My goal for 2009 was to compete in all 6 of the Canadian Rally Championship events and this weekend’s Tall Pines rally will mark my fifth event (I missed Pacific Forest due to scheduling conflicts). So far the year has been quite a learning experience with everything being brand new—new Sanctioning body, new rules & regulations, new events, new roads, new 2 pass recce, new drivers to team up with, and often the most challenging a new language.

So far I have really enjoyed racing in Canada. I typically win the award for coming the farthest away to run these events (it is pretty common for it to take 3 flights for me to get to an event). Flying cross country can be a challenge on the best day, try flying out of the country! You really have to keep a good sense of humor about it and make sure to only fly carry on. Believe it or not I have been able to fly carry on for every event this year which is especially suprising because I am a girl who likes to bring lots of stuff.

After Rally Defi which resulted in a very big “off” into a mountain side, I am hoping for a solid finish this weekend. Once again I am teamed up with Bruno-Pierre Allard of A Team Racing in the team’s 2004 Subaru STi which has been freshly repaired from our off.

I am finishing my to do list for work and by tomorrow will be off to good ol Canada. We are starting 22nd this weekend with over 50 teams set to compete including the usual folks like Antoine, Pat, ACP, Henderson, and some interesting last minute additions like the Sprongl’s who are going to try to play spoiler this weekend for Subaru. It is great to see Dan Sprongl back in the car again after his nasty accident at STPR in 2006—just goes to show how safe these cars are! I remember driving by the accident (it was only my 3rd rally co-driving) and looking at the wreckage just gave me chills. Still does to this day….

We are going to fly into Buffalo and then drive up to Bancroft (about a 4 hour drive) Thursday, I am excited to see Niagra Falls for this first time in my life….wish me luck traveling tomorrow I have a hunch I am going to need it!

More updates to come……follow co-driver Karen Wagner on Twitter @ Wagsca for real time updates from the event.

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