So here we are. Mexico! The land of big hats and siestas! And this years fastest rally! Let's bring it on!
Pre-Race: Some testing (which I usually don't do). Went OK.
SS1 - Fraizer Wells Run 1: Darn nervous. I really feel that I should prove my worth in this rally... Not good to be starting out this nervous. A bit "laggy" driving. Not any actual lag. But my driving wasn't the most rythmical. But a good stage nevertheless. 4th in session 17 seconds in front of Sion. The fight has started!
SS2 - Hualapai Nation II Run 1: Went off very early. No damages, no loss on control. Heading back onto the road. The game decides that I'm too far away, and gives me an automagical CfH. Looses around 40-45 sec on that. Other than that. Easy pace on the stage. Takes 15 more seconds on Sion.
SS3 - Diamond Creek II Run 1: Just like Hualapai, not a stage I really enjoy. Made one little mistake, lost around 5 sec on that. But I got 7.5 more sec on Sion. Important for me.
Service # 1: Apart from the mistake and forced CfH on SS2, I'm very happy. Driving fast enough atm. Should just keep this now.
SS4 - Fraizer Wells Run 2: Great stage. A little problem at the start of sector 3, when the photograph was in the road. Not used to that. Else than that. Awesome. Got 18 sec on Sion!
SS5 - Hualapai Nation II Run 2: Hah! I managed to get past where I went off last time. Then thought I had control. Just forgetting about where I only just got through last time. Now I rolled.
The thing with the Volvo is that it very very rarely rolls on its wheels again. But on the plus side. It very rarely roll multiple times. Which in turn makes it "impossible" to get heavy damage on wheels and suspension. Lost 32 sec to Sion though! The fight is back on!
SS6 - Diamond Creek II Run 2: Now. This is a stage that I'm able to drive without mistakes. But I just cannot drive fast on this stage. Even if my life depended on it! Happy this time around though. Don't think I could've gone 1 tenth faster!
Also managed to pull out 12 sec on Sion. Happily for me!
SS(S)7 - The W Run 1: The W. A short, slow, tight stage. All the opposite of what fits my car. I'm even sure that on the most tight and twisty part, I cannot get the car around without going outside the road. Unless the car bends like a banana (or bend it like Beckham). However, I love the stage
And I managed to get one more sec advantage over Sion
Service # 2: Not so happy this time around. The Hualapai Nation stages ruined my hope of a rally win. Other than that. Aaawwweeesome!
SS8 - Canyon Run 1: Another fun stage. Reminds me hell a lot about one of the first Rally USA stages from CMcR Rally 04. Got just a half second on Sion. But this stage I went wide, drifting around! Lots of fun. Not effective at all!
SS9 - Prospect Ridge II Run 1: Another stage where I'm not very confident. It feels like this rally is well balanced for the 2WD class. The first 6 stages fitted my huge Volvo better than the small, nimble FWD's. While the last stages ain't that good for a huge sideways-going car. Anyway, managed to pull out a huge 20sec more from Sion on this stage. Back to over a minute between us now
SS10 - Mineshaft II Run 1: Woah. I like the stage, with 4WD, but even then, I'm almost too much sideways. This stage was filled with luck, and even more luck! Managed to drag out 13 seconds more on Sion.
Service # 3: Rally so far looking good. I have 1min15sec on Sion. Which in theory should be enough. But you'll never know what I'll do. I was in the lead in a club rally with well over a minute. And retired on the last stage. The same can happen here!
SS11 - Canyon Run 2: Like I said, you'll never know what I'll do. Two spins. Lost out 11 sec to Sion. Are the nerves getting to me?
SS12 - Prospect Ridge II Run 2: Was 13 seconds slower than last time around. But got 0.5 sec on Sion. Two stages left. Getting nervous again. This is almost unbearable(typo me guess).
SS13 - Mineshaft II Run 2: Holy Macaroni! On the start I realized the water broke!!! Or... at least that the radiator was broken! But the car lasted the stage at least! Was 2 sec faster second time around. And managed to extend the lead over Sion with 10 seconds! Back up to 1.16 ahead! And that should be easy to keep on The W... If my car holds together for two more minutes!!
SS(S)14 - The W Run 2: A fun run! The car held togheter. Sion beat me with two seconds. Bringing the difference down to 1.14. I decided to take a "fun" finish. So if I loose to Tom or Silvio with 1 second. I will never forgive myself! Ever!
At the finish: Overall quite happy with the rally. The two Hualapais, second run on Canyon, and second run at Prospect Ridge II robbed me of any chance of a win in the 2WD class. But still, it's been the most fun I've had since Rally Norway! Good driving tonight Sion!
PS: I'm just aware of myself, Sion, Tom and Silvio driving 2WD in this rally. That's why I haven't mentioned anyone else (if there is anyone else)