Hawke's Bay rally driver Stewart "Lizard" Taylor and bald guy Nick "Dodgy" Allan have hooked up for their first joint thrust at Targa Regional Rally glory.
Taylor and Allan, who terrorised the streets of the Bay as teenagers in their parents' Mk IV Cortinas and have been friends for 27 years, have pulled off the miraculous by just entering.
With 5 kids, a wife, two girlfriends, two businesses to run and living in different parts of the country, combining chi's wasn't easy.
Taylor, with numerous NZ Rally event wins under his belt, including taking out top honours in the 2014 Rally Extreme Series, is no stranger to Targa and has a trophy room only second in bling to Smaug's hoard under The Lonely Mountain (Erebor).
When asked about this year's event he says, "It's just another day in the office ... I'll commute back from watching the Rugby World Cup in the UK in time for race formalities and then it's just business as usual, you know, try and push that pedal through the floor, ha ha ha ..."
Allan, who spent several years overseas, has experienced some of Australasia's best circuits including Sepang, Bathurst and even Oran Park before its closure and has enjoyed co-driving in previous Targas also.
With a trophy shelf more like his eccentric grandmother's chipped saucer collection, he is confident they are up to the task.
"I'm really looking forward to channelling our combined experience into one common goal, like a train into a tunnel. Having been more circuit oriented, I'm happy to give Stu a few pointers on good tarmac race lines, and with his experience in rallying and these roads, when we take to the paddocks there will be no lifting off, it will be maximum attack all the way ... well we might just go ten-tenths to start."
Although having chased many rallies back in the day and participating in the odd event in different vehicles, the pair have never actually competed together. Allan says an event like this is a real opportunity to bond, especially on the overnighters with the crew.
"I imagine we will exit the last control of the day, help each other out of our sweaty overalls after a day being pounded in the saddle, and sit back while the boys lube the mechanicals."
Allan also has plenty of experience lubing the mechanicals as he has worked in Taylor's Service Crew in the past, picking up the primary skill of cleaning Powerade vomits from Taylor's other not so experienced (and clearly not up to this task) co-driver's workspace.
The weapon of choice is an ex-Giltrap commissioned Audi S3 4WD which has been fettled by 'Big' Stu Moore.
"It's been a labour of love," says Moore. "I know more about this car's insides than anyone's, and I have made a few special 'Big' mods to get that bit of extra performance. For example, having the steering wheel on the right to compensate for Allan's bigger frame on the left-hand side was a no-brainer.
"I'm not sure how that Haldex thingy works, but I know it's tough so at least Lizard won't break it. Should be a good event if the boys don't end up upside down Duncan Brown in a paddock somewhere."
With some much faster and more expensive machinery to contend with the boys are quietly confident.
"It's always fun taking it to the big guys in a hairdresser's car, their eyes always pop open as you come up behind," explains Taylor.
"We also want to say thanks to our supporters, families, girlfriends' families and if you are around the Manawatu or Hawke's Bay next weekend, come and say hi!"
The regional rally is a competitive event held on the last two days of the week-long Targa Rally, starting in Palmerston North on Friday, October 30, heading up to the Bay for an overnight and back to Palmy on the next day.