Written by:Steve Hart
9/17/2009 6:17 PM 

Well we were tied for first after the first day (dumb luck) now we are showing our true colors and  are close to the bottom of the group. We have found that the good rally racers (and there are many here) have been doing it for some time and work together well as a team. Not that Tom and I don't try to work together and we are very good friends, however we really had no clue all the teamwork, preparation and skill that goes into it. We are having a ball driving fast over many of the courses and we are getting better as the week goes on. Right after we finished our first stage in Harbour Mills this morning our car overheated and we lost all the antifreeze. Tom diagnosed it as a hole in the top of the radiator on the exact opposite side from the hole that was patched on Sunday. We were in the village for a breakfast and we were lucky to break down in fromt of Larry and Liz's home. Larry immediately came over and asked how he could help. Well he provided the tools and parts so we could make a temorary patch to the radiator.The car started to overheat just before the second stage started and when we finally started the second stage the car totally died going up a small mountain. We had many offers of help and the tow truck ended towing us and another car back to Marystown. Tom and I sat in our car on the top bed of the truck the 50 kilometers back to Marystown. We made it back to Marystown where our mechanics were, and Ian and Bob immediately went to work on it. After a couple of hours the car was cleared to go back on the course and Tom and I headed out to the Frenchman's cove stage. We ran that stage no problem and drove back to Marystown for the last stage. Halfway through the last stage the car died again and Tom did a good job navigating it off the course. We attracted a crowd of adults and kids and we ended up watching the rest of the last stage with them. Got a tow back to the service area and we are hopeful the mechanics can figure out the problem and get the car ready for us to run the last day. Walked back to the hotel, had dinner and have settled in to do my blog entry. Larry, Liz and there daughter Ashley were very gracious and helpful to us today and our tow truck driver (did not get his name) was a very interesting and helpful person. We hope to have another good day tomorrow in Newfoundland tomorrow and we are also looking forward to our return journey back home on Saturday. More to come ...

Getting supplies at Wal Mart

Start of the first stage

Larry repairing our car

Larry and Liz

Back up and running

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Location: BlogsRace for Hearing - Targa Newfoundland 2009