Screaming through Newfoundland’s Suburbs

That time I was a factory driver for Nissan in the week-long
2014 Targa Newfoundland Rally.

I blogged everyday while competing, here’s the blog tag – Targa

Read it online at Autonet.

Favourite line:

Imagine a historic town is shut down and roped off into a complex driving course. You drive through it as fast as you can, the police don’t care, and you do this 10 times a day. That’s Targa Newfoundland.

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Total video-game courses.

Thank you sincerely, to the people of Newfoundland, for opening your province and allowing me to almost smash into your homes.

I had the best co-driver, Michel Crepault; we were an excellent match.

See, math camp:

The Micra was stock; I kicked the crap out of it and it was fine.

Enter the lowest class.. there’s no competition, you just get to take advantage of the closed roads in your own car.

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Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

Car Rallies are Won with the Mind

Read it online at Autonet.

Sometimes a rally isn’t just speed-based, it’s a thinking race, where teams compete for points.

Favourite line:

A trick I learned that you can use too: the word “right” has two meanings, “do I turn left here?” Instead of responding with “right”, say “check.”

Above is Keith Townsend, the gentleman in the article, and co-owner of  Vehicle Dynamics Group, the company behind the Mazda Adventure Rally. He won the modern division of Targa’s Modern Division in 2006, and in 1996 placed 3rd in the Canada CRC Canadian Rally Championship.

Below is the co-owner, Jud Buchanan, who has 6 podium Targa finishes, and is the former lead instructor at the Porsche Advanced Driving School.

Both are great guys with big brains, and who you should hire to design your rally.

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Back to ‘Keri on Driving’ – Index

 

 

Enter the 6th Annual “Rally ‘Round the County”

If ever you’ve wanted to try a car rally, this Sunday in Milton Ontario is your chance.

My friend Jim Kenzie will be there, who has great stories to share, and make sure to ask him about fog lights, he loves them ;)
 
 
Below is his write-up, and if you do enter, good luck and let me know how you did!

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The sixth Annual “Rally ‘Round the County” takes place this coming Sunday, May 25, starting at Milton Heritage Park.

Registration opens at 9 a.m., first car away at 10 a.m., and you should be all done by 1:30 p.m.

This is a low-key, family-oriented, ‘Time-Speed-Distance’ fun event – bring the kiddies!

All you need is enthusiasm and a modicum of mathematical skills. If you lack the latter, bring a calculator – we’ll teach you all you need to know!

Prizes for best scores, and for best costumes. Sure, dress up – why not?

Silent auction and barbecue (included) all to raise money for Girls Inc. of Halton, which offers after-school programs for girls who need support.

$60 entry fee per car.

Jim Kenzie will even be there with his lovely 1977 American Motors Hornet hatchback. But don’t let that stop you…

A ‘Welcoming Fund-Raising Party’ will also be held Thursday, May 22, at “Shoeless Joe’s Restaurant”, 800 Main Street Milton, between 5 and 8 p.m. 10 percent of all food sales will be donated directly to Girls Inc.

For more information, please visit RallyRC.com.