(Dan’s photos are here) (Warwick’s photos here , and Event web site will have results and links) First I want to thank co-driver Hans for all the help prepping the car. After doing such dirty jobs as installing the power steering pump and bathing in PS fluid, he went on to navigate us to the smallest amount of points we have ever scored on a two day event. Well, it would have been the smallest score … 48 cars entered the event and all finished. I think that may be a first. Of those who went into a snow bank or ditch, all were extracted with little or no damage. Probably the most harrowing experience was had by the Sonnet and 240Z with windshield wiper problems that made proceeding in the blowing snow and then later mixed rain/snow more than a slight problem. Always good to think about those ancillary systems and how they can shut you down if not working properly. We left Seattle for Merritt, B.C. on Friday afternoon. With the car properly timed and running well, along with clear roads, the climb up and over the Coquihalla pass was uneventful. That would change in 24 hours. In Merritt we connected with event teammates in an ’01 Subaru WRX (Jeff & Marvin, winners of last year’s event, Unlimited, car#1), an ’83 Audi Quattro (Steve and Eric, Historic, #8) and an ’05 Subie Impreza (Steve and Kathryn, Paper, #17). To round out the team Jeff signed up a novice class car from BC, a 2011 Subaru STi (Scott and TJ, #38). Jokes about them sailing off the first curve proved unfounded. We were assigned #9 and were happy to be behind our friends in their loaner Audi. Dale (Subaru Forester). The four (or was it five?) way tie for third was decided in the same fashion. The team prize is still undecided, but we know that with the Audi’s mechanical and the Saab’s operator problems, Team Rainier is not a contender. And the Saab’s score? 303. We scored 3 points on Saturday and I scored 300 on Sunday. Those points are mine, all mine. The Thunderbird Rally is the premier BC event. We never know what the weather will throw at us, and that’s part of all the fun. Thanks to Paul and his crew for another primo rally.
