Targa Days 1 & 2

What a blur rallying becomes! It is 9:30 Tuesday night and I just finished my calculations for tomorrow's stages. We're in the Grand Touring Class which is run in a time/speed/distance rallying format based on calculations, timing and driving accuracy. So we are given an end time and average speed for each section. We then have to calculate various points along the section at which we will be passing an odometer point (I have an ODO in front of me on the dash) and at which exact second we need to pass that point with the goal of crossing the finish time at the optimum time. Sounds easy - challenging to do. Because Targa didn't release the times and speeds until we got our route books on Saturday, we have to calculate as we go. Some teams have a few people and programs and spreadsheets to help with the calculations. I use a time/speed/distance app on my phone, a calculator and a pencil. It makes me nutty! A necessary evil for the class we're in.

So the last two days:

Day 1 was LONG. In the car at 7am and out of the car at 7:30pm. We covered a lot of distance and some stages were delayed making for an exhausting day. Though, it was a gorgeous Newfoundland day and we had ZERO penalties. That made for waking up at 5 a little better.

Lined up at the first section on day 1. We had a little drizzle but the stage was very fun. 

Waiting to run in reverse a section called "Turks Gut." Marinus Damm enjoying the Newfie sun (http://dammralliers.com/).

I'm enjoying the sun, too!

Cod Au Gratin. Cod is the national food of Newfoundland! I really don't know if it is but it sure is a staple. The star of this homemade meal was the partidge berry cake with brown sugar sauce. I make sure to always try their desserts and they are always divine.

Day 2: Fueled with a McDonalds coffee and McMuffin, we were off! It was another beautifully sunny and warm-ish day. 

Cars before the roar of engines. Cars are staged in the Eastlink Events Centre in Clarenville. It's a hockey rink!

Transitting to our first stage of the day. It's always important to grab the route book for the right day. My cockpit.

The end of one rally stage was in Boat Harbour. It's an iconic fishing village. 

Boat Harbour

Crab baskets

That's the Newfoundland Labrador provincial flag under the Maple Leaf

The community of Harbour Mille gernerously served roast BEEF for lunch today and it got a thumbs us from us! *I really do love fish, too*

Add caption

Harbour Mille

Harbour Mille

We found Steve Strupp and Greg's next project in Terrenceville:

It was a lot of work to bring ashore.

Inspecting "Captain Jack's Bar and Grill" potential (the famed speed racer Jack Rogers)

My eyes are crossing - I better get some sleep. Hopefully a good update tomorrow!

Targa Newfoundland 2016 Begins

We've arrived on the Rock once again for Targa Newfoundland 2016. After a long day of travel, we arrived early Friday morning and were looking forward to picking up the Audi from Trans Can. After last year's Targa, the Audi went back to Ottawa for safe keeping and some tune ups from Rob Kleins at Robson Racing. She is in great shape and just how we remember her!

Holy moly - we're on the program cover! 

I met Dad at LAX from PHX and we then flew together to Toronto (in the pretty light above) then on to St. John's.

We are again in the Grand Touring Class. There is no "equiped" and "unequipped" this year - they are combined to one larger Grand Touring division. It was "unequipped" that we lucked out to win last year and it is fun to be in a larger, more competitive class this year.

Friday was a day of picking up the car, running errands, and getting situated. Yesterday was tech and we passed with no problems, receiving our official car number and sponsor decals.

Today was the prologue - a test day for everyone and a qualification for tomorrow's official start. It was good to work out the kinks after not being in this car for a year. All cars ran through 4 sections and it was much needed. After completely forgetting about my timers in the first section, I got back on track for the second. The community of Flat rock served us a traditional Newfie meal (mashed turnips, yay! *sarcasm*). But really, the food was delicious and the generosity of the towns we overtake is applaudable. These small villages are gracious hosts to close down their roads and towns for a day and put up with a bunch of car nuts.

Driver's meeting before prologue

The weather Friday and Saturday were sub-par but today made up for them. After wind and rain and chill, today's sunshine and warmth was much appreciated.

A traditional Newfie meal - roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, mashed turnips, peas & carrots.

A gorgeous day in Flatrock at the Community Center

A few minutes to soak up this beautiful sight in Bauline

Off on an early start in the morning with breathalizer at 6:15am. Then we rally our way off the St. John's peninsula and finishing tomorrow in Clarenville, our home until Friday.