Best and worst 2007 rally experiences

THE WORST

Arriving in France with a wicked cold was bad, but things would get worse as the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles – a female-only, navigational rally – started.

I muttered to myself that I must have had a bout of insanity to sign up for the 4 a.m. wake-up calls and the 14 hours of driving expected each day.

When my navigator and I had the opportunity to stop, the French army rations I ate at lunch had me daydreaming of a home-cooked meal.

When the clutch on my rented rally truck went before the rally even started, I knew it was going to be a test of my fortitude as well as my driving skill. The rally was physically and mentally challenging.

I survived, realizing there are better ways to spend a day then being lost and stuck in the sand dunes of Southern Morocco. The next time I see sand it had better be on a beach, I told myself.

Not all was lost, though, as I learned a great lesson: After seeing the poverty in the remote parts of the country, I'll never be ungrateful for all that I have. Dorothy was right: "There's no place like home."

THE BEST

Shifting to a different continent, a different vehicle in a different rally and I had the best automotive experience of 2007. My navigator, Sandra Lemaitre, and I competed in the Targa Newfoundland Rally in a Mazdaspeed3.

Running in Equipped Class we soon realized our rally computer was not working, leaving us unequipped for the 2,200 km around the island. That didn't dampen our spirits, though.

We tried the moose chili in Leading Tickles, signed autographs and met wonderful people. The scenery was breathtaking and our driving spirited.

My rookie navigator did a fantastic job especially in putting up with me for the week that was supposed to be my honeymoon. I was happy to not have to sleep in a tent on the rocky ground or face a sandstorm each morning!

I would have preferred to finish higher than fifth place but having our Mazdaspeed3 voted as the Easter Seals Children's favourite made us winners.