These stages don't count, but it's supposed to be a bit of a shakedown for car and crew.
Stages P1 and P2 were Ardmore Quarry Road, run once one way and later in reverse.
We're regarded as one of the slowest cars (!) so we were just the second car to start off.
This was a bad time to realise that our tripmeter wasn't succesfully calibrated! Bad form to be honest, but it was too late for that now. It was very drizzly and we were warned that the stage was very slippery in places. That together with a potentially very quick Fiat Abarth behind us didn't help my nerves.
It was Rob's nerves that really took the beating once we started. Due to a problem with the camera there's no proof, but the cursing came thick and fast!
I had a blast, though it was hard work. The road was very unpredicatable and indeed slippery in many places, but the new tyres are certianly proving their worth!
So some confidence gained, we weren't caught, and we kept it on the black stuff. Not bad for a first go.
Some were not so lucky. We learned that three cars didn't make it through that first Prologue stage and the second was delayed for 40 minutes.
When we finally got underway, Rob was a bit more acquainted with the tripmeter and route book, and I a little less nervous.
I didn't spare the horses and really threw the car back through the stage, leading to a few hairy moments! But, again we made it through and with grins all round.
But not to last unfortunately. After getting slightly lost back to service stop, we discovered some unwelcome news.
A suspension bushing around the axle had torn free from its mounting point, probably due to my somewhat "spirited" drive in the last stage. Long story short, it's back to normal now but tomorrow will tell whether it holds up further.
So not so brief then, but must end now. Been a long day with only two stages, and Day One tomorrow is mammoth!
1 comment:
Hey what a day it seems you guys have had. Still in the targa so thats a good sign. Bit of bad luck with the suspension and the tripmeter but has not seemed to cause you too much trouble. All the best of luck for tomorrow and look forward to your update.
Bob
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