Muddy Mountain Rally!!!

Historically this May rally is called the Rocky Mountain Rally, but this year, you could change the descriptor to Muddy or Snowy... such was the 41 year record breaking cold and wet weather in Calgary, Alberta this year.

Thirty teams showed up from across the continent to compete in a challenging rally; the second in the National series in Canada. The Rally4Life team runs a skinny budget for Canadian events and compared to many other teams, we have to make do with less... such was the case this weekend where tire choice in Calgary is typically every tire you have in inventory and it can make or break a race!

Recce went very well for us on the Thursday choosing to write recce notes without a second safety pass whereas most teams opted to amend the organiser provided JEMBA notes. We were happy after the many hours of driving through the Alberta countryside, but not happy with the constantly wet and snowy conditions.

Friday was a little brighter but no less damp... With the rally taking place at higher elevations, the team opted to shod the car with a set of old winter tires, a decision that would haunt them for the afternoon as many teams gained one to two minute advantages on the Rally4Life team on each stage.

After the infamous Powderface stage, a long, fast and committing mountain stage, the team had the chance to service the car and change tires to more suitable gravel tires for the end of the days stages. The Forest loop proved to be more friendly and although muddy, allowed the team to finish the day confident that they could find a good pace on Saturday at the Skyline Ranch.

Saturday was worse weather again. After the punishing weather spewed snow all over the teams tents in the evening, there was clearly no respite on the rally stages. The team bravely opted for Mud Tires for the warm snow and slippy muddy conditions, a brave move that paid off early as they quickly set some fast stage times even besting Canadian National Champion, Pat Richard on one of the stages who himself was struggling with tire selection.

The rest of the day played into the teams hands as stage after stage allowed them to catch a car on the stage or in control and moved them from 9th place in the regional standings from Friday to 2nd in the Regional event and 9th overall in the national event... a very strong finish in challenging conditions after a difficult start.. a true Dakar weekend.