West Coast Wanderings

Zara and I found our way to Burnie and checked into Rally HQ to collect roadbooks, and register for recconaisance. A trip to Oldina, Yolla and Calder stages to write pacenotes was next, and the countryside was picturesque as always. A little refresher run with our old notes, and we were away. After a few hours of noting, we retired to our accommodation for the week, the fabulous Hide-away Cottage at Ridgley. A beautiful spot in the country with all amenities provided by our most accommodating hosts. The crew are going to love this place!
Tuesday morning started with an early run south to Hellyer Gorge to start noting again. My enthusiasm with Zaras car earning me some penalty points for her personal "Bad David" tally. She has devised a scheme to keep me in check during recce, and this has been only partially successful. Unfortunately with a couple of days left, I do not have much room for error, and may have to behave.
Savage River was predictably wet and dry, and grippy and slippery, and full of big trucks (they win) but lunch at Waratah was very cruisy. The trip back up Hellyer was punctuated with many tourist vans and campers, but the notes flowed well.
Back to HQ to do our documentation check, and to generally annoy the jovial officials, and then a quick call to Scotty at Source Automotive to get an update on the car. All Good was the report, with the car well sorted, with its new gearbox housing firmly contained in the car, and everything working as it should. The van is packed, and the crew is pumped for the trip!
Scott will tow the Subie to Legana Tyre & Automotive tomorrow, and spend a few hours pointing the wheels in the right direction with the tyre god, Mick Luscombe. Mick is a past Tassie state champion, current state event checker, president of the Motorsports Club of Tasmania, nutter trials bike rider, and general motorsport know-all, and therefore the teams car never attends a rally without being "Godwadded" at LTA. He and his "boss" Leanne, are an integral part of the DWR package, and have helped make the step from crasher to contender.
Tomorrow will be another day of noting, so an early barbi tea, and some subtle alcohol intake are next in line. He he!