Influenced by the DARK SIDE

Team DWR has stepped over the line, to the grippy black stuff, for a change of scene. It's been eight years since we last competed in a tarmac rally, and aside from some club-work at Baskerville racetrack, and a very entertaining hillclimb at Collinsvale, the Subaru has not seen a bitumen special stage.

The car is currently sitting on stands in my shed, sans gearbox. The broken cog-swopper needs a new casing and a few bits after the front crown-wheel tried to elope with the pinion during the final state round last year. The last 10 kms of that stage were completed in random-wheel-drive. Got my attention!!

Team chief Scotty is dropping the ride height, and playing wheel angles, but otherwise the car will compete as a PRC car, with its restrictor in, and 15" wheels, and little brakes, etc. This will leave us at a bit of a disadvantage for power and stopping, but we figure if we don't try to slow down too much, it won't be a problem!

The rally-seasoned Zara has been coaxed (bribed, backmailed) to call notes. This has only taken me eight years to pull off. So we will spend the next few weeks playing in the sheds, before journeying north to Burnie to recce the roads.

Will keep you posted.