2006 Taranaki Tarmac Rally

Saturday dawned fine, with fog in the valley areas on the tour out, it looked like we might have some also on the stages. Seeded uyp at 38, we were looking for a top 15 finish this year, and to get a top 3 in class.

Stage one was a great stage. Typical Taranaki, fast and smoot, with some tight stuff thrown in for good measure. About 2km in the car felt down on power, not pulling out of the corners as it had last year. We put this down to the fact we were going quicker with the better brake package. On exciting the stage we found the drivers side of the engine to have noisy lifters. Yet to be determine what is worng, but we suspect if has damaged either a valve or lifter robbing us of a lot of HP.

Our only moments came in stages 4 and 10. On stage 4 we came over a 4R over crest 30 4L- a little to quick, sledged to the outside of the righthand corner and just missed the left ditch to flick around the left and off down the road. The lack of traction wasn't helped by the grass and dirt on the road from the red Camaro that had hit the bank a few cars beforehand.

On stage 10, on a 3R after a 450m straight I missed the brake and had a bit of a lock-up trying to get the car to stop once I found the brake pedal again.

The rest of the day went well, down in 26th at the end of stage 6, we climbed back up to 21st overall and 3rd in class. A great finish when you consider the car just wouldn't go up the hills on the afternoon stages, and in the fast stuff it wouldn't accelerate up to 200 very quickly.

Next event is Rotorua towards the end of May, were we will be looking for a overall class win.

Till next time.

Thx

Redhills Rallyesport
Redhills Benz - Mercedes Benz Parts Specialists