First up, was to go to the centre of Tamworth to line up with all the other esCarpade cars for publicity and breakfast. In what would turn out to be an omen for the rest of the day, car 808 already had their bonnet up...
As an added bonus, it turns out that Damian and Booger Mobile were actually on the FRONT PAGE of the Northern Daily Leader (the local Tamworth newspaper). Check out the online version of the full article here: http://www.northerndailyleader.com.au/news/local/news/general/snot-a-bad-way-to-spend-8-days/1970367.aspx
Having received coffee vouchers - the esCarpadians bombarded the local coffee shop...
Scottie bought the paper with Booger Mobile on the front page, and posed as a stunned mullet to demonstrate just how big the article and photo really were!!
The cars were lined up down both sides of the street, and the space in the middle too!!
There are a large variety of vehicles, some turned out beautifully, and some that could be best be described as true "bash" cars...
Booger Mobile was drawing a bit of attention from the media again, and also from passers by.
Take note of how clean the back of the car is...
And the front is nice and clean too!!
This beautifully turned out car is being driven by a team of girls, and they are doing a great job!!
The public braved the bitingly cold wind and rain to come and check out the esCarpade cars... Scottie and Damian longed for the warm days of Queensland!!
At the morning driver briefing, Ben advised that there were a couple of alterations to the pace notes - one creek crossing was about 25cm deep, and one was about 2 FEET deep... The boys duly noted the mixing of units of measurement.
All the drivers paid plenty of attention, including these clowns!!
Fred Flintstone wandered around handing out chewing gum to ensure everyone had fresh breath after breakfast!!
After saddling up, waiting to be checked out at the check out point, including a radio check and breath test, the boys headed out in Booger Mobile, down the main street of Tamworth with lights flashing, musical air horns blaring and a grin on their faces, waving at the crowds.
The 2010 Camp Quality esCarpade had finally begun in earnest!! The first 20km or so was spent on the bitumen...
More bitumen...
And finally some dirt roads!! Booger Mobile handled beautifully, especially with the awesome Kumho R700 rally tyres on. The boys were happy to play it safe - the tracks were wet, there was rain around still, and slow and steady will get you to lunch just as well as driving like a maniac!!
A short time later, the boys came across the first "off" for the day - the angle was precarious, and it could have really turned pear shaped. Since there were already others there to assist, the boys continued through.
The red clay roads twisted and turned...
Scottie was happy in the navigator's chair - and after a bit of practice, the boys really started to gel as a team.
The first little challenge of the day was an optional creek crossing - there is actually a bridge immediately to the right of this track. Most teams took the bridge, but the boys decided to test out how Booger Mobile would handle a bit of the wet stuff... It handled it with ease!!
The esCarpade is run on public roads, so all road rules do apply. Stop and check for trains - good idea!!
Some of the roads were fairly smooth and well formed... However it was bitingly cold still, and at one point, there was SLEET falling on the entrants...
The pace notes took the boys back onto the bitument, heading towards Walcha...
Finally, the sun made a brief appearance in the sky, and the boys started to defrost slightly!!
The overnight rain that had caused flooding and devastation in south west New South Wales had also caused the causeways to be overflowing - a lot of them were not marked as wet on the pace notes, as they weren't at the time the course was plotted!!
Here's an action shot of the boys heading through a small causeway...
This one was considerably larger...
Scottie bought the paper with Booger Mobile on the front page, and posed as a stunned mullet to demonstrate just how big the article and photo really were!!
The cars were lined up down both sides of the street, and the space in the middle too!!
There are a large variety of vehicles, some turned out beautifully, and some that could be best be described as true "bash" cars...
Booger Mobile was drawing a bit of attention from the media again, and also from passers by.
Take note of how clean the back of the car is...
And the front is nice and clean too!!
This beautifully turned out car is being driven by a team of girls, and they are doing a great job!!
The public braved the bitingly cold wind and rain to come and check out the esCarpade cars... Scottie and Damian longed for the warm days of Queensland!!
At the morning driver briefing, Ben advised that there were a couple of alterations to the pace notes - one creek crossing was about 25cm deep, and one was about 2 FEET deep... The boys duly noted the mixing of units of measurement.
All the drivers paid plenty of attention, including these clowns!!
Fred Flintstone wandered around handing out chewing gum to ensure everyone had fresh breath after breakfast!!
After saddling up, waiting to be checked out at the check out point, including a radio check and breath test, the boys headed out in Booger Mobile, down the main street of Tamworth with lights flashing, musical air horns blaring and a grin on their faces, waving at the crowds.
The 2010 Camp Quality esCarpade had finally begun in earnest!! The first 20km or so was spent on the bitumen...
More bitumen...
And finally some dirt roads!! Booger Mobile handled beautifully, especially with the awesome Kumho R700 rally tyres on. The boys were happy to play it safe - the tracks were wet, there was rain around still, and slow and steady will get you to lunch just as well as driving like a maniac!!
A short time later, the boys came across the first "off" for the day - the angle was precarious, and it could have really turned pear shaped. Since there were already others there to assist, the boys continued through.
The red clay roads twisted and turned...
Scottie was happy in the navigator's chair - and after a bit of practice, the boys really started to gel as a team.
The first little challenge of the day was an optional creek crossing - there is actually a bridge immediately to the right of this track. Most teams took the bridge, but the boys decided to test out how Booger Mobile would handle a bit of the wet stuff... It handled it with ease!!
The esCarpade is run on public roads, so all road rules do apply. Stop and check for trains - good idea!!
Some of the roads were fairly smooth and well formed... However it was bitingly cold still, and at one point, there was SLEET falling on the entrants...
The pace notes took the boys back onto the bitument, heading towards Walcha...
Finally, the sun made a brief appearance in the sky, and the boys started to defrost slightly!!
The overnight rain that had caused flooding and devastation in south west New South Wales had also caused the causeways to be overflowing - a lot of them were not marked as wet on the pace notes, as they weren't at the time the course was plotted!!
Here's an action shot of the boys heading through a small causeway...
This one was considerably larger...
The flooded causeway in the below picture was one of the ones that were mentioned in the driver's briefing - apparently close to 2 feet deep and fast flowing... When the boys approached, there was a car stuck half way across that was being recovered...
What does that sign say?
Oh... this doesn't bode well!!
The boys made it through no problems!! Damian commented that the first crossing (that actually had a rocky bottom rather than a concrete causeway) was deeper and more challenging!!
Shortly the boys were back on the bitumen...
And the sun reappeared as they rolled into Armidale for lunch!
Having parked for lunch, the boys grabbed their jackets and headed to the venue.
Damian was concerned that he hadn't seen Tony and the crew from car 808 since leaving Tamworth. He phoned Tony and got no answer...
After being given the go-ahead to check out and head to the afternoon session of driving, the boys headed back to the carpark to find car 808 on the trailer behind the OKA tow vehicle!!
Poor Tony... his trusty Commodore wagon had given up the ghost half way across a creek crossing...
After lunch, it was Scottie's turn to drive. Sadly, the Armidale to Inverell leg had been cancelled due to impassable tracks because of the flooding, so it was a trip up the highway to Inverell instead of dirt tracks...
Scottie was still happy to be behind the wheel of Booger Mobile - he'd get another turn in the morning, which hopefully won't be rained out!
The boys passed back along tree lined streets...
Past Guyra...
Through Tingha...
Narrowly avoiding this pair of galahs...
Down some more tree lined streets (gee they love those in New South Wales)...
Getting closer...
The signs are getting bigger, Inverell must be getting even closer now!!
What does that sign say?
Oh... this doesn't bode well!!
The boys made it through no problems!! Damian commented that the first crossing (that actually had a rocky bottom rather than a concrete causeway) was deeper and more challenging!!
Shortly the boys were back on the bitumen...
And the sun reappeared as they rolled into Armidale for lunch!
Having parked for lunch, the boys grabbed their jackets and headed to the venue.
Damian was concerned that he hadn't seen Tony and the crew from car 808 since leaving Tamworth. He phoned Tony and got no answer...
After being given the go-ahead to check out and head to the afternoon session of driving, the boys headed back to the carpark to find car 808 on the trailer behind the OKA tow vehicle!!
Poor Tony... his trusty Commodore wagon had given up the ghost half way across a creek crossing...
After lunch, it was Scottie's turn to drive. Sadly, the Armidale to Inverell leg had been cancelled due to impassable tracks because of the flooding, so it was a trip up the highway to Inverell instead of dirt tracks...
Scottie was still happy to be behind the wheel of Booger Mobile - he'd get another turn in the morning, which hopefully won't be rained out!
The boys passed back along tree lined streets...
Past Guyra...
Through Tingha...
Narrowly avoiding this pair of galahs...
Down some more tree lined streets (gee they love those in New South Wales)...
Getting closer...
The signs are getting bigger, Inverell must be getting even closer now!!
No, apparently there was another tree lined street to negotiate!!
Before finally arriving in Inverell.
Heading towards the check in point...
After checking in, the boys went and booked into their hotel, before heading off to find a dust cover for the front wheel bearings - apparently one had taken a detour somewhere along the tracks!!
This is where the missing dust cover should go...
After finding an open auto store, the boys grabbed a dust cover and Scottie grabbed the hammer to install it. They simply press on... or so they say!!
After several unsuccessful attempts, Scottie handed Damian the hammer and in a stroke of good fortune, in a couple of taps it was on!!
Scottie then grabbed the hammer back and gave it a final tap down...
Tapping the edges to ensure a snug, even fit...
After fueling up and topping up oil and auto transmission fluid, the boys went back to the hotel room, where Scottie had an afternoon snooze while Damian sorted out his internet access.
At 6:30pm it was time to wander over to the RSM Club for dinner. This is the statue that is just across the road from the hotel. A local man sitting in the park told the boys that the story inside the statue tells of some aboriginal heritage in the area.
The RSM Club is pretty much the same as an RSL club up in Queensland. There was a memorial out the front...
And inside, Tony had saved the boys a seat a table with his crew and the nuns! The nuns were getting in the spirit of things wearing their hand-written "It's Tony's fault!" and "Blame Tony!" t-shirts!!
The entertainment this evening was sweepstakes and a lady who did some original bush poetry.
Damian decided that he would attempt a self portrait of all 8 people who were sitting at the table at the time the photo was taken... turned out pretty good!!
And the last photo for tonight's blog goes to one of the table staff and Kaz, one of the nuns... They got into the spirit of things posing for a photo, but it looks like the staff member is actually attempting to pick Kaz's nose!! Go Team Booger Mobile!!
Before finally arriving in Inverell.
Heading towards the check in point...
After checking in, the boys went and booked into their hotel, before heading off to find a dust cover for the front wheel bearings - apparently one had taken a detour somewhere along the tracks!!
This is where the missing dust cover should go...
After finding an open auto store, the boys grabbed a dust cover and Scottie grabbed the hammer to install it. They simply press on... or so they say!!
After several unsuccessful attempts, Scottie handed Damian the hammer and in a stroke of good fortune, in a couple of taps it was on!!
Scottie then grabbed the hammer back and gave it a final tap down...
Tapping the edges to ensure a snug, even fit...
After fueling up and topping up oil and auto transmission fluid, the boys went back to the hotel room, where Scottie had an afternoon snooze while Damian sorted out his internet access.
At 6:30pm it was time to wander over to the RSM Club for dinner. This is the statue that is just across the road from the hotel. A local man sitting in the park told the boys that the story inside the statue tells of some aboriginal heritage in the area.
The RSM Club is pretty much the same as an RSL club up in Queensland. There was a memorial out the front...
And inside, Tony had saved the boys a seat a table with his crew and the nuns! The nuns were getting in the spirit of things wearing their hand-written "It's Tony's fault!" and "Blame Tony!" t-shirts!!
The entertainment this evening was sweepstakes and a lady who did some original bush poetry.
Damian decided that he would attempt a self portrait of all 8 people who were sitting at the table at the time the photo was taken... turned out pretty good!!
And the last photo for tonight's blog goes to one of the table staff and Kaz, one of the nuns... They got into the spirit of things posing for a photo, but it looks like the staff member is actually attempting to pick Kaz's nose!! Go Team Booger Mobile!!
Day one drew to a close, and the boys walked back to their hotel to get some sleep. Day 2 will have Scottie driving the morning session, with Damian driving in the afternoon - the pace notes show that the morning session will be pretty challenging, so the boys are looking forward to another great day
Booger Mobile performed well on day one - the boys are touching wood and hoping for more of the same for day two!
Booger Mobile performed well on day one - the boys are touching wood and hoping for more of the same for day two!
Hey Damo,
ReplyDeletesounds like your having a great time, Great blog. I tryed to put a comment on the other day but didnt work.
Have fun.
Angus.
Have to know, did Trish really buy you those board shorts? If she did, are you in deeeeeeeeep shit.
ReplyDeleteShouldn't of left her at home.
Angus.
testing
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you got the comments working Angus!!
ReplyDeleteThe word has spread far a wide about the arrival of the great Booger Mobile in Tamworth for the Camp Quality esCarpade.
ReplyDeleteSnot a bad thing being on the front page of the local ragg.
There are a lot of fantastic cars lined up for miles for the start of the Camp Quality esCarpade 2010 but none quite as fantastic as the BOOGER except for maybe the one cutie
booger was eying off.
With horns blaring and lights flashing,it was time to get the show on the road.
The picture of the journey tell a great story.
The day ended well with a great fun filled night for all to enjoy, thank you Damian and Scottie