Tech, 20min so, we get a single finger (of the less offensive type) indication to wait for a minute. Balancing Coffee and the Halo Seat of the Rallycar is entertaining, but not something one would like to do on a daily basis......

_________________
"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..."

More MORE MORE!!
Enough of the cliffhangers. This is worse than waiting for launch Control.

I've got the door open and the brisk morning air wafting through the car. Kevin and Gord are outside, and we are conducting light conversation. The garage is a multi bay affair, and when you roll out of tech from the opposite side of the building, you are in Parc Ferme. "Nes Touch Pas"

We are waved in. With the car situation first in line, a horde of folks decend on us. It's fairly standard procedure, and we've taken the time to make sure we as the service crew are familiar with everything and it's location.

It becomes quickly apparent, that there are a number of new folks here for tech this year. It's always great to see new volunteers, but there is a learning curve. We do our best to communicate with some of the tech team that are less fluent in English. I do my best to not offend everyone with my butchering of the French Language. We are only called out on two items: Non standard insignia for a fire bottle, and a missing tow strap. We do find the tow strap, located with good sense right next to the Codriver.

We spend near 35minutes making light friendly conversation and gestures, as we are reassured that a correct sticker is being delivered to the garage. Cars are lining up outside, and things are happening, but we remain sequestered in our bay, blocking the whole process. My coffee is good.


Allowed to roll out, we plunk the car end of the line in Parc Ferme. We are quickly and most certainly directed to get out of the car, and outside the caution tape. I'm fairly certain the car is safe, they are taking their task seriously this year.

It's only 0800hrs in the morning. 4 hours to start time...

Sonia has her special blend on no doubt, and it's only 20km back to the Chalet..........

_________________
"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..."

Back at the Chalet the rest of the gang is up and at 'em.

Breakfast is on, coffee is good, and discussions about time and Notes is ongoing.

One of the things that would make this all the better, would be to spectate at least one stage.... just so we can get a feel. A taste of Baie dust, if you will.
Searching our map, and cross referencing the service times with start and finish times, we come up with a plan, that just might work:

We'll get them sorted at Service and out the door, and then we'll B line to the finish of Stage 1. By going in the back way, we have a clear route to get back to service for their arrival time. It's just crazy enough to work.

Into the Cars we pile, and back into New Richmond. We drop out team at the Parc Ferme, which will host the official start of the Rally. They are now allowed to get suits out of their cars, under the supervision of an official. People are gathering, and the roads surrounding Pneus New Richmond are starting to fill with support vehicles and others.

It's almost go 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..."