Rally news

[Eric Seppanen]

My 92 Sentra SE-R took to the forests again this last weekend for the 2002
Magnum Opus ClubRally in Munising, Michigan.  Biggest change this time
around was that I wouldn't be piloting the car.  As thanks for navigating
for me for three years, I let Jake Himes drive the car, with his brother
Silas navigating.

I wasn't too worried about letting Jake drive the car, until I saw him go
by on the first stage.  I was spectating a quarter-mile from the start,
and on this, his first rally as a driver, he was absolutely flying.  He
came around the corner completely sideways, dirt flying everywhere,
bouncing off the rev limiter, turned the car the other way, and
disappeared into the forest.  Suddenly it occurred to me that this might
not have been the smartest idea; I wondered if I'd still have a car left
at the end.  I know from experience that the roads of this rally are very
tricky, with some wide, some extremely narrow (tree branches scraping both
sides of the car), and all very, very fast (average speeds over 60MPH on
one-lane dirt trails).

I headed back to the service area, and stayed there worrying for the rest
of the event.  Each service came and went, and still the car was in one
piece.  Finally, with the last stage cancelled due to a 60MPH
racecar-meet-tree calling out the medical crews, the event was over and
the keys were safely back in my pocket.

Then the results started to come in.  I knew Jake had done well and won
Production class, but I had no idea how well until the final totals went
up.  Of 35 starters, half 4WD, many 300HP or more, with many good
experienced drivers, Jake had finished 6th overall, a full five minutes
ahead of the next Production-class car.  He would have been 4th overall
except for an unfortunate 1-minute penalty for checking in late at a
control.  Truly an incredible result for a 140HP Sentra.

links to results and discussion:
http://www.sisuracing.com/stagetimes/comptimes2.cgi?event=magnum02
http://www.specialstage.com/forum/cgi-bin/DCForumID2/676.html

I'll be returning to the driver's seat for the 2002 Lake Superior
ProRally, October 17-20 in Houghton, Michigan.

Eric
www.sisuracing.com