Well, I actually did some pre event preperation this time, but just not enough to counter a rock hitting where I should of had a fuel tank guard.
SS1, how long is that. Things were going nicely building up some speed and momentum with a couple of loose spots cacthing out here and there but mostly really nice (if not a bit rougher than usual for Bega). Then at a TL at a spectator point I slid wide into a big muddy bank which apart from loosing time through the corner I didn't think much about except for the car suddenly developing a shake and lacking a bit of front end traction. Still not major so continued to push and enjoy the stage. At service, ripped wheel of but just appeared to be the fact that it was full of mud. Thanks to Haggers crew (Bean and Brendan) for doing it with my gear mostly burried in the car as I didn't bring a service crew this time. Bean also fixed a loose bolt that had come out of the timing cover and was rubbing on the fan belt. That may have become a bigger disaster. At end of 44km, I think Mick had us by 4 sec with less than about 30 or 40 back to Fro and Matt and not kuch more to Tony from Victoria. So 5 excels all within about a sec a km. It was going to be close.
SS2 went well and did nothing wrong but Fro managed to pull 10sec or so back on us and Mick loosing time after stopping to help someone. Some quick calculations out there giving Mick some time back and at that point we thought we had the lead by 2 seconds over Mick with Fro down to about 15 behind and closing fast. Time to drop the hammer and go for it.
SS3 with a quarter of a tank of fuel (heaps for a 13km stage - would normally do the 44km stage on that) and no backing of for anything must have been our undoing. We were cracking along well if not maybe a bit too agressively with some big slides into some corners, but it was fun. Then going up a hill about 2 to 3 km in the car starting cutting out. First thought was my old gremlin from a couple of years ago that had disappeared was back. Then I noticed the fuel gauge was hard on E and the fuel light on. Pulled over and looked under the car for a leak to find it dry. Took of and it is still playing up, especially uphill. Lucky last half of stage is mostly downhill and becomes really muddy so everyone else would be slowed down as well. Cruise out really slowly (about 2500rpm max to save fuel and hopefully get back to service) and luckily make it back. Go through what I can but it seems that sender unit and pick up etc inside tank must have taken a hit and been pushed up. Put 20 Litres in (about half a tank) and the gauge just moves to above empty (not good). Go searching for more fuel but with no luck and time runnig out. Make the decision to play it safe and drive up to servo and fill the car to the brim with fuel. Car also now steering buy throttle by changing side of road with accelarator and backing of the throttle to come back again . Make it back 5 min late and lose another 25 sec in penalties
so decide to try and drive a bit smoother to try and get a finish and battle the Cullens for third (as they had just had an off on the last stage).
SS4 was getting dark but wasn't properly dark. Lights didn't do much and I struggled to see. Wanted to stop and see if lights were on but kept pushing. As it got darker I began to see better (I think my eyes were more settled when there wasn't a bit of brightness still around - I guess welcome to the years of failing eye sight ) Stage was much more slippery than before, especially in some spots so was hard to get confidence. I don't know how safe I would have been if I tried to push it with Mick and Fro on that one. It must have been so diabolical later for the majority of excels and others that got rained and hailed on.
Was then told to have a 40min service before going back to Bega. Didn't accept that and got them to talk to the director and change it, which they obligingly did
. Had a good night back at the club, talking to many of the new excel Victorians that we hadn't met before.
Thanks to Kate for a great job naving and keeping me on track.
Thanks to Bean and Brendan for helping out at service.
Thanks to all for the great weekend and all those that play a part in organising these events and all the excel people that organise all the extra stuff we do and the extra prizes etc.
Great drive from Kornel and Layla in their 2nd event in the excel to come 6th excel out of 13 with standard suspension still. Some firmer springs and better shocks and you guys are going to be quick.
Great event. We definitely have the best thing in Motorsport.
Cool, in that case I'll just keep going if I clip them. Considere it noted for debut of large unwieldy rock chucker in 2010... 
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