By Sajjad Butt, UCR Rally Master, Photos by Halah Butt, Rally Volunteer (from June 2017 Provinz page 38)
Brave Porsche rally aficionados showed up on a gloomy day full of cheer and more than just their engines roaring to tackle the route that would take them through spectacular countryside sporting spring greenery as it awoke up from an Ontario winter.
Registration started at 8am sharp, followed by a lively rally briefing before teams were sent out to line-up their cars, get revved up and ready. Car #1 driven by Ali Al-Malki and navigated by Mohamed Al Mansour began the rally at 8:40 followed by the others in one minute intervals. Participants were to travel 186km in under 3 hours and arrive at the finish before noon. Following the International Navigational Rally protocols the cars were to navigate their way to seven checkpoints as they made their way through Caledon’s Forks of the Credit and onwards where their journey that took them through windy country roads and various elevations that displayed some of Ontario’s wonderful woodlands. Fortunately for the drivers and more so for volunteers posted at the checkpoints, not one drop of rain fell until cars drove in to the final checkpoint at 427 Auto Collision on Evans Road, in Etobicoke.
The winning car #8 was driven by David Stewart and navigated by Mike. They came close to perfection, losing only 2 points. Car #7, driven and navigated by first-time rallyers Martin Lystek and Marianne Neuper, came in second with 8 points lost. Third place went to car #1, Mohamed Al Mansour and Ali Al-Malik. These trophy winners were not the only ones who received prizes, as all cars were presented with a participation gift.
Special thanks to the checkpoint control team of Andy, Halah, Hamsha, Karen, Manzar, Mustafa, Roula, Sadia, Tony, Val, Zuhair and my constant companion, my wife Gulzar who accompanies me on all my rallies. These volunteers make it possible for me to host these enjoyable and fun-filled events. Without them, it just wouldn’t happen.
[pdf-embedder url=”https://pcaucr.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Spring-Rally-Results.pdf” title=”Spring Rally Results”]
