tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2538593790810124847.post4879684695424983458..comments2023-12-26T13:32:40.503+10:00Comments on REPCO RELIABILITY TRIAL 1979: Wittenoom to Port HedlandIan Richardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04050908061599090884noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2538593790810124847.post-50292109563216432172012-02-16T18:44:17.119+10:002012-02-16T18:44:17.119+10:00We set off on the Nunyerry Horror stage at 6.52 am...We set off on the Nunyerry Horror stage at 6.52 am, light enough to not need headlights, taking due care and expecting nothing much worse than the previous night’s horror stage. However, we had only gone a handful of kms before we were in very rugged country with steep drops and climbs, narrow gorges and a track surface primarily made up of rocks averaging 6 inches in diameter! The creek crossings were generally not much different to the rest of the track. After doing 10 km in about 20 minutes we decided that we would almost certainly take the one hour maximum penalty so we chose to go very easy on the car. Soon after, Ian Hill came up behind us in the Lancer and we waved him through while we stopped to take a photo! Very soon after Portman went past with the Stanza looking decidedly second hand, but he was still pushing. Somewhat later the Datsun 1600 of Dave Colless went past also but we plodded on, content to set our own pace. The rocks were often so large that we were often scraping the sills, and in one spot I stopped and got out to inspect the best way through. At the Sherlock River we did the leap frogging bit for about a hundred metres to the right bend up the slope then paid our $5 and got towed the remainder. After that the track was better quality but still very yumpy. We crossed a sand dune with quite deep ruts and only seemed to just make it through. Another sandy creek crossing and another short $5 tow. Geoff informed me we were likely to take almost exactly the maximum hour lateness – no matter that those who had passed us would take actual time from us. We could see the Chocolate Ruffle Pass as we approached – a huge line of brown boulders piled up across the horizon. The ABC film crew were just before. We stopped in awe and inspected the best route over the huge rocks and then clambered, crab like, through to the other side. The going was somewhat easier for the remainder of the stage but still plenty of creeks, rocks, sand and gates. We took 3 minutes more than the one hour maximum but there was no-one in sight ahead or behind. I was exhausted from the stage and handed over to Wes.<br />Wes drove the short transport and then the Mundabullungara stage with me navigating to give Geoff a rest. Geoff didn’t get much rest as it was quick but very bumpy and yumpy. The suspension was also very tired and the struts would be replaced in Port Hedland. About a third of the way through the stage we passed Cowan who was going very slowly – the Citroen was sitting down low with no hydraulics. At 66 km we came to the culvert with the sand trap after. The Lancer had their winch cable across the road and we initially went over it and got a bit further into the sand. Portman, Colless and the Porsche were stuck a bit further ahead. The Lancer had been winching off a small tree but were changing tack to hammer in a stake and winch leftwards towards the solid bypass road. We did likewise, quickly getting a star picket into the ground. The three cars ahead extricated themselves while Cowan slowly sauntered by on the left! Wes held the top of the star picket while Geoff winched and I gave the wheels an occasional turn, being careful not to slip the clutch too much. We could smell the Lancer’s clutch! I spoke to Frank Neale out the open window and suggested we join forces with 5 of us pushing each car. It worked and we both packed away our winches and we let them go first of course. Geoff went back to sleep and we pressed on. The only other scare was that bloody big hole in the long concrete causeway. Phew! It was good to get to Port Hedland in one piece.Ian Richardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04050908061599090884noreply@blogger.com