HERE WE GO AGAIN...
author: Leon Botha
HERE WE GO AGAIN...
Despite all the in - and out-fighting behind the rally scenes, the Subaru Bruma Belfast Rally drew a good number of entries.
The Route Notes for the event was done this weekend and although I had to move my national rally calendar around to adapt to the regional situation, it was good to get started for the new year.
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Leon Marais in action
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The stages at the moment are difficult to judge as the grass is radiator-clogging long in all but the first stage. I do not mind that so much as you can remove the grass from the grille but the problem comes when you can not see what is hidden in the grass especially on corner edges?
On our final run through stage 4 today I saw a short tree stump waiting in the grass for the first time. I have to admit that I would have hit that bang-on if I participated as the small cut through the grass was actually a natural line and I would not have been able to resist. This stump would have ended the rally for at least one car after which the rest would have seen the problem. It is easy to say, “the Route-Noter should have marked it”, but it is as easy for me to say that it was not in the road and if you want to cut corners you should bear the consequences?
Does not work that way – which is why the making of Notes has never been a cheap and so far a profitable exercise! I hunt where I know most of you will drive and BOOM – sometimes discover objects that you can simply not see!
The Route director promised that the grass will be cut and the trees over the road removed, but one is unfortunately dependant in the landowners to do this. So, we will have to wait and see what the situation is on Saturday morning when I do the final run. What I can tell you is that you will probably have to do a number of changes before you start the rally, and I can also say that this rally is one that will bite you where it hurt most if you lose concentration. In places you can really go, although while making the notes through the long grass you tend to hold back, but this lures you into a false sense and when you get to the few bad spots, that tend to be well disguised, one wheel wrong will do it for you – in a negative way!
Here and there I called slightly conservative rather than take risks – but you have two runs over the stages – so you can always adjust slightly? Take care when you do this as you may discover that the conservative call was done because of some hidden trap?
Thanks to Tony and JB for guiding me through the route and pointing to some “landmines” along the way! Thanks guys you saved me lots of time and I have a feeling some money as well!
Those of you who did not participate in the first sprint will be a bit rusty and those of you who did will be well prepared as this is but a filly compared to the sprint!
Notes will be available at the start of the event – but we are considering other options.
Cost of the notes R495 payable into Rallystar Absa 4057147990 Brooklyn branch
Please use name and number as reference. No need for proof of payment if you do that.
Phone Alanie on 082 562 8289 or Stefanie 079 862 0193
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