Narooma Booma Rally

Result: Started Car 33 and finished 14th outright, 1st in Class N3.

Greg Lemmon (driver) & John Paul De Sousa (co-driver)

Results (78 on start list) 14th Overall, 5th in ACT, 4th P3 Overall, 2nd in P3 ACT, 1st 2WD Front, 1st in Class N3, Stage Time Placing: 32nd 29th 20th 18th 16th 11th 8th

We got seriously better as the day wore on - the night stages compensating for a poor SS1 and average SS2, SS3, SS4. This event was a continuation of our good form from 2001. The whole day represented a perfect run. No Driver error and no Nav error on the course. The car was singing especially as we pushed harder through the night stages. As we pushed further to the limit we realized we still had more improvement to make. We were pushing the car to higher revs near redline and better teamwork with the new helmet mike rig. Watch out for when we learn left foot braking. We came away from the day with only three regrets. First, incurring 2 mins Late Time (thanks Bernie !) while I was day dreaming at the delayed start, car line up, at SS1, hanging around at the start control desk chatting to other nav's on form and technique - this sort of indulgence doesn't pay. Second, almost starting Section 2 without checking in at the regroup control at the service park (many thanks to supremo Dudok for his graceful vigilence and yelling out to us before we really screwed up our transport to SS4). Three, not going harder in SS1. Stage descriptions: SS1 in the middle parts had yumps like Salt Lake mogulling on speed - losing count of the 7 consecutive bastards was not an option. SS2 was a shocker for rocky road. It was road vs the car - very tortuious. We passed at least 6 cars that were off - Car 14 taking the Oscar for the Best Off. Car performance from 3rd back to 2nd gear was sensational. SS3 the long stage felt great - much faster - we typically do better on the longer stages but still have to work at the concentration factor between the long calls. Apexing was getting much better. Start controller counted us down 3 secs over time - bastard. SS4 - we had to put up with the dust of Car 31 consistently making 30 secs per stage - could have made another 30 secs overall through the night stages with less dust (yeah yeah !) SS5 - the car was responding well to the extra work - took a huge sump guard slap from an unmarked hazard but c'est la vie SS6 - the sane controllie at the start counted us down 3 seconds late 2nd time in a row - maybe he hates Toyota SS7 - car kept getting better - everything about the day was consistent - no surprises - confidence getting high. Thanks to Henry - Service Guru. Also to the organisers, especially Joan (73 yo Event Secretary) who gave a mean "time tally" under pressure to give excellent progress information after Section 1 (SS1, 2 & 3). This event was a pleasure.

In car shots during transport after SS3 Greg & John Paul