I was at the shop last night until late. I managed to get everything on my list done and that was a pretty big accomplishment. There was some damage done to the car at Laughlin but you wouldn’t think any of it was on the co-driver’s side. Turns out that’s where most of the damage was. When in the ditch, we took a boulder between the back of tire and skid plate on the right hand side. This means it hit the bumper, the tow hook, the right front radiator support, the plastic belt cover, the evap canister support, the plastic wheel well, the control arm, and the sway bar. Cracked, moved, crushed, snapped, shattered, gone, dented, and gouged – in that order. The control arm dent was a bit of a surprise. These are cast pieces, heavy and thick. Still metal, still able to deform, but surprising to see something that resembles a railroad tie bend.

Another issue I was working late on was our reverse lights. I had problems in Prescott with the lights coming on. I traced the problem to a faulty transmission switch and replaced it for Laughlin. When I got to Laughlin, I backed off the trailer, rolled into tech – no reverse lights. I was jamming the car in gear and got nothing. The safety stewards made a note in my log book. For the rest of the weekend, everytime I took the car off the trailer – the lights would work. So, back in the shop I take another look while I trace the wire for the circuit. They work every time! I could not get the switch to fail… So, Murphey’s reverse lights will be ready for another tech issue in Reno. I know which wires run them and I’ll ‘hot-wire’ it if need be.

The final prep was the Rally America sticker kit. Along with that, KC from RallyDecals.com sent me the rest of the vinyl needed for the car. I didn’t have time before Laughin to get a black windsheild visor, or to re-do the regalia usually on the hood. Now she’s stickercharged and ready to rally!

We want to thank some special rallynotes.com team supporters: Jerry Cheney and his family! Thanks for your support guys – we couldn’t do it without you! We’re going to do awesome in Reno!