Easter Weekend
Over the weekend, Glen was the navi for Mick for the first time. It was the first competition for the SSS Winch Challenge at Landcruiser Park- more info here. I think that they will put the results up shortly.
Anyway, on with the weekend. Glen was majorly excited. We got up early on Friday morning and we got to the camping ground at about 9:30am. We set up camp (took us only 30 mins – yay for our instant tent and gazebo). Then we got to watch everyone else set up camp. There was one couple that took over an hour and a half to put up their tarp just to put their kitchen under!!!
I think Mick got to the camping ground at about 11:30am and we helped him set up his tarp and swag. Once that was done, the boys set about getting the last little things done on the Comp Truck. As more people arrived, we started to get some visitors to camp. Jen & Fester rocked up just before the guys had to go for Drivers Briefing at 6pm. So I went with Jen & Fester to their camp (they scored the best site – we got stuck with the plebs on a slope).
Soon enough, it was time for the comp to start. At the draw, Mick and Glen were the first to run on Stage One. Everyone hates having to go first; but for Glen it was his first Navi experience at night and he had to go first. The boys did an ok time, but picked up a couple of penalties. The first one was pretty bad – Glen had stepped over the live winch rope – 30 points and Mick broke the bunting – 10 points. After that though, they didn’t incur any further penalties.
The boys broke the driver’s side CV on Stage 3. It was majorly hard core – the hill that the Navi’s had to climb for Stage 3 & 4 was unforgiving. Glen was stuffed after Stage 3 because they didn’t have any drive, they had to winch everything. Unfortunately, they ran out of time and recorded a DNF.
All the stages were really well planned and I think that organisers did a really fantastic job. The only issues that I had as a spectator was: Parking on Saturday; No Toilets until lunch time on Saturday; Didn’t see much of the night runs and; Having to Pay Extra for the Navi’s car to get to the Comp sites (I’m cheap – so I reckon it should be included).
Other things I should mention about the weekend. I met heaps of fantastic people. Everyone is really nice and helpful. The drivers & navi’s got to know my face, so they’d stop and have a chat and talk about their run. The families of the other competitors all look out for each other too. It really is like a gigantic family that catches up at every comp.
I also got to meet the photographer who goes to most of the comps. Her name is Sam and she posts the pics here.