Upper Sandusky, Ohio -- Team Paradox and the RallyRhybuddRacing program opened their 2002 rally season at the two Sandhills Sandblast rallies on January 12. These two ClubRally events were run on the sandy roads outside of Cheraw, South Carolina. The Team, the 2001 Central Division Group 2 champs, saw the rallies as an opportunity to test some recently made modifications to the car, as well as a warm-up for the upcoming ClubRally National Championship rally in February.

Generally mild and clear weather following snows the week earlier meant the sandy roads were reasonably solid and smooth for the early stages. As the stages were each used twice, however, the second running of the stages saw them degrade into heavily rutted loose sand, creating conditions much more difficult for the MGBGT, and even slowing many of the powerful all-wheel-drive cars. The final two stages of the second rally would have been run in the rain, creating even more difficult conditions. However they were cancelled due to route confusion by some of the competitors earlier on the road. Despite the highly variable road conditions and brisk competition, the Team took third in Group 2 in the first rally, and fourth in Group 2 in the truncated second rally. Randy Bailey and Will Perry won the Group 2 contest in both rallies with a solid drive in their Impulse.

Having had what they regard as a successful run in Cheraw, Team Paradox returns to the Smith MG Garage to prepare the car for the upcoming 100 Acre Wood rally in Salem, MO. The ClubRally National Championship rally will be run in conjunction with this rally, and several Historic Class cars will be entering the event. If so, it will be the first ClubRally since the creation of the Historic Class in which Historic Class competition will be recognized.

The RallyRhybuddRacing program was launched in 1997 by dedicated MG enthusiasts Phil and Dallas Smith, aka Team Paradox, to campaign an MG in the SCCA Performance Rally series. Two years were required to find and prepare a 1968 BGT for the rigors of Performance Rally. Team Paradox made their ProRally debut at the Susquehannock Trail ProRally in 1999. As the Team’s rally skills and car preparation knowledge increases, a more aggressive rally schedule has been pursued each year. Their 2002 plans also include continuing to help build and support the year-old Historic Class in Performance Rally.

For further information about RallyRhybuddRacing, Team Paradox, and the rally MGBGT, check out their website at www.rhybudd.com. Information about the SCCA Performance Rally series can be found at www.scca.com.