Today we were meant to leave at 8am but everyone was waiting for the morning briefing as there are two routes to Kalgoolie, one is a sealed road the other is dirt... but with all the storms we were felt it was very unlikely that they would allow the rally to go down the dirt road.
James dutifully started the rally with this amazing quote - "The police have recommended that we should not use the dirt road, the road engineer has recommended that we should use the sealed road and the mining company (they own the road) has recommended that we travel by the sealed road BUT we are shitboxers so we are going to drive the dirt road anyway!!" A huge cheer came up from the crowd.. and then everyone jumped in their cars to start as many Shitboxers who have attended all 4 rally's the best day ever...
We were travelling with Team 11 to ensure that we had mechanics... the storm had created some large pools on the road and the fun began.. the mud was amazing - sliding through sideways... Two major pool crossings with water up to the top of the wheel arches...
Driving water has a real technique and if you ask any real off-roaders they will all give the same advice... Select a low gear, once in the water you must not stop, keep the power on and as long as there are no large potholes lurking in the brackish water all is good. So thats the theory.. now in practise... lots of people overcook their approach and hit the water too hard sending large shoots of water to all around but more important into their engine compartments.. we had some spectacular stalls with a number of methods to extract cars from human muscle -10 people pushing, using a tyre infront of a 4 wheel drive to push the car out and of course the obligatory snatch strap!
The jag "SUUS" got stuck in the mud but luckily we were able to dig it out and then snatch it clear of the mud...
After 4 hours of driving we had only covered 50 kms, people started to become concerned that this would be a very long day.
Luckily about 70 kms in the road dried up and we started to motor, I covered the first 163 kms and then Tim jumped into the finish the leg.
Now on the shitbox rally everyone uses UHF radios (walkie talkies) on Channel 14.. so through those endless kilometres we chat to each other.. over time you learn the etiquette of the radio...it works something like this..
Open call with Car name and who you want to talk to e.g. Pulllit to "No Idea", finishing every statement with "Over" so that the respondent knows it is their time to talk..
The classic "Over and Out" is used to finish any call.. there are variations such as a call to a Team e.g. Pullit to Team 11, Large pothole left handside next to right hand bend over.. You get the idea.. The radio becomes very important with the scout car in the convoy warning everyone else about the upcoming road.
On the Best Day, we were very lucky to have "No Eyed Deere" or "Wheelbarrow" as our scout who was an experienced dirt driver. Their commentary meant the whole of team 11 got through without a single mechanical failure - a big thank you.
We arrived in Kalgoolie at 4pm... very happy.. quick refill of the cars, a stop at supermarket to pick up supplies (food and beer) and then to the campsite to set-up tents and prepare for evenings entertainment.. we have got very good at getting set-up quickly so we can hit the limited showers and be ready for dinner.
Tonight we stayed at the Trots Race Course, all the cars around the outside on the track and all the tents on the grass in the centre... very well designed.
The meal tonight was brilliant, the food in the remote areas has been poor, too little and poor cooking but tonight was excellent.
James did a short speech, lots of smiling faces as we all got ready for a Karoke night in a large shed by the side of the course.
I was very surprised by the number of amazing singers we have on the rally crooning out some great songs...
We stay drank our Coopers Green laughed and clapped to all the brave singers! You would never catch me up there!!
Then as with last 6 days the long day catches up with you and you head to the tent.. Tim's camping mattresses and the decent sleeping bag make for a good nights sleep
Today was the last of the dirt driving and Tim and I are hooked... maybe next time in something a little more suitable :-)
Good Night
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