Downpours left standing water on much of the ORV Park stage. Here the team hits a deep puddle at speed en route to the final section of the short stage.

 

Photo © Jamie Thomas

Doo Wops ClubRally, Washington

11-12 March

New co-driver sports credentials

Hairpin Racing added Bob Sherman as the team's Co-Driver for the 2000 SCCA ProRally Championship Series. His background included navigational rallies in the US and Canada as well as frequent competition in Jaguar Club of North America (JCNA) slalom events. The first opportunity for the team to compete came at the Doo Wops 3 ClubRally. The event started at the Thurston County Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Park near Olympia, Washington. Heavy downpours welcomed the teams and their service crews to the typically muddy, rocky course circling the park. Five stages were negotiated with the aid of course maps. The team finished thirteenth overall.

The Doo Wops 4 event took place the following day with improved weather conditions. The third stage was run on pavement as teams blasted through the campus of a mothballed nuclear power plant. Despite posted 25 mph signs for normal traffic on the curvy road, the Hairpin Racing Subaru Impreza averaged over 60 mph on the closed course. All of this took place on wet roads with knobby rally tires, which set the stage for spectacular four-wheel drifts through corners.

The team improved its overall position on the following four stages, which included the well known Brooklyn Tavern stage and the new Brooklyn West stage. Speeds exceeded 90 mph as the gravel became swept and predictable. Spectators were concentrated at tricky intersections and winding curves to watch the action. The Hairpin Racing Subaru Impreza required a mid-event brake pad replacement, but experienced no other problems. The team finished third in the showroom stock PGT class and twelfth overall.

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