Jim & Kaari's Rally Diary

Chapter 9

100 Acre Wood almost ClubRally 2002

We were very excited for the upcoming 100 Acre Wood ClubRally. This was probably the second most anticipated event for us (next to the first Rally) because it was the ClubRally national championship for the 2001 season. We'd been given an invitation to compete and we were anxious to test ourselves against the champions for the other divisions. However, it was to become our biggest disappointment yet.

We did not even get to start the race. Heck, we didn't even make it out of Minnesota! Our hauler (which we had bought last fall, had worked on all winter, and had thus far only used at Sno*Drift) expired which a SCREEEECCHHH-shudder-silence just before the Iowa border. Oil pressure, coolant temp, and all fluid levels were fine. Turbo inpeller looked fine and spun freely. The engine re-started but was missing a cylinder and smoking like it was on fire. We'd got an early start that morning so we thought we might have time to repair it and continue on. After calling the nearest truck repair shop, they said there was a 90% chance we'd "just" blown the turbo, and they had parts and could get us in and out right away. So we decided to get a tow there. After a long wait for a tow (the first tow truck they brought was WAY too small...), we got to the shop (in Albert Lea MN) where the mechanics quickly pulled the valve cover and oil pan. They found a broken rocker shaft and many shatterd tappets in the oil pan. These parts where not available till next week, and the cause completely stumped the mechanic staff. We frantically looked for something to rent that could get our stuff to the event, but there wasn't even a car dolly available. We called friends in the cities, but no one was close enough to be able to get their truck to our house, get our old trailer, and get them to us in time. My brother-in-law came up with a rental trailer and the offer of his pickup, but by the time we learned of his solution the trailer rental place was closed. Now it was too late to even consider driving the RallyTruck the remaining 10 hrs. to the event (on race tires, without a service vehicle or crew). We were forced to abandon the rig in Albert Lea, rent a car and drive home VERY depressed. This is a new low point for us. At least when we blew the motor in our pick-up going to LSPR we were able to still make it to the event. Especially irritating is that in hindsight, we could have possibly made it if we had called friends as soon as we broke down (instead of waiting to get the hauler to the shop and get through the tear-down) Aarrgggg!

Oh well, at least we're home safe with nothing damaged except our wallets.

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