Woods event… fully sick!

PAKENHAM Auto Club (PAC) members were heavily involved in the George Woods Novice Rally on the 28 March with 12 PAC members competing, watched over by 11 PAC members officiating.
Clerk of course Glad Fish and road directors, Nick Wright and Ray Garrad, had been working on this event for four months, surveying the Powelltown forest for suitable roads while negotiating with all relevant authorities.
It all ultimately came together with a top rally designed to introduce new competitors to the sport of rallying while giving novice crews a suitable event to compete in. Eight additional PAC members worked on the event, providing essential control officials, road closures and steward.
The event attracted a field of 33 competitors, and for many it was their first rally event.
PAC member and experienced driver Graham Wallis competing with novice navigator Simon Pilepich in a Peugeot 205 finished second outright. Nicholas Charrett driving a Ford Escort Mk2 with Matthew Dulak navigating finished fourth outright, in only their second rally. While father and son team, Dale and Scott Allan were only on the third stage when alternator problems put them out of the event.
The first half of the event was for the Rookies Ramble award – however rookie teams could attempt the whole event.
Third place in the Rookies section were Shane Walters – his first rally – driving a Peugeot 405 Mi16 with experienced 16-year-old Mitch Garrad navigating. The pair were in third position outright at the end of the Rookies section when fuel problems prevented them from attempting the full event. Also pulling out at the end of the Rookies section were experienced autocross father and son team, Greg and Paul Shaw. Attempting their first rally in their Nissan Skyline they finished eighth in the Rookie section, only competing the first half owing to car sickness.
Russ Day, who has done a few rallies, introduced club treasurer, Rob Sanderson to rally navigation in his Peugeot 405. Rob is doing very well in motorkhanas, but he also suffered from car sickness while navigating and they also only completed the first half.
The experienced graded team of Alan Upton and Mark Laidlay driving a Datsun Sunny did not qualify for outright awards.
The next club night is this Monday (13 April) at Lakeside Lutheran College where guest speaker Bill Freame will be talking about pistons – members, potential members and friends welcome.
The next event at the PAC’s McGregor Road Complex is Junior Development Driver Training on 11 April, followed by the PAC Interclub Motorkhana on Sunday 12 April – in this event club points are more important than individual points.
For more information visit www.pakenhamautoclub.org.au or email secretary@pakenhamautoclub.org.au . You can also ring the PAC on 0413 370 159.