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I received an email last night containing the first draft for my team roster for this years Telstra Rally Australia and by the looks of it I am going to be at Gloucester Park for the whole event. I am now trying to decide if I like that idea or not.
It will mean that this is the first year that I have not been out of the city. The upshot of that means that my fuel bill will be lower as in the past I have easily clocked up a thousand kilometres over the four days, the downside is that I actually enjoy country driving. No country stages means I will not need to take my camping equipment.
The Sotico stage requires an early start and I have always found it easier to drive from the previous days event and camp overnight. In recent years this has meant driving down from the city after midnight, but it is still better to do that than attempt the 150km drive when ten thousand other people are also attempting it.
Yes, I think I will miss the country drive and the camping.
Being city based is going to create long days as well. The event technically starts and ends in the city each day. On Sunday morning, for example, my due time to start setting up is 03.00 and I can see myself being there for over 12 hours.
Then again, there is plenty of services, more chance of seeing action, and apparently our office this year is well equipped, including live feeds from the satellite television station that broadcasts the event through Europe.
Either way, it should be an interesting event.
