Car 370's Prescott.
Posted: Mon Oct 10, 2005 7:03 pm
Here's my weekend!
I really was not interested in doing Prescott! Everyone told me it was a very fast event with some big fresh air bends and great smooth stages,plus an eight hour drive and my car is set up for off gas oversteer.Nope not doing Prescott.So I sent a email to Michael Taylor just to see about the event.He made it sound so good I thought I'd give it a try.
Anyway I purchased six Falkens as my lucky kumho's had now past their best.Thursday came quickly,I had been quiet at work so a early get away looked good.Wrong! I had a rush job and didn't leave home until after 5pm.Then I convoyed with Chad(See you Pal)Davies.All went well until the long haul out of Palm Springs.The temp went into H and the 'Service Engine' light came on.The rest of the journey I did with the heater on!
Anyway got there at 2am,had a swift beer and hit the bed.7am Jeff arrived at the hotel and got some sleep as I got up and worked on the car.
Paperwork/tech passed without to much drama.I met up with Rob(other Legacy) who at the very last minute found a co-driver(Shea Burns) got his car ready and was in the rally!
So off to the first stage.This stage had quite a long transit up into the hills.The stage had a bit of everything.Tight/twisty,fast/flowing and some rather large fresh air bends.So this was it 5-4-3-2-1 GO! first bit was a down hill section with some tight bends with that fresh air just waiting for a mistake.Yep my heart was pounding.After only the first few bends it came apparent that something was not right with the tyres/handling as everybend was a fight to keep the car from swapping ends! on one L4 off camber the car was heading for edge.I quickly told Jeff I'm slowing down.So I backed off and tred to find a happy medium.The stage was really great but a hard work just to keep from having a BIG off.Anyway we made it and after talking to other drivers,it seems it was the stage surface that was my problem.Just like driving on ball bearings!
Stage 2 was very fast to start with a tripple caution bridge, then tight/twisty to finish.By this time it was getting dark so that should make things interesting.I tackled the stage with the same mind set,just keep it on the road! everything was going well until about 3 miles from the end the intercom played up so I had try and listen to Jeff and figure out the stage.We had a few moments but nothing to dramatic.
Stage 3 + 4 were the reverse of 1 + 2 so at least I had some idea of what was coming.While waiting to start we and others marveled at the beautiful night sky.It was fantastic to see so many stars(in the sky,not drivers!)
Back into battle! with intercom sorted we hit the stages with a bit more confidence.The lights seemed good and we made good progress.Now stage 4 I knew after the R4 through the cut out the fresh air started so I took that section with quite a bit of caution.Yo! we did it finished the night stages! just as I pulled up to the finish the spot lights went off!(Lucky spots?)
So back to HQ and get some much needed sleep.5am I did wake up with a panic attack! thinking about those fresh air bends!!! I got up early and fixed the spot lights with help from fellow GT guys the Hudsons.Thanks guys.
Stage 5 was a quick 1 1/2 laps of an oval dirt track.It was muddy and the Legacy just tootled round the track.I'm sure it must have been boring to watch as we followed Jeff Rados in the monster truck!
Stage 6 was a repeat of stage 1 this time I had mastered the cars tendency to swap ends.So I was really starting to enjoy the stages more and into the groove! I tell you these stages are some of the best roads I've rallied on.The car was awsome,not super fast just flowing/sliding through every bend.
Now I was on fast stage high and the next stage(7) a 11 miler looked super fast.It sure was with long straights and fast flowing bends.Only problem was it was a slight up hill on most of the first part.So flat out in 3rd(85mph) was my max speed as 4th only did 75mph.I thought this is were Mike Moyer(CRS GT) is going to pull some time on us.He did but not by to much.Can you ask for better stage roads?? I did notice on route to transit the bonnet(hood) pin was loose.At service I fixed that and checked the car.Out of oil again! antother quart in the engine.
Stage 8 was a short 4 miler with lots of rocks,ruts and some jumps.I liked it! a bit like CA roads,so all seemed to go well apart from wacking so many rocks.
At the turn around Mike Moyer had hit a rock and broke off the centre drive shaft mount.After much frantic work he managed to do a nice rally repair with straps etc.We all had time to swap stories and wait to do the reverse of stage 8.On the this stage I seemed to be going well ,err a little to well as I took a jump a little to fast and hit something hard.
Back at service revealed the front section of the exhaust was flat and had a large hole in it! nothing I could do.I had another slight problem,no BRAKES! I had bad knock off on the stages so everytime I hit the brakes it would take several pumps to take up the slack.Just something I would have to live with as I had no spares.
So off to stage 10 the very fast 11 miler but now down hill! this was my favourite stage! At stage start the car went into 'check engine' mode and I had to bump start the engine to get into the time control.The engine seemed good at high RPM though.so what could do? but just thrash it!
we were going so fast(well for me) at one section we were doing over 100mph.Now all this speed was good,but not something I'd had before.So this came apparent when Jeff was calling the corners to late! so there we where barreling into a L5 at 80+ when he said L5 tightens off camber.OH sheeeet.I don't how we made it ,but we went into a huge slide,I mean HUGE! all I saw was the rocks/trees and thought bye bye car.Anyway I let it slow some then booted the gas and it seemed to pull straight.A little over correction on the steering and we were on our way! Phew that was a close one.We had a few more moments as I was still get back into it.
We finished and spent the transit laughing(nervous laugh?)about our near off.
Stage 11 was the same as Friday's stage 2 but in day light.So tight/twisty opening to fast and flowing with that tripple caution bridge.The engine still had some issuses but seemed OK.We got through with ony a few near misses.Back at service revealed the battery was dead.Lucky for me I had a spare one to run a flashlight! so Jeff swapped the battery while I checked the Aux air valve.Started the engine and all seemed fine!!!
Stages 12 and 13 were repeats of 10 and 11 but in the dark.We still hit nearly 100 on some sections but i did lift a little as I remembered our near off.Completed the stage about 30secs slower than in the day.Stage 13 was much the same,some caution and was 16 secs slower.I did see two bush men holding a an OK board(Mosers) after the tripple caution bridge,but apart from that nothing much to report.
So that was it another rally finished and the CRS GT championship in the bag! plus a 9th O/A and 2nd in class.
Was I pleased ? to right! back to service to hand in the time cards then off to the HQ.
I loaded my car and got ready for the post rally party???????
The awards breakfast was nice,I did have a speach sorted until Leon said "speak English" ,Leon you're banned from the awards!
This has been a really great rally season for me.The car has been fantastic,I've learnt so much about my driving style and done all that on a very small budget.This was my last rally for this year as I have other plans for the Laughlin weekend,plus after using 4 quarts of oil I think the engine needs a rebuilt!
So my advice to anyone thinking of getting into rallying is buy a good used rally car,prep it how you want and go out there and have some fun.It can be done on a very small budget.Ok a little luck does help.My driving style is consistant safe driving,avoiding any bad spots on the stage,even stopping to miss them(better to loose a few secs than the rally).From the start of the rally to the end I drive at the same pace.Just waiting for the fast guys to punture,go off etc.It seems to work for me.The Falkens?? no wear on them so looks like these tyres might last a year as well!
I did enjoy this rally and had some good battles with Mike Moyer/Nick Hudson.It sure was fun trying to keep up with them.
One more thing.I have done all year without much body damage until driving home,the mud guard fell off the tow dolley and bounced into the Legacy putting a rather large dent in the door! lucky for me there was no one following me.
Again thanks to everyone who made this happen.
Next year????? I might do some engine work on the car and move into open class?? but still no Turbo! anyway we'll see.
Cheers
Chris
Legacy #370
http://www.thawa.net/gallery/Rally370
I really was not interested in doing Prescott! Everyone told me it was a very fast event with some big fresh air bends and great smooth stages,plus an eight hour drive and my car is set up for off gas oversteer.Nope not doing Prescott.So I sent a email to Michael Taylor just to see about the event.He made it sound so good I thought I'd give it a try.
Anyway I purchased six Falkens as my lucky kumho's had now past their best.Thursday came quickly,I had been quiet at work so a early get away looked good.Wrong! I had a rush job and didn't leave home until after 5pm.Then I convoyed with Chad(See you Pal)Davies.All went well until the long haul out of Palm Springs.The temp went into H and the 'Service Engine' light came on.The rest of the journey I did with the heater on!
Anyway got there at 2am,had a swift beer and hit the bed.7am Jeff arrived at the hotel and got some sleep as I got up and worked on the car.
Paperwork/tech passed without to much drama.I met up with Rob(other Legacy) who at the very last minute found a co-driver(Shea Burns) got his car ready and was in the rally!
So off to the first stage.This stage had quite a long transit up into the hills.The stage had a bit of everything.Tight/twisty,fast/flowing and some rather large fresh air bends.So this was it 5-4-3-2-1 GO! first bit was a down hill section with some tight bends with that fresh air just waiting for a mistake.Yep my heart was pounding.After only the first few bends it came apparent that something was not right with the tyres/handling as everybend was a fight to keep the car from swapping ends! on one L4 off camber the car was heading for edge.I quickly told Jeff I'm slowing down.So I backed off and tred to find a happy medium.The stage was really great but a hard work just to keep from having a BIG off.Anyway we made it and after talking to other drivers,it seems it was the stage surface that was my problem.Just like driving on ball bearings!
Stage 2 was very fast to start with a tripple caution bridge, then tight/twisty to finish.By this time it was getting dark so that should make things interesting.I tackled the stage with the same mind set,just keep it on the road! everything was going well until about 3 miles from the end the intercom played up so I had try and listen to Jeff and figure out the stage.We had a few moments but nothing to dramatic.
Stage 3 + 4 were the reverse of 1 + 2 so at least I had some idea of what was coming.While waiting to start we and others marveled at the beautiful night sky.It was fantastic to see so many stars(in the sky,not drivers!)
Back into battle! with intercom sorted we hit the stages with a bit more confidence.The lights seemed good and we made good progress.Now stage 4 I knew after the R4 through the cut out the fresh air started so I took that section with quite a bit of caution.Yo! we did it finished the night stages! just as I pulled up to the finish the spot lights went off!(Lucky spots?)
So back to HQ and get some much needed sleep.5am I did wake up with a panic attack! thinking about those fresh air bends!!! I got up early and fixed the spot lights with help from fellow GT guys the Hudsons.Thanks guys.
Stage 5 was a quick 1 1/2 laps of an oval dirt track.It was muddy and the Legacy just tootled round the track.I'm sure it must have been boring to watch as we followed Jeff Rados in the monster truck!
Stage 6 was a repeat of stage 1 this time I had mastered the cars tendency to swap ends.So I was really starting to enjoy the stages more and into the groove! I tell you these stages are some of the best roads I've rallied on.The car was awsome,not super fast just flowing/sliding through every bend.
Now I was on fast stage high and the next stage(7) a 11 miler looked super fast.It sure was with long straights and fast flowing bends.Only problem was it was a slight up hill on most of the first part.So flat out in 3rd(85mph) was my max speed as 4th only did 75mph.I thought this is were Mike Moyer(CRS GT) is going to pull some time on us.He did but not by to much.Can you ask for better stage roads?? I did notice on route to transit the bonnet(hood) pin was loose.At service I fixed that and checked the car.Out of oil again! antother quart in the engine.
Stage 8 was a short 4 miler with lots of rocks,ruts and some jumps.I liked it! a bit like CA roads,so all seemed to go well apart from wacking so many rocks.
At the turn around Mike Moyer had hit a rock and broke off the centre drive shaft mount.After much frantic work he managed to do a nice rally repair with straps etc.We all had time to swap stories and wait to do the reverse of stage 8.On the this stage I seemed to be going well ,err a little to well as I took a jump a little to fast and hit something hard.
Back at service revealed the front section of the exhaust was flat and had a large hole in it! nothing I could do.I had another slight problem,no BRAKES! I had bad knock off on the stages so everytime I hit the brakes it would take several pumps to take up the slack.Just something I would have to live with as I had no spares.
So off to stage 10 the very fast 11 miler but now down hill! this was my favourite stage! At stage start the car went into 'check engine' mode and I had to bump start the engine to get into the time control.The engine seemed good at high RPM though.so what could do? but just thrash it!
we were going so fast(well for me) at one section we were doing over 100mph.Now all this speed was good,but not something I'd had before.So this came apparent when Jeff was calling the corners to late! so there we where barreling into a L5 at 80+ when he said L5 tightens off camber.OH sheeeet.I don't how we made it ,but we went into a huge slide,I mean HUGE! all I saw was the rocks/trees and thought bye bye car.Anyway I let it slow some then booted the gas and it seemed to pull straight.A little over correction on the steering and we were on our way! Phew that was a close one.We had a few more moments as I was still get back into it.
We finished and spent the transit laughing(nervous laugh?)about our near off.
Stage 11 was the same as Friday's stage 2 but in day light.So tight/twisty opening to fast and flowing with that tripple caution bridge.The engine still had some issuses but seemed OK.We got through with ony a few near misses.Back at service revealed the battery was dead.Lucky for me I had a spare one to run a flashlight! so Jeff swapped the battery while I checked the Aux air valve.Started the engine and all seemed fine!!!
Stages 12 and 13 were repeats of 10 and 11 but in the dark.We still hit nearly 100 on some sections but i did lift a little as I remembered our near off.Completed the stage about 30secs slower than in the day.Stage 13 was much the same,some caution and was 16 secs slower.I did see two bush men holding a an OK board(Mosers) after the tripple caution bridge,but apart from that nothing much to report.
So that was it another rally finished and the CRS GT championship in the bag! plus a 9th O/A and 2nd in class.
Was I pleased ? to right! back to service to hand in the time cards then off to the HQ.
I loaded my car and got ready for the post rally party???????
The awards breakfast was nice,I did have a speach sorted until Leon said "speak English" ,Leon you're banned from the awards!
This has been a really great rally season for me.The car has been fantastic,I've learnt so much about my driving style and done all that on a very small budget.This was my last rally for this year as I have other plans for the Laughlin weekend,plus after using 4 quarts of oil I think the engine needs a rebuilt!
So my advice to anyone thinking of getting into rallying is buy a good used rally car,prep it how you want and go out there and have some fun.It can be done on a very small budget.Ok a little luck does help.My driving style is consistant safe driving,avoiding any bad spots on the stage,even stopping to miss them(better to loose a few secs than the rally).From the start of the rally to the end I drive at the same pace.Just waiting for the fast guys to punture,go off etc.It seems to work for me.The Falkens?? no wear on them so looks like these tyres might last a year as well!
I did enjoy this rally and had some good battles with Mike Moyer/Nick Hudson.It sure was fun trying to keep up with them.
One more thing.I have done all year without much body damage until driving home,the mud guard fell off the tow dolley and bounced into the Legacy putting a rather large dent in the door! lucky for me there was no one following me.
Again thanks to everyone who made this happen.
Next year????? I might do some engine work on the car and move into open class?? but still no Turbo! anyway we'll see.
Cheers
Chris
Legacy #370
http://www.thawa.net/gallery/Rally370
