Holly crap what a start, rain & steep slopes = Bob sled

on the 1st stage we slipped our way down to the bottom then got onto the faster dirt to get going only to slide around on a few corners (marshals had put up slippery signs

to warn us) , we pulled over to let one of the faster teams go by and we slammed into a hidden stump

(thank god for seat belts) got to the end of stage 1 all good.
Stages 2 was a quick one, drop into the creek (3ft) turn right go up the creek nudge the log across the creek, reverse back to the start and drive/winch up the embankement - easy.
We start with the count down then I jump out to get the tree tunk protector around the tree for the winch out, Jason driving, Leeham naving (3 in our car), they dropped off easily, cruised up the creek nice & slow, got to the log (water half way up the 80's doors now. Jason snatches reverse, lets the clutch out and the 80 starts going backwards for 10ft then the clutch wouldn't grab

the motors running fine under water (350 petrol), all attempts to get the clutch to engage were attempted but no go

. By now the 80's got water half way up the doors - inside and out

and it's FREEZING.
I'm on the bank watching the Titanic all over again !!!! I call for the recovery vehicle to get us out ------ NO recovery car

.
So Bidders is next comp vehicle in line and he jumps straight in to recover us (Awsome effort bidders

what beer do you drink cos a slabs coming your way) . We got the 80 out of the deep water with the motor never missing a beat, reved it for a couple of minutes and the clutch decides to work

but it's wet as inside with water all over the ECU and all electrics going haywire. Jason drives up to the ledge and we winch out. Thats us out for the night, later on we find the gear box has filled up with water and we have to drain it & fill up with good stuff .
We ended up watching a few do this stage, after us there was a GQ that had winch problems and DNF'd, the Rangie scream through, winched out but blew the lights through the deep water, another 80 series went through but tore off the spare wheel carrier on the entry (carnage

) and the rest decided not to do this stage (we should've decided that too) .
After all our hassles we limped home (with wet bums & feet) by 5.30 am.
What a bummer we didn't get to do the other stages.
I've heard that the event was called off on Lady Sutton Manour track due to the ON-TRACK car rolling 5 times

(Hope there alright) and others having major breakages.
Some-one will have more info soon.