TorontoTim Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 (edited) All, After the long summer lay-off, the final rounds here in Ontario come thick and fast. Round 8 of 9 was this past weekend, just two weeks after round 7. With the scores sitting interestingly poised before the start, we knew we could wrap up the championship with one round still to go IF we were able to finish in the top three and ahead of our direct championship rivals. The Open Road Rally took place about 4.5 hours east of Toronto, close to Ottawa and around the Lanark Highlands area. Due to the distance and a start time of 11.30am, we elected to drive up on Friday afternoon - through some disconcerting snow (in NOVEMBER!!!) and into weather that would be a few degrees below zero overnight. However, the car started ok on a very crisp and sunny Saturday morning (once I'd been able to get the frozen doors open). Anyway, long story short(ish), this rally was all about the roads and driving. Navigation was quite easy compared to most but we knew there would be a number of VERY tight sections through the highlands on twisty, gravel roads (wet and/or icy maybe) with many blind crests to slow us down. As usual, the TR4 dealt well with everything that was thrown at it. In fact, down the very tightest section, although we started off well behind the set average speed (64 km/h; 40+ mph), after a few kilometers my navigator was saying "ok, you're 5 seconds ahead of where we need to be......6 seconds.....7 seconds ahead...." I was happy with this as I knew that the road could tighten up further at any moment. However................... It never really got the better of us and (of course) I arrived at the next secret check point early. Picked up an early penalty of 6 seconds. Actually I was quite proud of this at the time. The came the results... Over the 4.5 hours of the rally, both us and our main competitors picked up total penaties of 42 seconds. Tied for first place in the Novice class! Ah, but the tie-breaker: who scored the greater number of "zeros" at check points? TR4: 4 zeros, Mazda: 5 zeros. Bugger. If I had just been a little bit slower on that tightest section......... So, we now go to the final round on December 4th leading by 1 point. If we beat the Mazda/Ottawa guys, we are champions. If they beat us by one place, we share the championship. If they beat us by more than one place, they will overtake us at the line. It's been a good rivalry so far and we have a great deal of affection for each other and uch mutual respect. Whoever wins, we will be happy with the season. But we'll be even happier if it's US that win in a 49-year-old car!!!!!!!!!!!! Edited November 8, 2010 by TorontoTim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 8, 2010 Report Share Posted November 8, 2010 Excellent Tim. We wait with baited breath and fingers crossed for you. Stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Nigel 628 Posted November 9, 2010 Report Share Posted November 9, 2010 You know who we will be willing to win...go for it, Tim! Best of luck on Dec 4th. Nigel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4Tony Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 Good luck Tim ..... Im sure it will be a good end to the season if you bth finish well. All the best Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tr4Tony Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 Good luck Tim ..... Im sure it will be a good end to the season if you both finish well. Keep it between the ditches. All the best Tony Quote Link to post Share on other sites
kevin bryant Posted November 10, 2010 Report Share Posted November 10, 2010 Love reading the updates Tim. Good luck, we'll have our fingers crossed for you. Best regards kev Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Don Elliott Posted November 11, 2010 Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 Tim - Which part of Ontario will this up-coming rally pass through ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TorontoTim Posted November 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 11, 2010 Tim - Which part of Ontario will this up-coming rally pass through ? Hi Don, It starts in Georgetown, west of Toronto, and I would think it would head north. But I'll see if I can find out a bit more than that (rally planners are not very forthcoming with their routes ahead of time). Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TorontoTim Posted November 15, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 And the TR is taking centre stage in the promotional flyers for the final rally of the season... http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx157/umbradog/?action=view¤t=FirstFrostFlyer.jpg Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 And the TR is taking centre stage in the promotional flyers for the final rally of the season... http://s751.photobucket.com/albums/xx157/umbradog/?action=view¤t=FirstFrostFlyer.jpg Nice one Tim Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quicksilver Posted November 15, 2010 Report Share Posted November 15, 2010 Looks Great. No navigator? Gr Marcel. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TorontoTim Posted November 16, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2010 No navigator? Well, you know how it is: they go on and on...turn left here, turn right there..... Ok, truth is he took the photo ;-) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quicksilver Posted November 16, 2010 Report Share Posted November 16, 2010 Well, you know how it is: they go on and on...turn left here, turn right there..... Ok, truth is he took the photo ;-) Out and in the car in a short time, thats an quick navigator Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Quicksilver Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 Tim and navigator good luck on the final test on 4 december. Let it be a good and of season. Gr Marcel Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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