The key to good rallying

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 340, 19 June 1990, Page 16

The key to good rallying

Rally drivers have all sorts of problems don't they, from blown head gaskets and busted struts and trusses to inoperative cigarette waste receptacles. But who would have thought one would be stuck at the start line, with precious seconds and placings passing, while the sis-in-law rally-drove after the support crew to retrieve the car keys! Rookie rally man, Allan "Scrooge" Murdie was the one, in a recent rally in Taumarunui. He and bro Graham were about to alight their t'rusty Toyota, but their supporters (?) had the keys on their dashboard. Sue Murdie chased after them in the four wheel tyred Ford Sierra Cobsweb (complete with heavy-duty roof rack-combination roll cage) showing off her own rally driving skills. She managed to catch the so-called supporters and the keys were duly returned in time but unfortunately, because Sue was driving on the wrong course and wasn't actually entered anyway, her time wasn't recorded . There's more! Supporter (?) Ben Goddard met up with the team at Taupo on Sunday and had a go in a sprint race. Scrooge has clocked up over 1000 k's racing and has only managed to lose the keys, Ben raced 4km and lost his sense of balance, putting the car on its roof. Some spectators kindly flipped Ben and navigator Graham right way up and they continued the sprint, only minor damage to the car and no lunch lost. (Footnote: these Murdies seem to get into this column fairly regularly - surely there are other people around worth talking about? Phone 58 532 and ask for Gossip- annonymousness acceptable).