Pajero Challenge 2001
March 17th - 18th
CAR M39 Justin & Jason
This was to be our first event together as a team in our preperation for the
Outback Challenge and if we can perform like we did in this event at other
events our team will work quite well. The Challenge started at Matlock in
the rain and the first section was already changed to the wet course due to
the weather and even though we waited for other cars to winch up hills, we
encounted no problems. The second section was also modified as vehicles were
still on the tracks so we took the main roads to a point were we picked up
the notes near Aberfeldy and caught up with Mark and co in team M3. We
travelled to the half way without a hiccup and arrived to find a very
challenging navigation test, a nice hot meal and a motakhana track that had
to be completed before we were on our way again.
Section three we were back on harder tracks again which was good but it did
pose to be harder for the GQ with it suffering from a broken free-wheeling
hub after completing a rather ugly section which took us up and over a
fallen tree at the start of the section. Some bush mechanics saw us remove
the hub and replace it with rags and a spot light cover. This didnšt make
the wheel drive, but it kept some of the mud out, and with both diff-locks
in we continued on our way in 3 Wheel Drive. The VAT Club Checkpoint was a
sight to see with Mad Cows everywhere and even another Nissan that might
have the bits we were looking for. After some persuasion (not much in fact)
we ripped the hub off Roosters Nissan only to find it didnšt fit and we were
quickly on our way again. The rest of the section was done with us
short-cutting the last bit due to the fact that the winch was getting a
hiding along the Deep Creek section of this stage, and we were holding up
other competitors. We ended the stage and had a coffee before deciding to
change back to the Standard class and pick up some points rather than
pulling the pin due to the mechanical dramas we were suffering from. Even
in this section doing the standard notes we still had the winch out at times
but ended up finishing the section without to much bother to arrive back at
Merringtons to have breakfast and a well earned rest.
After all our dramas we ended up in 6th position, which we were both amazed
with, but must thank Rooster for his generous donation even though it didnšt
fit.
Jason & Justin
M39
Pajero Challenge 2001
Checkpoint - Mad Cow
March 17th - 18th
Danni & Rob - Hilux (pus)
Christine & Marty,
Casey & Tyler - Landcruiser MWB
Warren & Simone, Nicky & Travis - 80 Series
Royce (Rooster) & Jen - Nissan Patrol
Shane & Rachel - 80 Series
The day started with a call from Shane to say cricket had been cancelled and
he and Rachel would be joining us on the checkpoint. So after meeting with
Rooster and Jen we headed up to or checkpoint to meet up with the rest of
the crew that had kindly set up the checkpoint early that day as I was
unable to get there earlier.
We had chosen a MAD COW theme where I dressed as a milkmaid and handed out
milk and Milky Way bars. The rest of the crew dressed in cow suits or black
with white spots and cow hats and checked the cars in, took photos, put
stickers on the back windows and generally ran around like MAD COWS.
Our checkpoint opened around 8.15pm and closed around 2am, pretty good
compared to our all nighter last year. We were on top of a helipad and it
was really really cold but we all didnšt seem to mind as we were having so
much fun. We all had a fantastic night everyone pulled together well and we
made quite a few drivers and passengers laugh. Rooster was the ultimate in
fun, he cracked us all up and the drivers did not know what had hit them.
We topped the checkpoint off with our entrance into the finish the next
morning, Warren had his WARNING MAD COWS AHEAD sign tied to the front of the
car, we tooted and mooed at everyone as we came into camp (with our cow
hats on) every one clapped and cheered, I would like to think judging by
there responses we were well appreciated and may possibly be in the running
for best checkpoint.
Oh yeah one last thing - MOO MOO MOO MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Nic.
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