Rally Minnesota

[Tachyon]

Last weekend was the inaugural running of Rally Minnesota. The rally was based out of Park Rapids MN, and featured a lot of the same flowing stages as OFR. There were 140 competitive miles over 2 days including some nearly 20 mile long stages! Weather was testing as it rained and high winds provided many challenges in service. It was our team’s first two day event, and our first even since blowing our engine to the moon last year.


http://www.rallyshark.com/wp-content/rally/rs1.jpg


The first day started slow with Derek (driver) and myself (co-driver) knocking the rust off our skills and getting use to driving the new engine setup in what was essentially goopy muck.


http://www.rallyshark.com/wp-content/rally/247619_10150269291678825_599048824_8802039_1555002 _n.jpg



Disaster struck early for us on day one as we experienced electrical failure (wiring harness compromised) and we started blowing master fuses every few KMs. Up until that point we were catching up to many of the cars that were seeded faster than us, so the new engine (Tuned at DB) was defiantly putting down some power.


http://www.rallyshark.com/wp-content/rally/228736_213191215378340_161967987167330_669373_4436 850_n.jpg


We worked into night fall and the next morning to track down and fix the issue with the wiring, and were all ready to go, just minutes before we needed to check into MTC for day two competition.


http://www.rallyshark.com/wp-content/rally/247796_10150269291733825_599048824_8802042_7386823 _n.jpg


As the rain stopped, and the roads began to dry out, we began to set some good stage times and were moving up in the standings, 1 car per stage. By the end of the rally we into a good rhythm –driving smooth and fast.


http://www.rallyshark.com/wp-content/rally/253032_752865715902_199110652_37814617_964354_n.jp g


We ended up finishing 3rd in class and 5th overall. Not a single issue with the car after the events of day one, and kept the shiny side up and ready for the next event!

http://www.rallyshark.com/wp-content/rally/229405_10150269292018825_599048824_8802054_5698174 _n.jpg

We'll be back at it at NT1, NT2 and OFR a little later, maybe LSPR depending on schedule. It would be fun to see some people out at OFR, it's always a good time :D

[98gstaherns]

thats awesome! nice work guys, Thats looks like a blast wish i was able to get into some rally racing! ha

[mlomker]

The car looks awesome.

[Halon]

Kick ass. Megasquirt is working good still it sounds like, awesome.

[Matt D.]

Awesome, glad to see you guys get some positive results.

[cmspaz]

Those ITBs look sick poking up in the hood scoop! Good work on the car this off season, even better work from the cockpit!

[Tachyon]

Thanks for the kind words guys! We've got nearly got the bugs worked out the platform (I'll update the build thread when I get some time), so the focus will be on improving as a race team (and there might be a much improved engine in the works for when the driver's ability eclipses this one :D ) Should be a fun year!

[311evo]

Looks awesome! I've always wanted to try Rally. Someday.

[goodhart]

Awesome. Y U NO post engine shots? :(

[MATCHBX]

Good job on the great finish! I wish I could've been there. We will be up at NT1 (Nemadji Trail 1) on June 18th in Duquette, MN. Sorry for the shameless plug ;)

Not to thread jack ya here. But like you said, NT1 is coming up. This is a really easy and laid back rally. It's located an hour and a half north of the cities and is a one day event (No hotel stay needed!!) I know they will need volunteers to help staff the race (which is the only way to see any cars in the woods at speed as there are no spectator points at this rally). If anyone wants to help out, I am looking for a couple of people to help out with course setup on the June 18th. We get to go out and hang all the banner tape in the woods before they run. It's REALLY easy at this event. Takes about an hour and a half to get it done (less if we get more people). Let me know if you want to help ro if you have any questions about the rally. Or questions about any of the rallys in MN.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread already in progress!!