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Hi guys,

Just wanted to share my news cause it's pretty big for me :) I am now addicted to dirt and going sidewayz at stupid speeds!

Some of you already know but I have finally reach my goal of learning to be come a Rally Navigator. Mark Butcher from Drivers Skills Australia has taken me on as his codriver in a Dirt Rally Series being held in Tasmania in his 02 WRX Imprezza (I know it's not a nissan but atleast it's turbo) and helping me learn to be a navigator.

I will be doing all 4 rounds throught out the year in Tassie and fingers crossed I can get to Rally Australia in September with him also!

My first event was on the 13th June and it was an experience to say the least! I have alot to learn and improve on but came 6th overall so wasnt to bad I think for Team with a new navigator.

This type of rally is different to what I was expecting as is a "road book rally" and uses a terratrip to assist you ( I think I know why they use the word TERRA) LOL. I have a love/hate relationship with this machine and got the nickname "reset" while I was in Tassie as I have a hard time resetting the bloody thing :) I will get there...... I think this sort of rally is harder than pacenotes but I am yet to learn that as well.

I got to meet Tim (Phat MR30) as he was Navigating in the Rally also. So cool to see another SAUer there :P

I am traveling over to Tassie again on July 18th for Round 2 so wish me luck and hopefully will have some incar footage and more photos to show you all.

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Jess

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Cheers Guys :blink: It's been a bit of a struggle to find someone willing to teach me the ropes - But Mark and Amy Butcher are awesome people!

I would have to say that it is one of the most incrediable rides I have ever been in...Beats a rollercoaster by 11ty billion! I get a ride in a Radical this weekend so see if that beats it..... ;)

Driving on dirt is something completely new for me and it's so much fun :) Going over a crest sidewayz is unreal and I get to do it all over again in a few weeks..

Just need to master my resetting capabilities!! :)

Thanks Charles - Cant hold me down at the moment and big achievement for myself becoming a Rally Nav :)

I have also taken on learning to be a Race Controller and that has just taken off for me I am at a race track in Sydney nearly every weekend up in the box telling officials what to do LOL

The Box is the best position to watch awesome racing ;)

Best motorsport event I have done "comms" for so far was the Super Trucks at Oran Park last month - Those guys get up and move and dont feel a thing when they have a flat tyre or there brakes on fire...

So when I am not rallying I am doing Race Control ;) I'm Excited!

You still got beaten by an underpowered toyota though :P

Nahh good job Jess, im still impressed that you came all the way down here to start your rally bug.

Aww I know...and you changed a tyre on a stage too! :P

Thanks to tell you the truth I was bit overwhelmed by it all...Scary stuff your first time!

I love Tassie...It's an awesome place cause it has my favourite drink - Farmers Union Iced Coffee LOL :D and nicest people! ;)

+1 for loving racing on the dirt

Good to see more people getting involved in the sport and i agree its definitely a different experiance racing on the dirt and being a Co-driver. I've done it a few times but i think i will stick to driving and leave the terratrip for someone else to worry about haha.

How do you go with motion sickness my co-driver still has to take motion sickness pills just to be safe and because i dont feel like trying to drive whilst he throws up in a plastic bag again lol.

I compete in the Amsag rally series in NSW and am enjoying every event in the little Dato though it needs more power. Must be great fun in a WRX.

well if it's anything like the ride I had in a radical sitting next to garth walden at phillip island a few months back you will be shtting your pants! lol, flat through turn 1 at PI in a car that is bullshit fast is wild. they do 1:30 something at PI which is intense to say the least... it's probably the fastest I have been around a track by a fair way.

+1 for loving racing on the dirt

Good to see more people getting involved in the sport and i agree its definitely a different experiance racing on the dirt and being a Co-driver. I've done it a few times but i think i will stick to driving and leave the terratrip for someone else to worry about haha.

How do you go with motion sickness my co-driver still has to take motion sickness pills just to be safe and because i dont feel like trying to drive whilst he throws up in a plastic bag again lol.

I compete in the Amsag rally series in NSW and am enjoying every event in the little Dato though it needs more power. Must be great fun in a WRX.

I have a new respect for people that rally...It's Crazy!

I dont get motion sickness...I love being in the passenger seat its just as much fun for me as driving!

Hmm have you got a link for AMSAG? I need as much practice as I can get and if I could get a passenger ride in a local rally would be a bonus for me!

well if it's anything like the ride I had in a radical sitting next to garth walden at phillip island a few months back you will be shtting your pants! lol, flat through turn 1 at PI in a car that is bullshit fast is wild. they do 1:30 something at PI which is intense to say the least... it's probably the fastest I have been around a track by a fair way.

Well Garth Walden is a completely different senario BB..That guy goes stupid quick in anything he gets into :D

The Radical is a mate of mine and a member of my car club Southern Sporting. The hot laps will be a Eastern Creek!! So will ask what speed we hit on Turn 1..But I cant wait to get in it going to be insane! :P

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Thanks Jason :P That would be cool! Thats the weekend after Rally Oz!! I swear if I get there I am going to try and meet sebastian Loeb..That will be my mission for the week!

I wouldnt say I am good...at this point :D have a lot to learn but I am getting there!!!

Thanks Jason :P That would be cool! Thats the weekend after Rally Oz!! I swear if I get there I am going to try and meet sebastian Loeb..That will be my mission for the week!

I wouldnt say I am good...at this point :D have a lot to learn but I am getting there!!!

Yeh i am hoping to go up and see Rally Oz too but will depend on if the car is ready for the event or if i have a few last minute things to sort out before scruitineering.

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