The "Hire-A-Hubby" and "Best Value Signs" sponsored Team Stigma took great inspiration from it's new sponsors and came home with a result well above expectations.
Starting at Car 74, Team Stigma finished the day a fantastic 23rd in the shorter of the two events on the day.
"We're so pleased with the result," said Smith. "It was a tough rally, considering that we ran the first 45km stage with the ball joint about to part company with the control arm, making steering very difficult. We were lucky to be able to make it back to service!"
Smith, and navigator Glenn Farrant, managed to limp the car back to service where the fantastic crew managed to repair the balljoint. The next two stages were much more fun (and manageable).
"They were fantastic roads! Heather really started to hit her straps on those stages," said Farrant.
After another faultless service by the team, the final stage was a repeat of the first 45km stage and Smith was looking forward to tackling the roads. The car was in great condition, however the stage hadn't held up so well after 140 cars had been over it
previously and in the minutes before Team Stigma hit the road, a hail storm hit the area.
"We started off with a bit of a push, but about 5km into the stage the road became diabolically slippery and extremely difficult to read."
At this point, the team made a calculated decision to drive to finish the rally.
"It was a very risky stage. We had plenty to lose and not a whole lot to achieve by taking unneccessary risks," said Smith.
"We got through the stage ok, a lot slower than we'd hoped, but in the end we are still pleased with our result. We've come in well above our seeding."
The future looks good for Team Stigma!
"We'll be back for another run as soon as we can!"
Team Stigma would like to thank all of their crew, the organisers and volunteers who put the rally on, Hire-A-Hubby, Best Value Signs, Kactus Engineering and Hyundai Motor Company Australia, for all their support in allowing us to be able to attend the Bega Valley Rally!
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