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The Evo gets a quick underbody inspection at the end of the day. Β» More Photos
Wow. I have finally had a chance to drive our new Evo on my first real stage and all I can say is WOW.
As I've mentioned previously, after competing in Targa Newfoundland for three straight years, this is the first time I've come as a driver. Today was focused primarily on team briefings, meet and greets, and the ceremonial start, but the afternoon gave us our first chance to run real closed-road stages at real speed.
Sitting in the car at the start of the stage 1, I was as nervous as I was the first time I drove on a racetrack. Only this time I really understood the consequences of going off the road.
Lined up at the start line, watching the lights count down, I nervously blipped the throttle to build up revs for the launch. As the lights flipped to green, we leapt onto the stage and all of the nervousness ceased. Scott quickly started calling pace notes, "50 into Hard Right at Tee 40 . 20 " Down on the binders, downshift to 2nd, turn into the corner and back into the throttle as soon as you see where the road goes. After only a handful of kilometers and a scant few minutes, we shot through the flying finish and the stage was over.
I officially have driven my first stage. Interspersed throughout the day are additional Parc Expose stops. Scheduled into our transits, these short breaks are intended to give the local communities a chance to meet the drivers and see the cars up close. They also serve as a great chance to socialize with other competitors and to relax from the hustle of the rest of the day. During the Prologue day, the group makes its annual stop at a local nursing home, where (not kidding) tea and cookies await. Yum.
Just a short trip down the road, the second stage of the day would add a bit more complexity, as tight roads and constant pace notes for the co-drivers to call out test their navigation skills.
Charging through the narrow, twisty roads and flying over blind crests, you must trust your co-driver's ability to help you read the road ahead. The job is really not easy others have likened it to doing a math test at 100mph, and that's really not the far from the truth. Despite it being his first time as a co-driver, my partner Scott never missed a call and did a fantastic job of counting down the distance into the hard corners.
Out of breath at the end of the stage, Scott looked over and said, "That was really hard! You're just so BUSY." That's what I've been saying for 3 years!
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series fans can watch Ron Hornaday, Jr. defend his Championship in High Definition at Daytona on SPEED. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) Β» More Photos
As we rolled back to our overnight stop in St John's, it finally settled in that I could DO this we can make a serious run at this event while being safe and working towards our Targa plate.
And despite the nervousness, I was having the time of my life. Unfortunately, the addiction is so strong it probably means I'll never be able to co-drive again. Oh, well.
After a quick check of the fluids, the brake pads, and an inspection of the skid plates (we bottomed out while cutting a corner), it was time to pack up for the night. As many other competitors fixed their cars after discovering issues on the shakedown, we were able to leave early for dinner and a good night's rest.
Tomorrow the real fun begins Leg 1 in North Avalon and 6 medium-to-fast stages along the coast.
READ THE ABOUT THE MAZDA TEAM HERE
READ LEG 1 STORY HERE
READ LEG 2 STORY HERE
READ LEG 3 STORY HERE
READ LEG 4 STORY HERE
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