Karen Wagner and Doug Shepherd's SRT4

So with the drama of getting to this weekend’s LSPR rally fully behind me I could finally focus on rallying. After staying up very late Thursday night getting all of notes prepared and everything ready, I was raring to go Friday! Lesson learned: never buy erasable highlighters for rallying, they are a nightmare! Luckily fellow co-driver Pete Gladyz was there to save the day with plenty for me to borrow.

Buzz heard at the event: Block and Alex going to WRC seems like everyone was talking about it. Suburu pulling out of US rallying? Major series announcements coming from Rally America Sunday at the end of the year awards banquet (less events? Championship ending at X Games? TV package – hey I can dream can’t I?).

LSPR didn’t disappoint for Doug Shepherd and I Friday with an exciting race within a race with Henry and Cindy Krolikowski trading times back and forth all night. We broke a half shaft which put us behind by about 50 seconds with one last service and only stages left to make up the time. Those last two stages were only 7 miles a piece but with Doug and I both performing our jobs flawlessly we made up the 50 seconds and put an additional 20 seconds on them! That was some of the best stages Doug and I have done together need less to say we ended the day very happy. He is a truly unbelievable driver who can pull off some pretty awesome drives. We were both grinning ear to ear after the last stage. People ask why I love rallying so much that’s why. When the car, driver, and co-driver are working in harmony it is truly magic.

I have been in the right-seat of more crashes and offs that I care to count and every time I question my sanity for getting right back in the car and never thinking twice. I love the challenge and pressure of rallying there is nothing more rewarding than a job well done. The last stage Friday night we were literally flying and were 4th overall on that stage in our 2wd SRT4. What a way to end the rally!

We weren’t able to run Day 2 unfortunately so our adventure ended early. With Tall Pines coming up in about a month my next rally fix will be here before I know but this weekend’s memories will live on for many years to come!

I want to thank Doug Shepherd for a blast this weekend and for all of his mentoring for the past few years. Also thanks to the best service crew ever: Don, Pete, Kay, Toni (best stew ever), Douglas, Quin, and Katie couldn’t have done it without all of you!

Karen Wagner
Co-Driver in CARS, Rally-America, CRS, NASA series
Twitter: wagsca

Related posts: