Booger Mobile was packed ready to go...
Damian headed off into the drizzle at shortly after 4am Qld time...
Collecting Shark Mobile along the way...
Before stopping off to collect Jason for his first esCarpade adventure!!
After contacting Tony from car 808 (aka Purple People Eater) by phone, the group decided that the Pacific Highway was the way to go, so they met at the BP Yatala... left to right are Booger Mobile, Shark Mobile, Team Afro and Purple People Eater.
Heading down the highway...
Jason was bored already and playing cards...
Across the border into NSW, where clocks were set forward 1 hour, and footy skills set back about seven years!!
Past a giant avocado...
Jason tried his hand at camera duties, doing a great job!!
Artistic!!
These wildlife corridors are dotted all down the Pacific Highway... pretty cool!!
Normally there would be two GPS devices in Booger Mobile - one for the driver, and one for the navigator... This trip, there are three... Jason brought his GPS, even though Damian had already organised for two to be available!!
Still a long way to go!!
Another cool tunnel with a wildlife corridor on top!!
Driving, driving, driving...
Past the Macadamia Nut Castle...
Cars lined up in the morning... Green fluffy dice courtesy of Vivien looking resplendant!!
Past a giant golf ball...
Over a drawbridge... there were a surprising number of them!!
After a fuel stop, it was Jason't turn to have a drive...
Meanwhile, the Booger Angel continued to watch over the boys, keeping them safe. Thanks Elli!!
Crossing the Clarence River (in the rain again).
Past some very neat looking hay...
An old church that's for sale... bargain!!
Past the Big Banana...
Purple People Eater...
Past a B-Double truck repping Camp Quality...
Yet another wildlife corridor tunnel...
Over Narrow Bridge...
Yep, they weren't kidding!!
The you-beaut suspension that cost a small fortune doesn't seem to be remaining at a suitable height...
Cars lined up for lunch at Macksville...
The group inside...
Ross from Team Afro tucking into a huge burger...
Back on the road, Damian was back behind the wheel...
While Jason had a post lunch snooze...
Tragedy strikes. Everyone is safe and well, but Shark Mobile is written off in a high-speed accident on the highway caused by someone pulling out in front of them from a side road...
The police man thinks that Booger Mobile is a writing desk...
With Shark Boy and Lava Girl (and their luggage) distributed amongst the other three vehicles, and Shark Mobile heading on a tow-truck to a holding yard, it was time to get back on the road, as the cloud and fog moved in...
Over some picturesque rivers...
Some good advice from the big flashing sign... good thing Damian used a camera, not a phone!!
Cars driving along...
Purple People Eater discovers oil leaking badly from the engine... some running repairs are in order.
Meanwhile, the rear suspension (done by professionals) is a debacle... Damian has contacted the suspension place about it.
The front suspension (done by amateurs) seems to be holding up well...
Part of Shark Mobile hanging out in Booger Mobile for the trip...
Down the hill, with the Great Dividing Range in the background...
Purple People Eater stops to check oil levels again...
And still Damian's unimpressed...
Brotherly love, self portrait style!!
Team Afro cruising along...
Purple People Eater doing the same...
These were awesome... they were little possum crossings that stretched from one side of the highway to the other!!
Past the smoking truck... carrying gas bottles!! Drive faster!!!!!!
Pulling into Newcastle, Booger Mobile decided that it didn't want to idle... Revs staying around 2400 rpm, making driving not so fun.
That's the culprit, but what's wrong?
Pulling it all apart, it would seem that the actual carby itself was having a little hissyfit... some adjustment of the tension on the nut and it seemed to be better...
Finally, after a long, tiring and action packed day, Booger Mobile got the boys to their hotel in Newcastle.
A number of teams and officials are already in town, so the boys headed down for dinner and a few drinks. Tomorrow is Day 0 - scrutineering and driver briefing, plus the all important opening night formal dinner!!
Stay tuned... esCarpade 2012 has begun!!
Fantastic Blog as always glad to see Damian, Jason and Booger arrived safely in Newcastle.
ReplyDeleteA great shame about Shark Mobiles accident but a great relief that the Team members are safe and unharmed.
Wonderful pictures of you journey so far,looking forward to the next exciting blog.
Well done and thank you "TEAM BOOGER MOBILE"
As always doing it for the kids :)
Thanks Kaye!! Was a terrible shame about Sharkie... but he'll be back bigger and better than ever!!
DeleteSurprise surprise the accident occurred in nsw. If there is one thing I've learnt down here, its that youre safer in a bus or train (maybe not a ferry).
ReplyDeleteGlad to see everyone is safe & the trip well underway! Will be interesting to see what the 'professionals' say about the suspension.
Lawz
The answer from them was "looks fine to me, but if you aren't happy, bring it back and we'll look into it for you".
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