Anders Green was once quoted as saying:

"This is Rallying..... and it's not supposed to be easy......"

How Prophetic........

_________________
"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..."

Well I was going to tell this tale but Ian"The Wheel Man"Pearce has started so I will let him tell it

_________________
James
PAST RACE DIRECTOR
GT5/15
2RHRACING

Ohh goody! Waiting with rapt anticipation. (no pressure)

Your welcome to take the reigns James! Technically it's supposed to be from the Service Park....

_________________
"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 for more soon then

_________________
James
PAST RACE DIRECTOR
GT5/15
2RHRACING

I'd like to hear from both perspectives....

_________________
"On snow or ice or gravel, we all know that a car will not stop or steer. And yet rally cars do both of these things. That means the whole thing is sorcery, and the people who do the driving must be witches." - Jermy Clarkson.

Since we built the new car some 6 years ago, we've had lots of questions about events out of region.

The local Lookoff Rally is in with Baie and Charlevoix for the ECRC. Both are within 12hrs tow, Baie being about 8.

We've taken much good natured ribbing over the years as to when we are going. About 9 months ago Gord and I decided that maybe we should approach this year as the year to plan and do it. When Dine tried to tease us at the first Sprint of the year by asking what class we'd be in, we simply replied "Production".
His plan was to run with Conrad, which puts two NS teams in the service park.

So who would join us? Who could get the time to help us? You really cannot do something of this scale alone, so we'd need folks...... Who could we call?

_________________
"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 "theorganizer" McCarron and Max "Flatout" Meconse would be attending the event as volunteers and friendly supporters. Really cool to have folks from home to talk with in the park. Offer advice, tell you what not to do..... Felix "imcrawling!" Meconse was also in town for the event.

Car 31

Cal "wrenchminion2" VanDallen
James "wrenchminion1" Whitman
Daph "thecatherder" Sleigh

Ian "jet'aimelorange" Pearce
Gord "notewizard" Sleigh

In the camp next to us:

Car 32

Jon "hammerdown" Conrad
Tim "whereismydriver" Dine
Liam "wrenchdude" Layzelle

_________________
"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..."

Several years ago we did a tow vehicle upgrade.

A newish, but well used ex-RCMP K9 unit would do nicely. Rally service does not need clean, sunroof, carpet or other luxuries. Money that can be saved there can be put towards things like suspension, control arms, fuel.

Given the amount of spares we had gathered over the past while, we had a fair bit of stuff to go, but we also needed to be picky. We had tires that were to meet us in New Richmond, and other possible spares coming home with us. Volumetric efficiency would be paramount. Weight would have to be considered.

Given that the Suburban had been well "chiened" by it's previous department, and that it gets regular use by my better half on Dog Agility Trials, it has been dubbed, "Dogburban"

We stuffed the Dogburban and the WRX Recce car to load limits with spares and personal effects, and made our bid for the open road.

Baie is a rally where you are not permitted to do Recce in your Rallycar. You either use the tow vehicle, or another road vehicle. Having our WRX Rallycross/Recce would also give a run about vehicle for our service team while in New Richmond.

_________________
"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..."

Conrad and Dine would be leaving around the same time as us, and we had visions of a nice convoy trip to Quebec.

A very serious MVI on the 102 changed that plan, and Liam, Jon and Tim hit the open road before us. We kept in regular contact.
Jon's Recce vehicle was being transported by his folks. Always nice to make Rally into a family affair.

Jon's Cummins had suffered a fairly catastrophic failure of a third gear syncro just before the event. It would have been a push to say the least to get it back together in time. The rally family stepped up, and Jon was greatful for the use of Mal Swann's normal RX7 transportation. Those 6.7 PS Diesels do nice work on the open road so 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..."

1000hrs 28JUN2018

Coffee'd and fueled we continue our roll west.

We did however neglect to factor in our coffee consumption vs fluid output. We require a stop at Aulac.

Gord spends some quality time surveying a lovely selection of high end souvenirs. For some reason he does not jump at any.....

Our traditional plan is Miramichi for lunch, and we'll stick with that. It's our dirty little part of a dirty little sport...... BigMac's all around.

I find a two for one special on some excellent sort of "puppymonkeyredcowampedsomethingorother" It's titled "Ultra Blue" James, Cal and aren't sure, but it does taste like I imagine the gasket sealant would........

_________________
"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 bodies drained and replenished with chemicals of questionable description, we carry on.

Indications are that Jon and team are about an hour in front of us.

Conversation has skyrocketed with the use of energy drinks, and we debate many things, including the wisdom of fascinators in the wind.

Suddenly, the Recce Car explodes from behind us with some sincere acceleration, and Cal waving frantically out the passenger window.....
I can't quite figure out what his words, were, but Gord Manages to catch the meaning:

_________________
"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..."

Arghh!
I hate cliffhangers !

"SCOOP!!!"

Scoop? Cal wants Ice Cream? We just stopped, I don't think we need.........

As I check the mirrors, I can see the Rallycar Air Intake Roof Scoop flailing about madly in the air currents. It's been firmly affixed with no issue using industrial adhesive tape for numerous events!

Perhaps the wind gusts on the Cobequid Pass were too much. It's now dancing something I imagine to resemble an Irish Jig on the end of one length of tape.....

We get everything over to the side, and save our precious fiberglass addition. First good save of the weekend for the Service Crew, and it's only Thursday......

_________________
"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 crisis #1 done, we carry on.

There is a fair number of construction sites on the east coast of NB, but we don't loose too much time.

We are 60km outside of Miramichi when the msg arrives that Jon and Tim are making there stop. They don't indicate they are waiting, so we don't try and gather any extra time.

Registration opens for the event at 1800hrs local time, and we'd like to get there at a reasonable time, just to let us wade through the paperwork.

_________________
"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..."

It's rainy as we work past Bathurst and Dalhousie. It does wash a bit of remaining mud that we didn't get after the Tennycape event off.

We stop in Northern NB for fuel. This being the first big test of the new tow rig, we are pleased it will go 500km with gear and a trailer.

After again having discussions on stopping at the Sexe Poof Shoppe, we decline, and carry on.

I have a cousin who has asked every year if I am stopping in on the way by. I figure if your going to park on a side street in a small town, may as well do it with a Rallycar so you can start conversations, and have folks looking out from the edge of drapes.

Avrill is good enough to have the coffee on, and Daph and I top up our mugs for the final leg to New Richmond. We are getting close to home base for the weekend.

_________________
"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..."

Rolling into downtown New Richmond it's not hard to tell what weekend this is. The Honda Deal on route 132 will be the service park this year, and Tech with Parc Ferme is directly across the industrial road. Very convenient! Signs are already up showing "SERVICE PARK RBC".

It wet and dull, but inside the Rally HQ we are met with friendly voices and enthusiasm. Whether it's someone we've met and competed with at an event before, or someone from the deep organizer pool who've you met along the way..... Lots of handshakes and greetings.

Our package is expertly prepared. Numbers, Door Cards, all service and route books all nicely packaged with your car number on it. Gord sets to work making sure we have everything we are supposed to.

Our next stop on the list is to stop in for the grocery run. We dutifully follow the direction of Herder, and fill a cart with all off the good stuff we feel we'll need. James has promised a special meal for Sunday night, but won't divulge his secrets.

With baited breath we wait........

_________________
"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..."

Our accommodation this year will be the delightful Air BNB Cottage that has hosted us the past number of years. Very clean, good location, and a perfect location. Event enough room for a truck and trailer.

With beverage and food loaded, we make our final run to the Pin Rouge Ski Resort, on the door step of our abode.

Our neighbours are the official series photographers, so there's some good conversation to be had, and no worry about annoying ones neighbour with a Rally Schedule.

The service crew gets a lie in tomorrow morning. Gord and I, have a 0500hrs alarm for the recce meeting. It will be a long day.

We swap the gravels we have from the rally car to the recce car. Good to have a decent tire on for the stage roads we figure.
There is no enjoyment swapping tires with a car on a trailer, in the rain, but many hands make light work. We get our prep done, and try and get a few minutes of relaxation before sleep. A few sandwich wraps and protein bars are stowed for the AM.

Brains don't Brain well without food.......

_________________
"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..."

0500hrs 29JUN2018

Recce Day in New Richmond.

After a long day of travel, it would be nice to have a relaxing morning. That will not be the order of the day.

The coffee pot is the first item I fire up. Fill the mug, grab a snack. Make sure the Gatoraid, food, and recce books are in the vehicle.

Out the door and into town. Coffee is good, but there is not enough of it. Rally HQ is starting to grow with everyone here. Lots of folks have chosen trucks for their work today, a few cars. Prep is important for your recce car as well. I imagine the room, suspension travel and clearance of a Tundra makes it a good choice.

Inside the faces of familiar folks start to show. It's less animated at this time of day, but no one seems too cranky. Some guy named Mark Marti is there. We're in the big leagues now kids........

_________________
"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 roads closest to the center of New Richmond, and some other select ones, are done in a convoy style Recce. This was one of our area's of apprehension going into the event. We had been told that speeds must be kept at nominal (60kph) and this can create problems for new folks.

Are other area of question, was how are the organizer provided notes. I am fully aware that making notes is it's own art, and that it's one of the area's where I'm not the strongest. Gord and I agree that we should at least give the organizer notes a shot, and try and learn from it.

The first stages are short, and they are National Only. This allows us to practice, with no loss to us, we won't technically run these roads during the event, only Recce.

The first ones work ok, but we get lost on one of the longer stages. This causes us concern, and worry. We move to making our own notes, and then back to supplied. Getting into the Regional Stages, things start to work. We take a shortcut back to NR to get fuel. Climbing steep hills In a Turbo Subaru seems to use fuel it would seem. Ducking out of convoy, we let the tail car know, and make a plan to start the non convoy stages.

Fueled, we follow the Recce book to a field of Windmills. Interesting to note that Alberta Oil companies are building windmills in North Eastern PQ. Something too this perhaps.....

It's food time, and we break into the cooler just shy of Stage start, under the soothing swoosh of many Watts of Wind Power. These are our stages now, the game is on....

_________________
"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..."

Your transponder is installed in your Recce vehicle for the day. They are serious about speeding violations, and keeping an eye on all their sheep. We do our best to behave. Nothing like a big yellow box on your dash to let you know your being watched.

As we roll into Eloville for our first pass, there is a group of folks there. You have a Recce card, similar to a Rally Timecard, and it's presented and signed. They want to make sure you do no more than the two allowed passes.

Squared up on a start line in Quebec, with a path slightly wider than the car the reality sets in. We will run this in anger tomorrow..... and it's gonna be 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..."

There is likely no point in trying to describe this stage in words. I've spectated here before, off in the depths of it. Good times. Video is online.

It has a lot of the features that make the Baie so renowned. Elevation, transitions, grip levels, bridges, rivers..... And a kick at the flying finish that you "SHOULD" put in your notes. With Two !! for a double caution. Yep, that would be a good idea....

_________________
"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..."

JAS is the next stage to be done.

It's almost 24km, a lot of corners to get right. It's had issues from the spring rain, and they've done a fair bit of work to repair it.
Soft sections and uneven surface where the excavator has taken some of the bank to fill the road is the rule of thumb.

After winding it's way through the hills, it finishes with a section of widening 150-200m stretches, topped off with a 350 L5 500 downhill over flying finish.

Make sure you've flushed your brake fluid......

_________________
"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 in New Richmond, our service crew has been doing wonderful work. We're getting photo updates of our service park, all setup. Even with tents! (tents are good we will learn, but only when anchored)

We've ordered tires from our friend Vincent Trudel at AZE in Quebec, they have met us here. The gang heads to the Subaru dealer to have them mounted. Daph even manages to get swag out of the deal. I have no idea how many tires some teams have ordered, but they seem relieved at us only needing four mounted....

We are progressing through our stages, and the day is wearing on. It's debated whether Recce is more tiring than competing. I would vote that it certainly is mentally, but we've progressed nicely on the 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..."

With the day wearing on, we complete our tasking of note taking, adapting, and preparation.

It's been exhausting, and the day is not over yet. The ceremonial start is in New Richmond center this evening. We'll be expected to be in full suits, and look the part. It's wonderful when a town closes their Downtown Core, rolls out a red carpet (literally) and lets you park your Rallycar Sideways.

With good organization, Conrad and Dine are next to us. We figure if there is anything either team can help with, we'll do that. Keep the NS crew close to each other.

_________________
"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 mentality that we tried to come into this event with was "We are here to learn."
So far we have been.

Daph has some of the most experience as a CoDriver in the Modern time in our region. Her advice for this evenings meal, is just sit down at a restaurant, and take food prep off the table for this evening. Get away from the zoo for an hour and relax.

The Fin Gormet is just around the corner from the Service area, and if their evening meal is anything close to their breakfast, we'll be just fine....

They live up to it. Energy levels up, coffee injected, and feeling a bit rested, we get back to service. The organizers have stated they want all available lights on for the start, add to the show.

The crew mounts the pods, (thanks again to Cal's house of Subaru for the assistance in fab work) and we gear ourselves up in full nomex.

It's time for the start of the big show.......

_________________
"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 elect to stop and fuel the car on the way to Parc Expose. Time will be short for Tech tomorrow.

We use a very scientific method to calculate our fuel load for the following day. Disclosing the math would show our strategic excellence, so we'll keep it quiet. (30L about right? .... Sure.....)

It's mere blocks to the City Center, and we present our selves to the coordinator with the Radio. He directs us to the next guy, who helps us back into our spot. We start to get surrounded by kids, families, and rally fans. Conrad starts cycling children through his car for Photo ops. It's the kind of up close and personal intimacy that Rally is about.

It's starting to feel real, with our car in line, sunlight fading, throngs of people about.

We are ushered to the steps of the Hotel for a photo op of the crews. It's something to be a part of 80 people in Nomex.....

_________________
"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 is busy distributing RE stickers. The kids love them.

One little guy promptly stickers his brother. Not the normal advertising method, but it gets the word out.....


A gentleman in a vest beacons us to the car, and starts giving the cue up signals. We will proceed over the ceremonial start ramp in reverse order. Saving the best for last maybe?

We feel that Robbie Gordons Dakar approach is not appropriate, we shall behave......

_________________
"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 are instructed to get out and talk with the Emcee. I promptly mess this up and forget it after watching Jon. We are also told to light all lights on the way off the stand.

Gord is live streaming from inside the car...... I don't think they did this back in the 70's..... Tim starts to watch our stream. He's 10 feet away. Good to be loved.

It's our turn. Quite the feeling to drive onto a raised podium in New Richmond. Being a nice night, there are likely something close to a Thousand folks milling about and lining the roads. We are getting the sponsors their exposure for sure.

I bungle my speech with the Emcee, don't get out of the car, and feel very self conscious about it all. Normal I suppose for this amount of exposure! The crowd still gives a big cheer for my poor French and my thanks to the town for the support and enthusiasm.

With pointless prodding of the throttle for the extra crackle and lights ablaze, we roll off the DJ section, and carefully thread our way though the area to the roadway. It's back to service, and a nights sleep.

_________________
"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..."

Just means we get to do it right as veterans next year!

_________________
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