Rally NY Sprint June 20th 2009
There was much preparation and anticipation leading up the the Rally NY Rally sprint. This would be Les and my first stage event and the perfect 1 day low key event to get some practice before the New England Forest Rally next month. The two weeks leading up to the event were filled with long days and evenings getting the cage up to current spec, installing the intercom and rally computer as well as fabricating skid protection, mud flaps and the required identification decals. The humble Rabbit is finally starting to look like a proper race car again.
Les pop riveting the belly pan into place. We used a sheet of polyethylene to make the skidplates and flaps, we’ll have to wait and see how they hold up.
Finally in her race drag.
Posed in front of Greasecar Headquarters.
After all of our preparation was complete we packed up and headed to Rally HQ in Kerhonkson NY, about 2.5 hours drive. The plan was to make it in time to register, pass tech and complete our orientation at 6:30. When we arrived we found that things were not very well organized in the pit area. There was a classic car show going on at the same hotel and no one was sure what to do with the rally’s race car trailers. One trailer was already stuck in the mud across the street. Luckily we were early and had enough room to off load the car by the pit area and park the trailer on the side of the road before the clutter really began.
After unloading we registered and picked up our race packet. The Polish organizers argued with Les about the proper pronunciation of his name but otherwise we made it through without a hitch. At tech Walt Clark threatened to not pass us as he was still sore from me taking the class win from him at Burke a couple weeks earlier, but in the end decided to be a true professional ;).
Once all our paperwork was in order we met up with Bernie who gave us our orientation and had some useful co-driving tips for Les. With a long day of logistics behind us we had just enough time for a late dinner before heading off for some rest.
Saturday morning I met up with Les at breakfast and he told me he had been up for hours shaking out his nerves. We had a light breakfast and made our way to the stage start to get a few recce runs in before the 10:00 start time. I don’t think either of us were prepared for how closed, narrow and loose the stage was. The idea of a 4 mile single road rally sounded as though it was going to be a bit of a let down but it was quickly clear that there were some challenges ahead and our original idea of saving the good tires for NEFR immediately went out the window.
Many of the turns looked the same and visibility was limited in the overgrowth under overcast skies. There were a number of very large pot holes and trenches that spanned the entire width of the road and marbley sections of gravel runs over crest.
Back at the pits we had just enough time to swap tires before the race then lined up for our transit stage. The newly installed intercom was acting up and Les and I could barely hear each other, fortunately we already knew the route to the special stage. Driving up to the stage start was when the butterflies really started to flutter and we both took a few deep breathes before strapping in and pulling up to the start light. The count came down and we were off. Immediately I could feel the torque of the diesel breaking traction and knew this was going to be a game of weight shifting rather than steering. My plan was to use this first stage to feel out my traction breakaway and gather up confidence to push my times as the stages moved on. After the first mile I was just starting to dig in a but when we came around a blind right that tightened over a bridge into a loose left 3. As we made our way around the right turn we had to a slippery halt as a co-driver holding his emergency sign came into view. The injured parties were being attended to and one other team had already been sent ahead to the radio checkpoint so we were told to keep going. As we drove over the bridge we saw Eamon Sweeny trapped in his co-drivers seat as the door had been caved in after sliding into a tree on the loose left turn after the bridge. Not the type of scene best witnessed in the midst of your first stage of your first rally.
The initial shock lasted a few moments as we slowly drove away from the scene and remembered that technically we were still in a race. Lester was completely off the notes at this time and told me I’d just have to drive it. I started picking up the pace just as we approached the clearing where the road transitioned to tarmac for an uphill hairpin right. Les was able to get back on the notes and we gingerly yet cautiously finished the course knowing that our time was blown anyway.
At the turn around we joined all of the other competitors who were lined up and waited for a couple of hours to hear the status of the racers and plan for the event. Eventually we learned that the racers had been sent to the hospital and emergency crews were stuck on the stage road so the mornings runs were cancelled and we were sent back to service and lunch at HQ.
Bach at HQ a drivers meeting was held and the competitors were asked to vote as to whether the race should continue. Tom Lawless spoke up to say that no decision should be made until the condition of the injured racers was known and so we all worked on servicing our cars and awaited news. Once another couple of hours had passed and no new news was received it was decided that the race was canceled.
Disappointed and deflated we packed up and headed home, looks like NEFR will be our maiden event.
Fortunately both injured parties ended up with only minor injuries limited to a sprained knee and fractured collar bone.
Our one moment of glory.
Fire truck stuck in the mud.
Heading back to service after cancellation of morning stages.
At least we look the part.
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