Black Pugs at play in the rain

The brace of Southern Car Club's black Pugs descended on the south coast once more.

This time, however, it was different, it was Matt's first ever rally.

The day before the event started badly . . . it was raining!

After a hectic day, sorting out which tools to take with us (we could only take what would t in Sooz Fiesta!), and ying to Guildford to pick up some new tyres we nally left in convoy with Bag and Al for the sunny Dorset coast! Sooz' poor Fiesta protested all the way, weighed down with tyres, tool chest, trolley jack and whatever else we could cram in! Progress was decidedly slow, and rather inevitably, Al (driving his Impreza) became bored and began playing on the roundabouts.

With our destination reached our gear unloaded, we decided our stomachs needed some attention, we duly found a very reasonably priced pub just outside Wareham.

Morning dawned bright and clear, if a little cold. With an extra hours sleep (the clocks went back) and the ne weather we were all feeling confident of a reasonable day. Over breakfast tyres came a matter of great debate, particularly with the wet weather due later in the day.

With a quick drive round part of the stage, on our way out of scrutineering, Matt was feeling more relaxed about his rst event as a driver (having co-driven just once before).

The relaxed mood soon disappeared when we tried to erect the large 'two car' gazebo, that we had borrowed from a mate of Matt's. The fact that it came without instructions didn't help our predicament. A brief phone call (07:30 Sunday morning) to Matt's mate didn't resolve the situation, he was less than helpful having been woken so early after a heavy nite on the beers! The gazebo was abandoned as we nally discovered that a few of the pieces were missing.

The rst stage was uneventful, both of us happy with the grip from our chosen tyres on the damp surface. Everything ran smoothly upto stage three or four with the exception of a couple of overshoots. Suddenly as we waited at the next stage arrival the heavens opened and in minutes the stage was swimming in water. We managed to maintain a reasonable pace, bar a few slippery moments.

Unfortunately, Bag had taken a gamble (one which had so far worked for her) and gone out on slicks. At an instant she took on the appearance of granny driving her pet pooch out on a Sunday afternoon!! Passed by four cars on stage she lost 3 minutes and looked very unhappy back in the service area. Bag's day went from bad to worse when her Pug died in the water splash, that, by now was a torrent, more than the stream that it started the day as, thanks to the constant rain. On the next stage, despite Al's best efforts, her car was still struggling. Passing us as we waited at stage arrival, again at the pace of a Sunday driving granny.

Matt and I had no problems, other than having to crawl under the car in service to check the suspension after a serious sideways moment on a very slight bend. With everything looking ne we set off for the next stage. Only later did we realise that our moment had been caused by the storm force winds over the crest on the highest point of the stage!

With the weather worsening by the minute, the last two stages were cancelled. I was more than happy about this as I had queued for over 10 minutes at the burger van whilst everyone else sat in the warmth of the cars, by the time I arrived with everyone's burgers and coffee I was soaked, thanks Matt!

A good day was had by us all despite the weather. Matt and I were pleased with a 47th place from our seeding of 69 and 5th in class, not bad for a rst timer! Best of all we beat Bag!