Sno Drift Pro Rally 2002
Posted 02-29-2008 at 06:32 PM by Dave532
Sno Drift Pro Rally
Jan 19-20, 2002
Atlanta, MI
The New Season:
The Car: Improvements to the car were minimal. Due to the severe launches rally cars endure at the start of a stage, I upgraded the clutch to an ACT 2600. (still using the same clutch to this day). Also added an A/F gauge just to make sure we never ran too lean. I repositioned the driver's seat a bit better to avoid the roll cage (my head still leans to the right while driving), and invested in new headsets (The Terratrips are notoriously flakey) for the intercom. Due to safety rule changes, I was forced to add a diagnol bar to the roll cage between the halo and rear strut tower. I also purchased a set of 15" Mitsu steel wheels and 195/75/15 Blizzaks to complete the "Snow Rally package". Also new SSCA rules were in place that made my car ineligible to compete in Pro Rallies due to its age...Club Rally was the only option.
The Crew: I was willing to invest any and all resources to be able to complete a full season as was my brother (co-driver) and father (service). My goals were the Regional Championship (MN, WI, ND, Divisonal Championship (ND, SD, MN, WI, IA, MI, MO, IL) and maybe even the National Club Rally Championship.
Pre-Race: On the way to Atlanta, MI, I stopped and visited my uncle for a short week near Detroit. He and his son agreed to follow us to the rally and help us out/cheer us on. I was nursing a sprained wrist and a lingering sinus infection and wasn't in the best shape...so any help at all was welcome.
Thursday: We settled into Lewiston, MI at the Lewiston Hotel...a great hotel for the area with tasty burgers. We registered in Atlanta, MI made the normal last minute checks on the car...considering it was around 30 degrees.
Friday: Due to our limited success, we have moved from Seed 7 to Seed 5. This significantly helps our postion as the road condition is better the earlier you start. There is not as much snow as we hoped...in fact it is primarily ice. I will not be able to 'bounce' the car off the snowbanks on corner exit...for the simple reason there are no snowbanks! Keeping the (extra soft) winter tires on the wheels and full of air will be the critical component of doing well at this rally.
Stage 1: Starting in the afternoon the first stage was frustrating in that it felt I was soooo slow. I kept trying to push the car but the grip was not there. I was sure we were going to be passed and end up as the last finishers.
Stage 2: We pass a car onstage...with authority. I'm starting to gain confidence on the Blizzaks and learning how to read these winter roads better. Bob is doing an outstanding job calling the corners.
Stage 3: We pass another 2 cars...most likely because they went off at some point. My wrist only bothers me on transits so we are doing good. My new plan...just stay on the road!
Service: When I first drove into service I was very disheartened...I thought everbody had already left because the paddock area was almost empty. Bob runs down to Headquarters to check our stage times while I look over the car. Upon returning, Bob explains we are actually doing very well and most of the cars are still on stage. This amazed me but was also inspiring. I wonder how good we can do?
Stage 4: A very long and rough stage but rewarding. Passed numerous cars...stuck and otherwise. It is easy to get stuck at this rally but the car damage is usually minimal.
Stage 5: Another decent stage with some fun chicanes...numerous spectators...with temps around 34 degrees? More power to them. They appeared to be having fun.
Service: Car appears fine and we are still on the overall podium. So far, so good. We mount the lights.
Stage 6: We adjust the lights before the stage. Night has fallen and the roads are even more slippy...we take care and finish the stage.
Stage 7: A repeat of stage 4. A brutal stage at night due to the tunnel of trees, slippy conditions and so much debris kicked up from other cars. Bob swears we go faster at night.
Saturday night: We finish the rally late into the night. Our second PGT win and overall podium! No time to celebrate as tomorrow's rally starts at 8:00 AM. Some outstanding Lewiston Hotel burgers and we retire for the night after a long but satisfying day.
Sunday: We wake up early, grab some breakfast, top off the fluids and rotate the tires.
Stage 1: Ridiculously slippy! I can't believe we finish the stage. I complain to the timekeeper that I have to be slowest car so far...he shakes his and exclaims "Not even close".
Stage 2: More snow and ice...some really fast sections here. I am getting up to 80 mph down the straight while the car is still sliding off the crown of the road!
Stage 3: The spectators are out in droves....on snowmobiles and barbecuing. A really enjoyable stage. I come over a rise and look down upon a beautiful set of corners with full visibility. I set myself up for the first corner and rhythm through each one until the end of the section when I bounce off a snow bank too hard and nose into the opposite bank. I cannot afford to get stuck so I keep the right pedal down and fly over the bank...leaving the bottom of the front bumper cover behind. No other ill effects and we keep at it.
Service: While we are looking over the car, some spectators approach the car and compliment us on how good we are looking out there...keep it up!
We all have lunch my relatives and just relax (in heat).
Stage 4: The temperatures are starting to warm up...instead of snow or ice it feels like we are driving on bacon grease. There is a bit more grip there but it can bite you quick. More cars off.
Stage 5: Really settling into a rhythm now...integrating the stuff I know (rev-matching, left foot braking, etc) with listening to Bob's calls and sliding the car more than I should be able to...it's becoming truly instinctive.
Stage 6: Bob becomes a little distracted when he sees snowmobiles trying to match our pace on the stage
...I explain to him whether or not I hit them is entirely my responsibility...just concentrate on the notes! 
Service: Our last service of the weekend. Multiple teams are having tire issues. I borrow a control arm to one DSM team. They are running on 2 street radials and 2 snow tires...it's all they have left. I betcha I could sell Blizzaks for $500/piece that day. We mount the lights and count our blessings.
Stage 7: Night comes down and we lose what little grip we had. We concentrate on finishing. If we maintain our pace we should finish as well as we did last night.
Stage 8: Last stage...a short one and back to the pizza party after a very long 12 hour day.
Saturday finish: Though I am absolutely drained, I am still excited to stand on the podium. We finish 1st in class and 3rd overall again. Once my belly is full of pizza...it's time to get back to the Lewiston Hotel and celebrate with my relatives and some other racers! We all agreed the best thing about Sno Drift was no dust!
Friday: 1st in Class, 3rd Overall
Saturday: 1st in Class, 3rd Overall
An interesting note. While leaving Atlanta, MI, my uncle's S-10 blew the motor. We had to put his truck on my trailer while I had to drive the mud, snow and ice-caked rally car 175 miles back to Detroit while we trailered his wounded truck. THAT was not fun...I was looking forward to not having to drive this uncomfotable, smelly and noisy DSM for a while. Not to mention I got quite a few looks...luckily none from law enforcement.
Disclaimer: The exact order and/or number of stages may not be entirely accurate as I am generating this recap entirely from memory. I am conferring my strongest memories from each event. Everything recorded is true...just not necessarily in the correct order
Jan 19-20, 2002
Atlanta, MI
The New Season:
The Car: Improvements to the car were minimal. Due to the severe launches rally cars endure at the start of a stage, I upgraded the clutch to an ACT 2600. (still using the same clutch to this day). Also added an A/F gauge just to make sure we never ran too lean. I repositioned the driver's seat a bit better to avoid the roll cage (my head still leans to the right while driving), and invested in new headsets (The Terratrips are notoriously flakey) for the intercom. Due to safety rule changes, I was forced to add a diagnol bar to the roll cage between the halo and rear strut tower. I also purchased a set of 15" Mitsu steel wheels and 195/75/15 Blizzaks to complete the "Snow Rally package". Also new SSCA rules were in place that made my car ineligible to compete in Pro Rallies due to its age...Club Rally was the only option.
The Crew: I was willing to invest any and all resources to be able to complete a full season as was my brother (co-driver) and father (service). My goals were the Regional Championship (MN, WI, ND, Divisonal Championship (ND, SD, MN, WI, IA, MI, MO, IL) and maybe even the National Club Rally Championship.
Pre-Race: On the way to Atlanta, MI, I stopped and visited my uncle for a short week near Detroit. He and his son agreed to follow us to the rally and help us out/cheer us on. I was nursing a sprained wrist and a lingering sinus infection and wasn't in the best shape...so any help at all was welcome.
Thursday: We settled into Lewiston, MI at the Lewiston Hotel...a great hotel for the area with tasty burgers. We registered in Atlanta, MI made the normal last minute checks on the car...considering it was around 30 degrees.
Friday: Due to our limited success, we have moved from Seed 7 to Seed 5. This significantly helps our postion as the road condition is better the earlier you start. There is not as much snow as we hoped...in fact it is primarily ice. I will not be able to 'bounce' the car off the snowbanks on corner exit...for the simple reason there are no snowbanks! Keeping the (extra soft) winter tires on the wheels and full of air will be the critical component of doing well at this rally.
Stage 1: Starting in the afternoon the first stage was frustrating in that it felt I was soooo slow. I kept trying to push the car but the grip was not there. I was sure we were going to be passed and end up as the last finishers.
Stage 2: We pass a car onstage...with authority. I'm starting to gain confidence on the Blizzaks and learning how to read these winter roads better. Bob is doing an outstanding job calling the corners.
Stage 3: We pass another 2 cars...most likely because they went off at some point. My wrist only bothers me on transits so we are doing good. My new plan...just stay on the road!
Service: When I first drove into service I was very disheartened...I thought everbody had already left because the paddock area was almost empty. Bob runs down to Headquarters to check our stage times while I look over the car. Upon returning, Bob explains we are actually doing very well and most of the cars are still on stage. This amazed me but was also inspiring. I wonder how good we can do?
Stage 4: A very long and rough stage but rewarding. Passed numerous cars...stuck and otherwise. It is easy to get stuck at this rally but the car damage is usually minimal.
Stage 5: Another decent stage with some fun chicanes...numerous spectators...with temps around 34 degrees? More power to them. They appeared to be having fun.
Service: Car appears fine and we are still on the overall podium. So far, so good. We mount the lights.
Stage 6: We adjust the lights before the stage. Night has fallen and the roads are even more slippy...we take care and finish the stage.
Stage 7: A repeat of stage 4. A brutal stage at night due to the tunnel of trees, slippy conditions and so much debris kicked up from other cars. Bob swears we go faster at night.
Saturday night: We finish the rally late into the night. Our second PGT win and overall podium! No time to celebrate as tomorrow's rally starts at 8:00 AM. Some outstanding Lewiston Hotel burgers and we retire for the night after a long but satisfying day.
Sunday: We wake up early, grab some breakfast, top off the fluids and rotate the tires.
Stage 1: Ridiculously slippy! I can't believe we finish the stage. I complain to the timekeeper that I have to be slowest car so far...he shakes his and exclaims "Not even close".
Stage 2: More snow and ice...some really fast sections here. I am getting up to 80 mph down the straight while the car is still sliding off the crown of the road!
Stage 3: The spectators are out in droves....on snowmobiles and barbecuing. A really enjoyable stage. I come over a rise and look down upon a beautiful set of corners with full visibility. I set myself up for the first corner and rhythm through each one until the end of the section when I bounce off a snow bank too hard and nose into the opposite bank. I cannot afford to get stuck so I keep the right pedal down and fly over the bank...leaving the bottom of the front bumper cover behind. No other ill effects and we keep at it.
Service: While we are looking over the car, some spectators approach the car and compliment us on how good we are looking out there...keep it up!
We all have lunch my relatives and just relax (in heat).
Stage 4: The temperatures are starting to warm up...instead of snow or ice it feels like we are driving on bacon grease. There is a bit more grip there but it can bite you quick. More cars off.
Stage 5: Really settling into a rhythm now...integrating the stuff I know (rev-matching, left foot braking, etc) with listening to Bob's calls and sliding the car more than I should be able to...it's becoming truly instinctive.
Stage 6: Bob becomes a little distracted when he sees snowmobiles trying to match our pace on the stage
...I explain to him whether or not I hit them is entirely my responsibility...just concentrate on the notes! Service: Our last service of the weekend. Multiple teams are having tire issues. I borrow a control arm to one DSM team. They are running on 2 street radials and 2 snow tires...it's all they have left. I betcha I could sell Blizzaks for $500/piece that day. We mount the lights and count our blessings.
Stage 7: Night comes down and we lose what little grip we had. We concentrate on finishing. If we maintain our pace we should finish as well as we did last night.
Stage 8: Last stage...a short one and back to the pizza party after a very long 12 hour day.
Saturday finish: Though I am absolutely drained, I am still excited to stand on the podium. We finish 1st in class and 3rd overall again. Once my belly is full of pizza...it's time to get back to the Lewiston Hotel and celebrate with my relatives and some other racers! We all agreed the best thing about Sno Drift was no dust!
Friday: 1st in Class, 3rd Overall
Saturday: 1st in Class, 3rd Overall
An interesting note. While leaving Atlanta, MI, my uncle's S-10 blew the motor. We had to put his truck on my trailer while I had to drive the mud, snow and ice-caked rally car 175 miles back to Detroit while we trailered his wounded truck. THAT was not fun...I was looking forward to not having to drive this uncomfotable, smelly and noisy DSM for a while. Not to mention I got quite a few looks...luckily none from law enforcement.
Disclaimer: The exact order and/or number of stages may not be entirely accurate as I am generating this recap entirely from memory. I am conferring my strongest memories from each event. Everything recorded is true...just not necessarily in the correct order
Total Comments 3
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Oh man that must have been amazing on the snow. AWD ftw!
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Posted 02-29-2008 at 07:23 PM by crimsondragon
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Great story! Sounds like fun.
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Posted 03-06-2008 at 01:22 PM by turboAWDfanatic
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Thanks guys...they are some of my greatest memories. When eveything is going right, nothing is more fun than legally driving as fast as you possibly can...when things go wrong, it's not so fun...as you'll see if you read my next blog.
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Posted 03-06-2008 at 10:16 PM by Dave532
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