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| Nemadji. My first event in the Mazda |
Dan has sold his rally car. The Mazda has moved on to pastures new.
I felt a twinge of sadness. For this Mazda MX-3, car number 958 was my introduction into motor sport. (I know road rally is also motor sport but not at the same level of recognition.) I went from knowing all about rally to knowing something about rally as a result of competing in it.
I know I've only run two rallies in the Mazda but the outcomes were pretty successful. But there's more to remember about the car than the podium finishes.
I vividly recall applying my name and the flag of Lincolnshire on the side of the car. Especially on the co-drivers side of the car, for on that side of the car my name is on top. That really was the moment that a long held dream started to become real.
As I was proof reading this article ready to hit "Publish" I remembered something else. The first time we cut a corner. It was out on the shakedown run before Nemadji. Uphill into a long right hander. Dans side of the car was on the gravel road, my side was on the grass. It was quite exhilarating. We've cut many a corner since, with tree and hedge branches clattering on my door as we speed by. But that first time was, something different.
Then there was the very first time I was strapped into the co-drivers seat at the Nemadji Trail winter rally. At that time it wasn't anything I could do by myself, Dan and Ben did the task. I was well and truly strapped in. I tried to reach my stage notes resting on the shelf in front of me. Not a chance.
Not.
A.
Flipping.
Chance.
"Pass me my stage notes will you?"
I was one with the seat. To my surprise there was more movement around my head and neck even though I was wearing a HANS device. If I didn't have what I needed in my hands already then I couldn't reach it. Woe betide me if I actually dropped something.
Finally of course, there's Headwaters. Finishing first in class despite the car not being set up correctly, and getting to spray champagne everywhere, even over the car. Something I will never, ever, forget.
Four great memories that the Mazda gave me.
But Cars are just lumps of metal aren't they?
I shall miss the old 958, but as the number stays with Dan there will be a new 958. What is it going to be? I don't know. Hopefully it will be as successful and be responsible for as many good times and memories as the Mazda was.
I felt a twinge of sadness. For this Mazda MX-3, car number 958 was my introduction into motor sport. (I know road rally is also motor sport but not at the same level of recognition.) I went from knowing all about rally to knowing something about rally as a result of competing in it.
I know I've only run two rallies in the Mazda but the outcomes were pretty successful. But there's more to remember about the car than the podium finishes.
I vividly recall applying my name and the flag of Lincolnshire on the side of the car. Especially on the co-drivers side of the car, for on that side of the car my name is on top. That really was the moment that a long held dream started to become real.
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| A great memory |
Then there was the very first time I was strapped into the co-drivers seat at the Nemadji Trail winter rally. At that time it wasn't anything I could do by myself, Dan and Ben did the task. I was well and truly strapped in. I tried to reach my stage notes resting on the shelf in front of me. Not a chance.
Not.
A.
Flipping.
Chance.
"Pass me my stage notes will you?"
I was one with the seat. To my surprise there was more movement around my head and neck even though I was wearing a HANS device. If I didn't have what I needed in my hands already then I couldn't reach it. Woe betide me if I actually dropped something.
Finally of course, there's Headwaters. Finishing first in class despite the car not being set up correctly, and getting to spray champagne everywhere, even over the car. Something I will never, ever, forget.
Four great memories that the Mazda gave me.
But Cars are just lumps of metal aren't they?
I shall miss the old 958, but as the number stays with Dan there will be a new 958. What is it going to be? I don't know. Hopefully it will be as successful and be responsible for as many good times and memories as the Mazda was.
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