The Thrill of the RallY
Imbil forest rally

Rallying Adventures in Imbil Forest: A Memorable Journey

Our rallying journey continues, and this time, our destination was Imbil Forest. This rally had a unique twist compared to the others on our list, as we decided to fly down to the Sunshine Coast a few days early to unwind before joining the crew responsible for driving the truck and caravan to Imbil. The fortunate ones who flew got to enjoy a day in Noosa, indulging in a team breakfast, a bit of retail therapy for the girls, and a delightful lunch. Afterward, those who had driven down to meet us picked us up, and we all headed to the race village, which would be our home for the next three days.

Pre-Rally Days: Friday was a relaxed start to the rally adventure. We spent it setting up the service area, cooked lunch together, and took the opportunity to get to know each other better. It was a day filled with camaraderie, laughter, and anticipation for the action-packed days ahead.

Rally Day: Rally day arrived, and with it came the familiar mix of nerves and excitement. We woke up early, enjoyed hearty bacon and egg rolls, and headed to the service area. Eagerly, we awaited the start of the first round, with the service crew and some members of the media team treating themselves to a morning tea full of biscuits and fruit.

As the car sped off to the first round, we held our breath, waiting for the return. When the car rolled back into the service area, we could see the driver and navigator pushing it across the time controls. Nervously, our entire crew ran to help push the car to our bay, ready to assess what work needed to be done. Thanks to the skill and dedication of our service crew, the vehicle was back up and running in time for round two.

With the rest of the rounds completed without any major hiccups, we packed up our service area and headed to the presentations. After an evening of celebrations and a well-deserved dinner, we decided to move closer to the airport to avoid the early morning rush for our 7:00 am flight on Sunday.

A Late-Night Arrival and a Hasty Departure: Arriving at our final destination for the night at 11 pm, exhaustion took over, and we quickly fell asleep. The next morning, our tents were rudely awakened by a series of loud bangs at 4:00 am. Sleepily, we piled into our cars and made our way to the airport. The flight was smooth, and by 9:00 am on Sunday, we were back home, reuniting with our loved ones.

Our adventure at the Imbil Forest Rally was filled with both fun times and new challenges. From the tranquil days leading up to the rally to the adrenaline-pumping moments on the course, it was an experience to remember. As we reflect on our journey, we can't help but feel the excitement building for the next rally. We're more than ready for whatever the rallying world has in store for us, knowing that each rally brings its own unique set of adventures and camaraderie that we wouldn't trade for anything else.

A big thanks to everyone who supported and followed the journey at @MikeCarneyRacing. Visit the team's website to be part of their racing family and relive this thrilling adventure.

This blog post was inspired by a documentary-style video about the Accent Benchtops Rally Queensland 2023. Stay tuned for the full video featuring interviews, insights, and unforgettable moments from this unique event.