NZRC Rally Otago

[Livewireshock]

With a total entry list bulging at 99, it looks like an impressive start to the year. I will be making my first trip to this event & will be looking forward to seeing it all. Would love any advice about what spectator points are better than others.

[raybak]

Wish that I was going as well, but have Oberon in the VR4 with Peter Jerie instead.

Will be following Peter Whitten closely, he will be running the incar camera setup from 4Kam that I have supplied him with. He should be a front runner this year in the classics seeing as he is running a BDA.

Ray

[Livewireshock]

Good luck at Oberon, Ray. Looking forward to it. Will look out for Peter too.

[Fleur]

Joes corner!!! On McLaren Gulley stage from memory.
Can anyone else jog my memory, is that the right stage?
LiveWire, Its an off camber corner over a crest. LeeAnne Barns rolled there last year. Its worth a look.
Also the ford in Whare Flat.

[Carlo]

Joes corner!!! On McLaren Gulley stage from memory.
Can anyone else jog my memory, is that the right stage?
LiveWire, Its an off camber corner over a crest. LeeAnne Barns rolled there last year. Its worth a look.
Also the ford in Whare Flat.

For anyone who is going to be there, bring your spectator maps to the CRO's caravan at the Waihola Service Park and we will mark the spots for you.

[Livewireshock]

Joes corner!!! On McLaren Gulley stage from memory.
Can anyone else jog my memory, is that the right stage?
LiveWire, Its an off camber corner over a crest. LeeAnne Barns rolled there last year. Its worth a look.
Also the ford in Whare Flat.

There is only one spectator point on that stage & will be run in reverse on the Sunday.

Will be trying to catch up with you Carl when I get down there.

From getting close to 30 degrees in Queensland, it looks unlikely to reach double figures on the weekend. Will have to make sure I'm rugged up.

[LeonBrooke]

It was great to see such a good result for Emma Gilmour Second overall

[L5->R5/CR]

It is too bad the US team had trouble getting used to the notes (our JEMBA notes are 1-6 and normally correspond nicely to gear selection in good conditions) and then had the off and electrical problems. Hopefully for the rest of their events they can be more competitive. They certainly seemed to have enjoyed themselves though.

[Livewireshock]

Just returned home to Australia from a great 4 days in NZ for Rally Otago.

Big thanks to Carl for pointing out worthwhile spectating spots. Froze my little whats-its off but was all very worthwhile. After watching the shake down on Friday night at Forbury Park, I only managed to see two stages on Saturday due to the delay for stages running. Arrive back in Dunedin & hurried to Carrisbrook instead of the street stage because of the time.

Sunday was better watching three stages, 10, 12 & 14, after finding my way with some locals from Balclutha along stage 10. Then had an interesting time when I saw that the original road I drove in on was blocked by a locked gate. Tried another direction, only to find that also had a locked gate. That left me having fun trying to negotiate out via the second half of SS14. It allowed me to see where Ken Block & others had their moments. Plus getting my rental car absolutely coated in mud. GOOD!

Definitely will not be my last time for the Rally Otago.

[Maui J.]

Interesting to see Alistair McRae is leading the Rookie points after Rally Otago.
He's not exactly what I would call a rookie, but I guess he is new to the series.

He is sitting 4th overall in the main championship.

http://www.motorsport.org.nz/Rally/nzrc/points.htm

I'm sure he will get faster as the series progresses. He said he had to get to grips with unfamilar note system used here in NZ and also the new pairing with his co-driver Steve Smith.

Great result for Mason taking max points. Fantastic to see Emma in 2nd place, she is going from strength to strength every year. And Haydon Paddon looks as if he means business.

Great start to the 2007 Championship. Roll on Round #2