Rally Updates 2008
Currently, all is well here in the radio room. The stages are being set-up and things are running quite well.-ne 1:47pm
Car 0 has started Stage 1 of the 2008 Sno*Drift Rally. With the first competitor car (#4 - T. Foust, C. Beavis) scheduled to start at 2:44. -ne 2:25pm
Sno*Drift Rally 2008 has officially started, 41 cars are expected to start, how many will finish? -ne 2:44pm
Car #4 has completed Stage 1 @ 2:51 -ne 2:54pm
Sorry folks, got a little busy here in Net Control..... So to bring all you good folks up to date, Stage 1 was very exciting. Car #2 (A. Pinker, R. Durant) went off about 3.6miles in, possibly mechanical trouble.. Very soon after that a local favorite was reported off, #52 (D. Shepard, K. Wagner), however about 6min after that, the report came in he had pulled it out in traditional rally style and finished the stage. -ne 4:05pm
A bit of news from Stage 2 - Car #686 (H. Nunnemacher, H. Nunnemacher) went off, got a pull and traveled out under their own power, their run today is over now. Then there were 39 cars still in it. -ne 4:34pm
Then there were 38. Car #226 (J. Shoup, D. Gidcumb) about 1.5miles into Stage 3 impacted a tree w/ their Matrix {my personal fav. car today-ed} everyone's OK and hopefully the car is not too badly bent. -ne 4:58pm
Car #491 (J. Stevens, M. Stevens) near the end of Stage 3 had gone off, but did finish the stage ahead of sweep. They get to keep going. -ne 5:06pm
Well it's time for a bit of a break, Stage 3 has been completed and the service crews have begun their work. We've still got 38 tough competitors, and we're sure they're real close at the top. -ne 5:12pm
With 38 cars in and 38 cars out, I guess it was a good service. Great Job! to all the service crews, and good luck to the competitors. -ne 6:34pm
Stage 4 must have been a bit hairy, with #690 (K. Bartram, D. Hotson) being reported off, then getting back underway. Also reported off was #14 (A. BeberVanzo, A. Volger), when word came here from the finish however, 38 cars had finished the stage. -ne 7:28pm
{There is some talk here that the competitors are showing great sportsmanship, the true spirit of rally, in helping each other out of the Sno!-ed}
Another competitor had the ole in-out experience on Stage 5, around 7:47pm the word came in that #24 (T. Moberly, R. Greek) was off, again about 7min later we heard they were back on the road. -ne 8:00pm
Again 38 cars managed to make it through the Ranch (Stage 5) with only a little trouble. A note arrived here at Net Control that Green Light (A. Berger) managed to go off the road {Imagine that! -ed} before too long however they had called us personally to let us know that they were fine and underway. -ne 8:30pm
From here in the warmth you'd never guess but Stage 6 was reported to be very slippy, mostly in the spectator area marked B. (Halberg/Hunt) Word has it that even car #0 (D. Coughnour, D. Coughnour) was putting on a good show. -ne 8:35pm
Stage 6 did take its toll however, #646 (E. Zenz, D. Parps) managed to break a rotor, those Nokian tyres must have tons of grip. -ne 8:45pm
The results of the rally are posted on the Rally America site, here's what we know: 41 cars started, 37 finished, after lots of excitement, and plenty of Sno it was a very good day. . . Well that's about all we have for you tonight from here at the wonderful A-Win-Sands motel. Take care, sleep tight, and we'll be right back here tomorrow bright and early. It's time for that Two Hearted Ale to get out of the ice bucket, and some ice to go with the Jameson. -ne 9:25pm
Here at Net Control we would like to apologize for the delay in the updates this morning, there has been a small amount of trouble with the dial-up connection. We will get you some information on the status so far. Lets just say that it has been a stellar morning with the first 4 stages going very smoothly. -ne 11:29am
There were only two little bits this morning to mention... #494 (R. Pakos, M. Sawicki) seemed to have a bit of trouble on Stage 9, taking their sweet time through the corner on Growler Club Rd. They did make it to the Start of 10 with no trouble however and are right back in line. -ne 11:35am
While there's a moment I'd like to bring you an update on #646. After leading the regional competition they managed to break a rear rotor on their Mazda 323 gtx, that piece of the rotor managed to work its way into the spokes of the wheel. Erik figured there was a problem after the car just wanted to turn right... That's the way the flakes fall folks.... -ne 11:47am
As usual the Lunch Wagon was eagerly anticipated out there on the stages as the crews perform the first service today. Thanks for the help everyone, and enjoy the egg sandwiches, although someone who likes tuna can come get two here. It was also reported that RA retains all rights to still images, moving images, and any re-broadcast of official 2008 Lunches and all intellectual property thereof. -ne 12:13pm
Some more news from Stage 10: It seems that #43 (K. Block, A. Gelsomino) managed to get good and stuck around 5miles in. That puts them back around 10min total and into 8th place. -ne 12:18pm
It looks like a wonderful afternoon out there! After starting the first 10 stages on time with not a hitch, we're right back after lunch. -ne 1:23pm
Car #199 (T. Pastrana, C. Edstrom) started Stage 11 on time at 1:32pm. -ne 1:34pm
They finished hot at approximately 1:39pm. -ne 1:40pm
This year's Sno*Drift is running exceptionally well from this view. Moments after #199 (T. Pastrana, C. Edstrom) finished Stage 12, Car #494 (R. Pakos, M. Sawicki) was started into Stage 11. We here at Net Control would especially like to thank all the workers for the amazing job so far today. -ne 2:14pm
If you're gonna get stuck at Sno*Drift, car #494 (R. Pakos, M. Sawicki) knows how to do it. Word is that somewhere deep in the wilds off Huff Rd some Marshalls/Spectators got a bit of a workout. Great job folks, looks like that stage was no trouble. Just took a little help from our friends. -ne 2:24pm
Looks like that fresh powder that fell this morning has done its job on the roads, seems about halfway into Stage 12 #4 (T. Foust, C. Beavis) got themselves into to a bit of the white stuff. They did get back out and finished the stage, they'll keep pressing on. -ne 2:32
Uh, Oh! Stage 12 and that fresh powder are really taking a toll. Around mile 4 #52 (D. Shepard, K. Wagner) rolled it. Again in true Rally Style Doug got back out on the road and completed the stage. Another note has come in that Stage 12 is the wicked one this afternoon tricking #536 (M. Marker, K. Cassle); they were introduced to sweep, but managed to stay ahead of Med. Sweep so they get to keep going. -ne 2:50pm
At the start of Stage 13 car #80 (J. Kemp, R. Hendrickson) decided things were just a bit too slick, they have respectfully declined to continue the day. -ne 2:53pm
So after 12 complete stages of the 2008 Sno*Drift rally we have 36 starting the day, one has withdrawn due to mechanical trouble, leaving 35 serious competitors. -ne 3:07pm
Ahh... the Sno is starting to get the best of a few competitors, Stage 13 took out #102 (G. Georgakopoulos, F. Mays) at about 1 mile in, they did have a quick meeting with sweep, were traveling ahead of Med. Sweep and got out clean. Also getting an introduction to the sweep team was car #494 (R. Pakos, M. Sawicki) but they also got out ahead of Med. Sweep, and finished the stage. -ne 3:50pm
Another casualty on Stage 13 was the clutch and 1st gear of car #536 (M. Marker, K. Cassle) who got a bit too high centered and had to be visited by the sweep fairy; they did want to thank their sponsors and are having a great time. With the ground effect lighting they're definitely an eccentric rally team, and good looking. Good Luck! -ne 4:15pm
Stage 14 went splendidly and the news on the street is that the spectator area is completely full, that's right SRO ;) .... Wow! time to get ready for Stage 15 (scheduled to start on time at 5:14pm), this should be a really good show! Hope you're ready folks, time for the driving lights! -ne 4:25pm
With 35 cars still going strong, or ish in some cases, of 36 started we've had a great day of rallying and there's much more to come as we get closer to Stage 17 and Crazy. -ne 4:38pm
Due to unruly and uncooperative local snowmobilers Stage 15 was closed at 5:19pm and run as a transit. Each car was released 1min apart, and they travel the stage rather slowly so everyone will get a good look at the cars and the sponsor decals, but the show really won't be all that spectacular. Although rumor has it some showing off did occur and was appreciated. -ne 5:30pm
Well it looks like we've lost two more competitors to the trial by snow that is Sno*Drift Rally, that leaves 33 to continue. Definitely a grueling evening is in store... (although it may not involve driving)... -ne 5:56pm
Some breaking news from Stage 16, somewhere between 1/2 to 1 mile into the stage, Car #199 (T. Pastrana, C. Edstrom) had an altercation with local fauna. Those whitetails can be quite a chore. Everyone is OK, however at this time the car was reported to be not moving. -ne 6:22pm
Some more news from Stage 16, after a bit of a rest break {in a snow bank-ed}, car #444 (J. Moyle, M. Yarroch) got back out on the road and finished the stage on their own and were just in front of the back of the pack. -ne 6:48pm
More news on the really well dressed car #536 (M. Marker, K. Cassie) is definitely pressing on with only two gears left, and not quite all four cylinders. -ne 6:50pm
Also in from Stage 16; Heavy Sweep is towing car #199 (T. Pastrana, C. Edstrom) out to the end of the stage for the SRT Crew to pickup. That's a heartbreaking way for their rally to end. -ne 7:00pm
This is it for the Rally Updates from Net Control. It was definitely an exciting event, and many thanks go out to all the volunteers and workers. Great Job today everyone and we'll see ya down in Hillman. I personally would like to thank all the organizers for the support and the easy job this year. I'm sure Barb will have much harder work for me next year. -ne 7:16pm
(32 cars started stage 17 out of 41 starting stage 1 yesterday)
Have fun, be safe, Press On Regardless!
N. Enright
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