Steve Nowicki at the wheel of the Team Harco Talon at STPR 2000. Scott Harvey assumes navigator duties. Photo by Don DeRose.

STPR is one of the premier Performance Rallies in North America. With this in mind, I answered a plea from Steve Nowicki, who was looking for a car to rent for the rally. Budget issues would have prevented Team Harco from competing, but with the potential of a rental, the opportunity to compete now seemed to be a possibility. After a little negotiation, an agreement was reached. Basically, Steve would cover expenses, and Team Harco would provide the vehicle.

Over the river and through the woods. Another shot from STPR 2000. Photo source unknown.

Due to Steve's strong record of finishing near the top, we were seeded 12th. The first few stages went well, and we were holding station in the top 20. Steve did not seem to be pushing real hard, and the car was performing well (with the exception of the brakes). This was only my second time as a navigator. Not since my first rally in 1981, when I navigated for my father for the first few stages of a rally in Indiana, had I been called on to take the right side seat. I don't think I could get complacent as a navigator, but I felt comfortable riding with Steve.

Steve Nowicki (facing camera) stands beside his handiwork. Scott Harvey wanders about wondering why. Photo by Aaron Fuhrer.

All seemed well until, mid-way through stage 4, an off-camber downhill gentle left caught us a little too far to the right. When I looked up, I could see we were headed toward a tree on my side. Just when I thought Steve had the car rotated enough to clear it, we hit. The right rear struck the tree and pivoted us through 180 degrees, so we were again perpendicular to the road. We nosed down the bank and spent the next two hours watching the remaining cars come past. We were not hurt, and the car suffered only body damage. The only thing preventing us from continuing was the fact that we couldn't climb the bank to get back on the road.

Unimog to the rescue. A quick yank and we were back on the road. We then proceeded to drive to the end of the stage and then we found our service crew and the beer cooler. Photo by Aaron Fuhrer.

Though our rally was a short one, I gained valuable knowledge of the roads at STPR and had a chance to see how the car will perform when driven by a more experienced racer. I have no regrets and appreciate the opportunity that Steve Nowicki provided me.