Welcome Viewers to the New Zealand Rally and
these exclusive shots by BRB at Mystery Creek
and the Ceremonial Start with Meet the Drivers
in Hamilton City. Brigit gets a bit nervous with
large events so we zipped her out to Mystery
Creek late in the afternoon (29th August) for a
wander round and a helping hand with a crash
course in the world of WRC. Then she got a taste
of gravel roads rally style to test her fear factor, and
of course how steady she could
hold her camera.
For those who thought Brigit's first Motor Sport
event and photo was from the motorcycle street racing known as the Battle of the
Streets held at Paeroa in 2003, think again
because
Brigit's first ever motor sport photo was
the lead car at the New
Zealand Rothman's Rally on Paerata Ridge
Road, Opotiki in 1989. She recalls the dirt
and gravel spray being awesome to watch when the
cars came flying around the corner and
along the
road she lived on. These few photos might be
absolute 'crap' as Brigit tells it but reveal
her latent natural talents in motor sport
photography and the girls passion for
gravel
roads 17 years ago.
After looking at Brigit's first set of photos, we hope
you enjoy from behind the scenes in the pits and these
exclusive shots from New Zealand Rally 2007.
Brigit was on the Ruapuke Road September 2nd for
the Raglan Rally stage and we'll have some BRB
gravel action shots soon.
Italy's Top Run Racing Team has released their
photos and exclusive with BRB. Thumbs up girl.
2nd
September 2007
Ruapuke Road in Raglan 'The Puke Point'
The
weather wasn't too good in the morning and
everyone was ducking for cover after one big
heavy downfall of rain before the first race.
The rest of the day just got better and when the Rally cars began
to come through the atmosphere was high energy
and literally raining gravel.
About 40-60 spectators and supporters from
different countries made it to this area before the Ruapuke road was
officially closed at 8am on Sunday morning. Some
spectators and supporters camped over night to ensure a prime
spot but they only found out how cold and wet this
hill can get with the wind blowing all night and
no shelter. The Gravel Rock Crew and Brigit roll in the
gate at daylight and if the coffee brewing and
smell of bacon didn't get everyone up, the
incoming choppers soon did.
One Official WRC Photographer arrives and it
wouldn't have been too hard to figure out this
was a happening place to be from the air because
you couldn't miss the Russian flag flying on
this hill top. Brigit was heard asking, who's
got the bloody Kiwi flag because the only flag
she's got in her bag is an American
Harley-Davidson flag, will that do? This is so
typical of Brigit and if she had her way it
would've been flying right next to this flag to
cheer on 'Block' from USA. Everyone was in good
spirits and plenty of entertainment
between rally cars on this corner.
Brigit will have to suit up with a SWAT vest
next time she does a Rally event because she
found out gravel more than stings when it hits
at the speed of a bullet. An Englishman (Mike)
standing closest to Brigit said when she stepped
up to the spot she chose on the corner it was as
far to the edge as anyone didn't want to be and
she just stood there with her feet straddled
totally psyched. When the rally car came into
view she's action in motion because that's scary
shit when the cars are sliding and you don't
know which way it's going to go that's for sure.
Mike heard the good sized piece of gravel
whizzing through the air and make contact like a bullet.
The look on her face was priceless. Ouch!! She's
just been shot in the ass and toting a nice
Solberg memento for this event.
This event was a challenge for this Kiwi
girl and she was itching to be out there and try
Rally racing on these New Zealand gravel winding
roads. Well done girl and great effort.
