When Merritt’s Nicki Beverley finally dons her racing gear on Friday of this week and climbs into her rally car for Day 1 of the 2011 Pacific Forest Rally, it will almost be with a sense of relief.
Beverley will finally be able to concentrate exclusively on the job of navigating, as co-driver of Little Black Dog (LBD) Racing’s entry in this year’s PFR.
Up until today, Beverley has been juggling so many tasks on behalf of the Canadian Rally Championship event that it would make your head spin.
Beverley has been the Pacific Forest Rally’s ‘frontman’ (so to speak) in Merritt for the past several months: helping to organize accommodations and meals, meeting with local businesses and media, generating community interest and support, and signing up volunteers.
All of the above while still trying to work as a nurse, both at the Merritt hospital and in Kelowna.
“It’s been insane,” states Beverley. “There’s been just so many things to take care of.”
Gathering volunteers has been Beverley’s most important job, and her most challenging.
“We still need a lot more help,” she says. “As it stands right now, we don’t have enough people.
“We’ll still take volunteers right up until Friday and even Saturday,” Beverley adds. “We’ll register and train them right on the spot, at either race headquarters (Best Western Inn) or at the car expose and service park (Canadian Tire).
“Effective today [Thursday], any one interested in volunteering with the Pacific Forest Rally should try to contact Larry Louie at 1-604-710-7107. He has officially taken over for me, and will be in Merritt as of Wednesday.”
Beverley is hugely excited about her own participation in this weekend’s rally, especially since it’s on her own home turf, and in front of hometown fans.”
“I’m totally pumped,” she says. “I can hardly wait. It’s going to be so exciting.”
Behind the wheel of Beverley’s ride is driver Jim Sheppard from North Vancouver. The 2000 Toyota Celica GT-S is actually his car.
This will be Sheppard’s second appearance at the Pacific Forest Rally and Beverley’s first.
