Stephen Mee aka SMEE

My first foray into rallying was with my then girl friend. She had been involved in the sport for a number of years before I met her. I was more a sports jock playing rep hockey and throwing heavy implements into an empty field. Amazing the damage you can do with a hammer.

As a Gemini fan, I built up a TE Gemini series car bought for $200 from a work friend. I tried to do as much work as possible myself. Sprayed the car in the garage but had the cage built by Rod Kilby. My girlfriend was the only one to compete in this car. I rolled it on one of the last stages as explained elsewhere whilst doing sweep duties.
A new one was sourced. (actually found 2 for $50 over the quiet Christmas break in Canberra) Fellow had been trying to sell them for months without luck. One of these was built up in 6 weeks for the first round of the ACT series. We finished the series, but the car, as we later found out, was full of rust and had cracked a sill. A new TX was built. We finished the ACT series in 3rd and onsold it. This car is still currently going strong . Not bad for an IT buildup.

After much deliberation and searching, along with not wanting the same car as everybody else, I purchased a Red Familia import and engine from another competitor in Canberra. He was looking to get out of the sport, but also for money as his wedding was coming up. I also had another one turn up (Black) from central Victoria. The black one was selected and on we went. The red one was sold for a restoration project + it had a sunroof. Not much use for one in a rally car.
A big build up ensued. As before most of the work was done by myself. The cage, Autronic wireup and brake conversion being the only things outsourced.

The buildup can be found here.
http://mcm.smugmug.com/Cars/Rally-Car-Buildup/1751563_PkRqm#86716063_PF5Gd

After moving from Canberra to Adelaide there was a bit of a layoff whilst we got things in hand. During the layoff between 2007 and 2009, the Familia was freshened up with new paint, engine internals, turbo, sundry items and shortly, a new gearbox.

Our first trial run after completing the 2006 season in NSW was at the 2009 National Capital Rally back in Canberra.
We trailered the car over, only to do 2 stages before the heat (40+ degrees) and stress caused a gearbox failure ripping teeth off 1st gear and punching the main shaft through the casing. (Not an uncommon occurrence for these vehicles, but a first for me) 3rd gear has always been my downfall.

The 2010 season saw myself tempt Damian Reed as navigator compete in Clubman at Kuitpo.

I have previously competed with my wife Fiona McCubbin-Mee.
Fiona was Chief Safety officer for the Rally of Canberra for a number of years along with East Coast Classic. She has also been director for numerous NSW Club and State rounds including Nat Cap and Braidwood. Fiona has also navigated for a number of drivers in NSW and the ACT before offering to sit next to me.

I am not used to doing any pace noted events and not really a fan (Rally of Canberra being my one an only event) as the Eastern States tend to run blind and then pull out notes as a special feature. With rallying in Australia being more a hobby for most people it is seen as a cost cutting measure in those areas. This I feel attracts people into the sport.
If someone wanted to get in but was told you will also need two weekends plus the rally weekend and maybe a second car to create your pacenotes, it may seem less attractive due to costs. Just my thoughts with shrinking fields all over.
Hit and miss about Tarmac.
I am set up with the required wheels, tyres but no suspension changes. This has again added another cost to competition with the purchase of this equipment. Here's hoping I can get a few seasons out of the tyres, and just not the one event. Not an added value to the championship from where I sit.

We currently have Sponsorship from City Southside Real Estate for the 2011 Season.
Watch for the team members around the service parks and event areas in the bright Purple and Orange polo shirts.

We are also happy to be supported by Total Traction Services Canberra whom provide information and assistance with parts purchases and Snap-On Fyshwick in the ACT for tool deals.
Classic Performance in Hackham have also provided us with a strong tune for the SMC controlled Mazda engine.