Arkansaw Sunset Club RallySprint 2001
Posted 02-22-2008 at 04:37 AM by Dave532
Arkansaw Sunset Club RallySprint
7/14/01
Arkansaw, WI
The true start of my "Rally Career". On May 12 this year I had attempted to start my first ClubRally in Park Rapids, MN at the Headwaters ClubRally...only to DNS (Did Not Start) due to a failed RR brake line on the way to the first stage.
Arkansaw, WI is approximately a 1 hour tow from Minneapolis. My brother agreed to navigate for me again even though it is not required at this event. A Rally Sprint is essentially one stage run 3-4 times. Though the smallest rally I would ever compete in, it is an outstanding way to break-in the car and crew. The stage was located on a large section of private land that also doubled as a motorcross/enduro park.
Though it was a bit hot, it was a beautiful day for the event. Enough wind kept the majority of the dust down. The stage ended up being about 4 miles long with a very narrow hill that offered a vertical wall on one side and a 60 ft drop-off on the other. It was so bumpy in this section my KYB dampers would overheat and the car would simply bounce toward the end of the section. With Bob keeping his eye on the gauges we started our first stage. The grip with the Michelin tires was amazing and the car handled better than I thought it would. What a thrill! Three-dimensional racing with varying surfaces. And opportunity to catch air! What more could a gearhead want? Taking it easier through the downhill section we found we were gaining time throughout the day. We eventually ran the stage four times, reversing direction each time, to complete the event.
At the end of the day we finished 1st in class, 2nd overall (to a Galant VR4). I was very satisfied with the performance and reliability of the car. Made some new friends and gained some confidence. Bob took his position very seriously and monitored the car and the event very well. His most interesting comment was "I can't believe how late we can brake in this car in the dirt!"
Upon returning to my garage we found only minimal maintenance was required. A tire rotation, brake fluid flush and oil change later, we were ready for our next event; Ojibwe Forest Pro Rally in August.
Finished: 1st in class, 2nd Overall
-Dave
#532
7/14/01
Arkansaw, WI
The true start of my "Rally Career". On May 12 this year I had attempted to start my first ClubRally in Park Rapids, MN at the Headwaters ClubRally...only to DNS (Did Not Start) due to a failed RR brake line on the way to the first stage.
Arkansaw, WI is approximately a 1 hour tow from Minneapolis. My brother agreed to navigate for me again even though it is not required at this event. A Rally Sprint is essentially one stage run 3-4 times. Though the smallest rally I would ever compete in, it is an outstanding way to break-in the car and crew. The stage was located on a large section of private land that also doubled as a motorcross/enduro park.
Though it was a bit hot, it was a beautiful day for the event. Enough wind kept the majority of the dust down. The stage ended up being about 4 miles long with a very narrow hill that offered a vertical wall on one side and a 60 ft drop-off on the other. It was so bumpy in this section my KYB dampers would overheat and the car would simply bounce toward the end of the section. With Bob keeping his eye on the gauges we started our first stage. The grip with the Michelin tires was amazing and the car handled better than I thought it would. What a thrill! Three-dimensional racing with varying surfaces. And opportunity to catch air! What more could a gearhead want? Taking it easier through the downhill section we found we were gaining time throughout the day. We eventually ran the stage four times, reversing direction each time, to complete the event.
At the end of the day we finished 1st in class, 2nd overall (to a Galant VR4). I was very satisfied with the performance and reliability of the car. Made some new friends and gained some confidence. Bob took his position very seriously and monitored the car and the event very well. His most interesting comment was "I can't believe how late we can brake in this car in the dirt!"
Upon returning to my garage we found only minimal maintenance was required. A tire rotation, brake fluid flush and oil change later, we were ready for our next event; Ojibwe Forest Pro Rally in August.
Finished: 1st in class, 2nd Overall
-Dave
#532
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