What a year it's been. 2011 has been a fantastic year for the team with some great results at all levels. Not only did we compete at the highest level in Australia the Australian Rally Championship, but we contested the NSW State Rally Championship and the Shannons ACT Regional Rally Series.

Success was achieved at all levels as well, Ray and Derek in with a shot at the ARC Premier League and Privateers Cup, with Ray coming out with a win but unfortunately Derek had to settle for 3rd. Ray and Andrew had a win at ACT Novice, with Andrew also winning Silver Cup and Clubman, an awesome effort by Andrew. Ray won NSW 2wd with 2 different drivers, Andrew and Darren McLanders. So not a bad year for the trophy cabinet. Oh and should mention a very serene podium at Bonnie Doon.

The highlights of 2011 have been being able to run at the WRC in Coffs Harbour, now this was awesome, even just to do recce with the world's best. And to say mid stage, we beat Ken Block when we saw him off in the trees. He had a bit of a Mentos moment:) if you get the drift. Doing the run around the service park at Rally QLD trying to find yet another radiator, we went through 3 for the event. Got a good knowledge of where the creeks are for water at ROQ. Hanging out with the Rallyschool guys at all the events, great bunch of people and seems to ever expanding. Another highlight was being able to sit next to Andrew and see him develop as a driver, and getting to do a few stages at Alpine as Zero.

2012 is going to bring some good things, starts with my one and only drive for the year at Minidulla in February, then I hand the reigns of the Charade over to Brent Baker, with his aim to compete in ACT Novice. I may pop up for selected events as a driver but my main focus will be on codriving. Derek and I will be at Rally Calder with a new Sponsor, we will have an announcement in the new year of who this is. I will be back to Targa in 2012 with Ray Julian, will also have my mate Dean Brajevic competing in the event for his first time.

It has been fantastic to catch up with so many friends and to make new friends during the year. Being part of the ARC community has been great.

I hope that everyone stays safe over the Christmas New Year period, watch out on the roads if you are driving.

Look forward to catching up with everyone during the New Year, especially at Rally Calder and at Minidulla. I'll also be having a few ales at ACT presentation night on the 14th of January and at NSW presentation night on the 28th of January.

Cheers and best wishes to all.

Ray

Final event of the year for the Lake Mountain Ski Hire team, Derek and I still in with a chance to win Premier League and Privateers Cup.

Recce went well, was interesting to see how much our notes have developed since last year. Certainly the changes and the noting experience have helped to make us go faster.

Heat 1, with 4 forest stages and 2 runs over the Super Special about 70km comp for the day. Went out to try and keep Charlie honest, he had been a bit quicker than us at the last few events, but this was Derek's home turf and hopefully it would make a difference. After 3 stages we lead Charlie by 0.3 sec now how close is that. Top competition, our times weren't that far of Simon Evans and we were in 9th. The ARC has got a lot closer this year. 

Anyway we ended the day behind Charlie in 2nd in Premier League, so this meant that whoever won Heat 2 would be champion driver. There was an interesting effort for us at the end of stage 3 with us going over the Flying Finish backwards, there is footage in our video section.

Heat 2 we started off fast, only to lose about 12 secs to Charlie and the 1st stage and again on the 2nd stage, we then took 10 secs back on the 3rd stage of the day. 4th stage Charlie responded beating us by 5 secs. Looked like it was game on for the afternoon as we were in similar positions with our limited tyre allocation.

Unfortunately on the 1st stage after service we broke a few things culminating in coming to stop with a 5 speed box of neutrals. This gave Charlie his well earned championship. While out in the forest I was trying to work out the codriver points, realised that there was a slight chance I could still win, had to rely on a fair few other competitors to swap positions though.

Ended up that John Berne got in front of Raz in the Fiesta meaning I got the championship by just 2 points. I was pretty stoked with that.

Would like to thank all the people that have helped during the year. Our service crew, this has varied through the year, but Dash from Dashsport has been very helpful, all the Rallyschool.com.au crew especially Mick Ryan for all his support. Brent, Joel, Kelly, Angelo and some extra help from guys like Matt Boorman and Carl Stewart during the year.

The biggest thanks goes to my mate Derek, for a great year of driving on a small budget. Derek was actually as high as 5th outright in the points at one stage. He ended the year 8th, not too shabby. Derek showed what can be done with an older car and a lot of perserverance.

Well done to Charlie on his win and also to the new Australia Champions Justin and Matt. 

Ray

Rally Victoria 2011 Derek Reynolds, Ray Baker Stage Three