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!