Event Report - Kumho Tyres Rally of the Bay

Car 18: 13^th Outright

For good reason the Rally of the Bay remains our favourite event of the Rally Calendar. Fabulous roads, super service park, terrific volunteers/officials and a good fun relaxed atmosphere. Congratulations to the sponsors and organisers for the atmosphere at the ceremonial start – it’s a great way to get people interested.

The event was almost over before it began, Jon was moving the car in the service park and there was a grinding noise and the engine wouldn’t start! There was some thought of having to change the starter motor but fortunately it ended up a bolt had come loose and just needed to be replaced.

The first half of the day was great fun, we were a little slow on the first couple of stages....and ever slower on the next few. We got a flat tyre but were blessed that it was on a transport! The car had been “spluttery” (yes that’s a navigators technical term) all day, but when the driving lights went on the spluttering raised to a whole new level! By the time we got to River Road things were very grim! We walked out of the forest last year and I was fearful that we were going to do the same again this year. On the transport back to the final service I gave Jon the option to bail out, I’d had a great day and was happy to call it quits if necessary. But in true JW style, he was confident it could be fixed! So it was back to the service park, some magic was performed by our awesome service crew and by the time we exited for the last two stages the car was running better than it had all day and our times improved enormously! I was so excited to see the lights and people at the final spectator point, what a great sight to finish on! The night stages were super-dusty but what a gorgeous view with a full moon! It’s enough to make a navigator lose their concentration!

A huge thanks to our service crew – Michael, Brady, Ian, Todd and Toby – thanks guys, as always you did a great job and rose to every challenge! Thanks to Jon for letting me sit in the seat again, such great fun! And thanks to the crews around us especially Adam & Nick, Matt & Karen, Karl & Anna. Huge thanks to Col and his team, bring on Rally of the Bay 2013!

Carolyn