The 2004 Wrap-Up
The 2004 season has come to a close for the SMS Rallysport team
and the events in our region/division are done for the season.
The SMS Rallysport team had another excellent year, although
it was a buliding year.
This year
marked their best overall finish in a rally (4th Overall at
Shooting Star). In addition, Stacy managed to capture 1st Place
in both the Land O'Lakes Region and Central Division Co-Driver's
Championships. Meanwhile, Dave managed to take 1st Place in the
Land O'Lakes Region Driver's Championship and 2nd Place in the
Central Division Driver's Championship.
The team has plans to improve the car in the off-season and will
be back and ready to go by the first event in May. We thank everyone
for their support and all of their help. We can't do this
without all of you.
Headwaters 2004 - A Big Adventure
Friday - Got up to Park Rapids all nice and leisurely. Got the car teched and went to chill
in the hot tub. Stacy and the rest of the crew showed up about 8:30 pm and we were up
talking with Mr. Utecht, Mr. Davenport, and Mr. Parrott ‘til about 1:30 am.
Saturday - Got up around 8 am and relaxed ‘til 9:30. Went out to put the new tires
on...and this is where it all started. Just bought new Falkens, but they don't fit
real well. The tires are a good 1.5" larger in diameter than the Michelins. So
we "massage" the fenders a little to make them fit. In addition, we raise the
back of the car 2 inches. This takes 3 hours. We eat lunch about 3 and then the
drivers meeting at 4. All is going well. We get in the car and head out to stage 1.
Stages 1 thru 3 - Car is very loose. Apparently the 2 inch raise in the back has
increased the spring rate such that the back is to stiff and the rear end is
sliding every which way. I don't LFB most of these stages as merely turning the
wheel inspires the ass end to step-out.
Service #1 - We come into service and I lower the car and take 2 psi out of the
rear tires. This should fix things. Stacy is not feeling well, but has not called
“Ralph” yet. Things are still ok.
Stages 4 thru 5 - Car is back to normal. Stages are nice mixture of fast and
technical. However, the damage is done. Stacy calls Ralph on both stages. We
roll to service #2 with her feeling that she cannot continue.
Service #2 - Stacy and I roll in and ask if I can substitute co-drivers and
not collect points, but just finish the race for the seat time. Event steward
says NO-GO as Stacy and I are the only ones recognized on the insurance in that
car. Ok. Mark Utecht comes up and mentions that we have three options. 1)Quit, 2)
Finish with Stacy tossing cookies, 3)Stacy drives. So I ask Stacy if she'd
like to finish the rally driving. Surprisingly it didn't take much convincing. We
take off for Stages 6-8.
Stages 6 thru 8 - Stacy does an awesome job. She's getting more used to the car
and shifting. A couple kinda close calls, but she plants the accelerator to the
floor and pulls us out. I'm busy trying to read the route book, computer, give
driving tips, read the tree-line, and watch gauges all at the same time. I get
lost in the route book 3 times on one stage. Damn I suck!
Service #3 - We roll in and everyone is happy we're alive. I jump out and have to
visit the Whiz Castle. I hop back in the car and we're off.
Stages 9 & 10 - Fun and fast stages. Stacy is getting quicker as I read the
tree-line and tell her to accelerate. Stage 9 we get to the "Delta" and get stuck
at the bottom. All we saw was banner tape going into it. But Stacy keeps her head
and manages to get us un-stuck rather quickly. She rocks! We finish the stage and
head to 10. Stage 10 is fast and flowing. I'm wishing I could drive it, but Stacy
is having fun and doing well. We keep it on the road and finish the rally a
respectable 22nd overall and 6th in class. Not bad!
So, in conclusion...
Stacy went above and beyond the call of a co-driver and wife! She is awesome and
I am so impressed that she decided to drive rather than pack it in. This is a
testament to her true rally spirit. If anyone get's the POR award for Headwaters,
it's her. In summary, she jumped into a race car and finished a rally after having
only driven a stick once or twice before and having never driven a rally car. Pretty
damn good.
