Gravel Crew

2002 Laughlin
The Gravel Crews last event of the year came in the form of a full forest race at Ramada Express Hotel & Casino International Rally Laughlin, Nevada on Dec. 13-15, 2002.
Rodney Wills (pilot) Scott G. (navigator) placed 6th in Group 2/5 California Rally Series and placed 17th overall out of 41 in the International Rally.Rodney Wills as pilot along with Scott G. as navigator brought out the Gravel Crew secret weapon Ford Escort ZX2. If Rim of the World Rally is the roughest race, then Laughlin is the next roughest and definitely the fastest for the west coast as Scott G. monitored the Zx2's 105mph (on dirt) with the Terratrip 404. But before the racing begun, Rodney and Scott drove the ZX2 from Costa Mesa, California to Laughlin Nevada for a trip of 285 miles. Driving the car instead of towing the car adds some seriousness to keeping the car on the road during the event in order to make the trip home. Rodney thought this would help him not push so hard and keep the car alive. With well over 500 miles behind Rodney and Scott and on the final stage, Rodney seemed to be pushing harder just after stating that he did not care too much for this stage due to the high speed and sudden blind turns as they were now running this section again as it was a previous stage now run in the opposite direction. The team found that "the next level" is with recce notes. Rodney and Scott found just how important personal detailed notes are when they found a flat out stretch and then crested a hill unmarked in the official rally rout book at 62mph. The road went to the right and Gravel Crew was going straight off the course with fresh gravel in tow for a new picnic area. Upon stopping, both jumped out; Rodney ran up the hill with triangle markers to mark the course for the next cars and Scott began checking the car and creating a path to rock crawl the car back onto the course. This whole incident may be on OLN TV as the HDTV camera guy filmed the off as well as came down to film the two Gravel Crew teammates get the car back on course. With the car back on course the only noticeable minute hindrance was the steering pulling ever so slightly to the right. Great dr suspension and Gravel Crew prep & pit work! And good enough to drive all the way back home.
This race is sanctioned by USAC and follows the FIA rules but allows California Rally Series entries to participate.