A cold clear night. Various car thermometers showed temps of -18 to -26, which varied depending on terrain. When it's that cold, the skies are very clear, so any teams stuck on snowbanks were at least able to star-gaze while they waited for a pull.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/858083_10151280248881439_...A dedicated crew of workers must be thanked for helping out with checkpoints, quiet zone patrol, sweep, registration, and scoring. Roger, Martin, Jane, Ross & Mat, David & Claire, Greg & Khristel, Bruce & Jim, Norm & Will, Trevor & Ted, Derek & Janet, Doug & Tim, Doug & Trevor, and Alan & Carolyn at EOL A in Minden. Some of the crew movements were tight, such that on one occasion, cars had to be held at a checkpoint for an additional five minutes to let the next cp get in place!
And the local constabulary were out as well, stopping competitors and workers alike. I guess a lost team going back and forth does look a little suspicious. I heard that an officer actually helped one team with the instructions in Wilberforce ("there's one person on the front of the train"
http://www.highlandseast.ca/files/train.jpg.) I was in Car 0 and we stopped to let a car go by as we were approaching a CP. Instead, the car pulled over as well, with the lights going. The officer asked if we had a guilty conscience. When we explained what was going on, he said "well, don't let me hold you up", and we carried on.
Back to the actual rally. 21 entries, including 6 expert, and at least one team that had never rallied before (they finished 8th novice). The route went west this year, out beyond the roads that have been used for the last few years around Bancroft. Mumford, Salerno, Salmon Lk. Rd., Fortescue, Milburn (used to be called Irondale) - these roads took the route to the Timmie's in Minden and back to the Bancroft Fish & Game Club. Speeds were higher that have been usual for the MLWR, which cause some consternation for the drivers (see link above), and the instructions, while simpler than previous years, caused some consternation for some of the navigators (see other link above). And really, what could be simpler than "right, left, left, right" as turn instructions for the entire section. Unless, of course, you forget that the first instruction is always the same as the last instruction of the previous section. Now that I think of it, there is one crew that could have quite a few stories to tell about this rally (don't forget your triangle once you've been pulled out of a snowbank - you may need it later).
A fine breakfast was served by the F&G crew, and results were posted by 7:14, awards presented by 7:40, and everyone on their way by 8:00, bleary-eyed but still hyped on Red Bull and chocolate-covered espresso beans.
Results -
1st Novice - Sean Jordan and Guy Boudreau
2nd Novice - Edgars Starts, Robin Banarjee
3rd Novice - Vitali Mossounov, Taras Magun
1st Intermediate - Sandra Maynard, David Maynard
1st Expert - Robinson Kelly, Louis Cabardos (returning champions!)
Full results here, including leg by leg.
http://www.mlrc.ca/MLWR/results.htmlA special shout out to Alex Cox of KWRC club for the unique trophies.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/155254_10151258622282271_...I would love to hear some stories from the teams - police encounters, snowbank encounters, adventures in navigating, that sort of thing. As Stuart Mclean says "It must be true, and it must be short; and after that, it's up to you". And send links to your videos. Again, to paraphrase Stuart, "we promise to read (and view) all of them and we'll publish our favourites."
Bruce
MLWR coordinator
(maybe someone can tell me how to hyperlink words without the actual link showing - send me a pm)