CCRMIT 2000 AUTUMN MIDNIGHT INTRO TRIAL

11th March 2000

Powelltown/Noojee area

This event we were a little more prepared, thanks to our experiences at the MSCC Intro. We had a service crew (of sorts) in Deb's parents, and we had some idea of what to expect when we got to the event. We passed scrutineering this time, without any dramas. We were running in the road class again, however the regulations for this event allowed us to run either a rally trip meter OR rally tyres. Not having a trip meter we took advantage of being able to run the tyres. Next problem was that second hand 13 inch rally tyres are a rare as hens teeth, and I couldn't afford new ones. We ended up settling for a set of used Toyo 720F Mud & Snow tyres from my local Tyrepower store.

The difference could be felt the moment I hit the odometer check. The grip was a million percent better, and so was the handling courtesy also of a rear sway bar I had fitted since the last run, to dial out some of the understeer. The only real problem with the new tyres, was that the profile was different to the standard ones, and this made the car's odometer even more inaccurate (even before wheel-spin).

The event itself was not all that far from home, only about an hours drive. Maybe because of this, we were a little too relaxed as we packed up the service vehicle and headed off. Half way there we realised that we had left the bag with the torches and pens etc., at home. Too late to turn back, the owner of the local general store must have thought it was a rush when, minutes before closing time, I bustled in to buy a couple of torches some pens and a load of batteries!!!

We arrived and booked in. Deb sat down with the road book and maps and started to chart the route that the event would take us on. She started to panic and get a bit up-tight when the notes did not agree with what was on the maps. Checking with a couple of the other teams we soon discover that they were having the same dramas. We all drew the conclusion, that the road referred to in the note was in fact not on the map.

The tyres were not the only thing to receive an upgrade since the last event. Also getting the star treatment was the driver/navigator communication system. Shouting to each other in the MSCC Trial had left us a little horse. While the car is not really all that noisy with its stock engine and standard exhaust, the one thing I had miscalculated was the incredible noise of gravel pounding the underbody. Anyone who has not rallied would be very surprised. It was time to fit a helmet-helmet intercom. The unit installed was a home made one...... and I was a little nervous as to how it would perform, having only just finished piecing it together a day or two earlier. It was surprisingly good. Deb and I could chat to each other in normal voices and hear each other fine.

We started the event with the aim this time "to finish, but not be last of the runners". While we did actually finish our first rally, the only teams we beat were the ones that failed to do so. This time we were trying to go one better.

The roads were great. Some fast and fun... and other tight, twisty and even more fun! We were rolling over the gravel beautifully, adopting the same strategy as our first event: Work up to the limit, when you find it, take a little step back and then start working up again.

We had a little tank slapper on stage three that I couldn't catch, so I ended up throwing the car into a spin to stop, and then starting on down the road again no harm done apart from loosing a few seconds.

Each event we've done I've had ONE corner that was perfect (yes only one - that's rallying). I can't remember which stage this one was on, but I came into the corner with the car set up just right. The right attitude, the right speed, the right amount of brake, the right flick on the steering, the right line, the right gear, the right revs and just to top it all off.... a couple of camera flashes as we went round. "Cool, a spectator point," I remember thinking to myself before focusing on the next bend.

We had a couple of "interesting" moments on the rally. Approaching one T-intersection, Deb called "Turn left........ sorry RIGHT, turn right!!". Too late! The wide eyed road closure officials got the fright of their night (and probably a good laugh afterwards too) as we did a 450 degree LEFT turn to go RIGHT.

Our only other slight drama (if it could really be considered a drama) came on the second last competitive stage. We were being caught in the stage by one of the quicker cars who had had trouble earlier in the night and had been shuffled down the running order. To be fair to our fellow competitor, we pulled over to let the quicker car pass. In doing so we got our left hand wheels into the soft stuff on the side of the road and for a brief moment I thought we were going to end up getting bogged again. We did finally we got going...... with a little difficulty. Also in this stage our intercom started to drop in and out.

Finally by the end of the next touring stage it had dropped out all together, and for the final competitive we had to revert to shouting at each other. On this clear, windless night the choking dust was just hanging in the air between the trees, and we (especially our throats) were very thankful that we had had the intercom for 90% of the event.

The last competitive stage was a long one, and very rough. The little Daihatsu with her standard suspension was having trouble holding onto the road. Even the new tyres couldn't hold on to the larger rocks and I was working overtime behind the wheel. Towards the end of the stage I was getting really tired. Then Deb called what I didn't want to hear, "Caution! Long slippery down hill". Through gritted teeth I yelled back "If this isn't bloody slippery, WHAT IS??!?". I soon found out what slippery was. Long down hill, and I couldn't back off the whole way down, as the little FWD just kept wanting to swap ends.

The drive home was left up to the service crew, with Deb and I both fast asleep as soon as we hit the comfort of a soft seat and a sealed road. And that was our event........ or so we thought. The final chapter was rewritten a week later when the results were posted. We had achieved our objective for the event, finishing a creditable 15th outright..... but imagine our elation when we realised we had WON the front wheel drive class.

Early the next month we attended the awards presentation at the CCRMIT general meeting, to claim our trophies and even a winners cheque for the FWD class sponsored by Danny Murphy Automotive. - Thanks Danny

PS. The prize money was used to replace the clutch we all but destroyed on the long final competitive stage.