First we convoyed downtown to the Driver’s Meeting, mandatory breathalyzer test, and then the group shot.
All Targa Newfoundland 2014 Competitors
A quick car show along the water.
Then the ceremonial kickoff, with a soundtrack by this guy.
Assembled into our starting order.
Kicking me off is one of Newfoundland’s leading politicians, Mr. INeedToLookThatUp.
Prologue – a warm up.
3 practice runs simulating actual races, timed and with helmets on, except the scores don’t count.
Taken 45 seconds before my first ever race.
I was looking at this.
Green GO.
Inside the cockpit.
When I first found out I’d be competing, I was kinda oh, I don’t get to be in the fastest category?
But after today’s taste, omg thank you for getting to be in this middle category; this is more than enough for my first round. I drove the stages at about 80 km/h, Jim drove them at double that.
After the first stage my hands were shaking badly. After the second race, nope, just a big grin. Grateful this practice day exists, and I got my first one over with when it didn’t count.
Michel and I are starting to become mirrors.
It shows in the results.
We did well, not perfect though (remember the goal – to accumulate as few points as possible.) That extra 4 points is from a surprise Intermittent Time Check, and we were going too fast.
The race kicks off tomorrow.
We drive about 300 km in total, which is peppered with 8 stages (races), then we end up in a city 200 km north of St. John, which will be our new HQ for the rest of the week.
I heard the internet there is terrible, non-existent really, which I’m hoping is wrong, because how will I blog?
TTYT and send me luck all day please!
