Congratulations to all those who contributed to the success of yesterday's
Black Bear Rally.  It was an outstanding success as a competition and as an
organizational achievement.  The stages ran smoothly and on time all day.
Many of you were new but did fine.  We hope to see you back.

For those who are not aware,  the team of Andrew Comrie-Picard/Lawrence
Hacking in the Ford Escort Cosworth edged out Peter Reilly/Ray Felice in
their AWD Golf by a mere one second and that was accomplished by an
incredible dash in the final stage.  Then only 22 seconds further back were
John Vanos/Alan Ockwell in their Subaru Impreza for 3rd place.

Two cars had media co-drivers.  Watch for Lawrence's story in the Toronto
Star and Annette's in the Toronto Sun.

In view of some recent rally events in Canada and the U.S.  I had decided to
make safety a number one priority through worker placements and operation at
this event.  As of Tuesday we were quite short on workers and I feared we
would be skimping,  but thanks to quite a number of responses in the last
two days,  we had just what we needed.  I believe that you ran the safest
event I have ever been involved with yesterday.  Stage security was
excellent and vehicle tracking was a model example.  Congratulations for
that!  Several competitors commented that it was obvious that the
organization and security were top notch,  making them a lot more
comfortable on the stages.

This year's rally had some high priced (don't they wish) highly competent
behind-the scenes assistance.  Thanks to Tom McGeer and Keith Townsend for
their work on the notes,  to Christopher Wood for his mentoring of a new
Routemaster and to John Bellefleur for a meticulous greencrewing both on the
course and by table-top.

There was some equipment that did not find its way back to the trailer.  If
you have any of it,  please advise me and we will work out a way of getting
it back.

Thanks again for a great job!

Ross

It's amazing how quickly the attitude of an ATV driver can change...

car '0' goes by, I turn my head, see (and hear) four ATV's coming blasting up the trail I'm blocking on the Ril Lake stage.  Quickly radio it in, and hop out of the car.  I know the first few cars are on the stage.  

Lead ATV'er stops, pulls off his helmet, and proceeds to *complain* that I can't stop him from going on the road.  I explain the whole situation, and just as the group start to comment that they could dodge a rally car, Reilly goes blasting by spraying gravel everywhere.  Attitude begins to change.  Still upset, the ATV'ers settle in a bit more, as ACP flies past us.  It's about this time that I'm able to sit back in the car and continue tracking the stage, as the ATV'ers aren't going to try anything at this point.

Definitely an interesting experience.  My first real time dealing with 'locals' during an event.  

Doug "Yankee" Tompsett.

I just spectated this rally due to time constraints of my working schedule.  I plan to volunteer shortly.  Thanks to all of the workers for putting on a great rally.  English if that was you in the golf that gave my sorry lost ass directions I really appreciate it.  I was the guy in the pickup.

jfitz wrote on 06/20/6 at 13:31:02:


No Problem...glad to help.

Whoah, Nellie!!!! My first pro rally drive was this past BB, and I am just blown away by the experience. Thanks to Jeff Lantz, car owner and Grp2 driving champ, and Larry Wells, co-driver and hand-holder and Grp2 nav champ. Thanks to the workers and volunteers. I was a roadrace corner worker for a few years, and I consequently appreciate dearly your efforts and energy. No motorsports without the organizers and their wonderful volunteers. Hope all had a good time, even Georgie next door, in spite of the onset of illness. The heat was tough. Thanks for letting us duck into the MH, Ian. Thanks to fellow competitors for excellent comraderie, apologies for holding up a couple of the faster cars until we could re-seed at the next stage. Hard as heck to find a passing zone on those roads, eh? Galway beckons! Norm Murdock