After a tough course rally, we were ready for the touring rally, the Barlow Trail. We finished 7th for day 3. We tied for 6th overall in the equipped class.
Feeling good about MRDs and traps after Day 1, Day 2 promised more of the same, but it introduced time and speed back into the mix. Our goal was simple, don’t max one leg. We’d be happy with that result. Although we maxed 6 of 21 controls, we zeroed 2 legs and got 2 on 2 legs, 3 on 2 legs and 4 on another.
We’d heard that running in the USRRC could be a humbling experience. But never mind that. With the rally series in Portland, OR this year, we signed up for all 3 days. The competition would be tough! The first day of the USRRC was a gimmick rally. We didn’t really know what to expect. Maybe it would be scavenger-style hunt? We’d heard that some gimmick rallies were trivia hunts where ralliers simply went to the library and researched the answers. But Ghouls Gone Wild turned out to be a complex trap rally, but without the time and speed elements. If you followed the course correctly, you’d answer the sign question correctly. If didn’t, you’d wouldn’t. The route carried us by landmarks associated with local rally community. We tied for 12th overall, just 5 points behind the winners.
We’ve passed the 24 hour mark and are into the serious countdown for the start. We’ll be meeting for team pictures just before that.
The joy, my new winter tires arrived yesterday. This is the second set sourced from Meadow Creek and they know their Nokian tires. Ordering was easy and delivery very quick. Even with expense of shipping they came in right at $90 per tire. But really, they’re a required piece of equipment and valuable at any price.
