Rally Live: Grand Prix of South America, Day 10

As we approach halfway through the rally, we all took a well earned rest day. Well, again, several participants and crew took a rest day, several chugged on, working on their cars. As usual, at this point, Toby and Ian, our two on-hand mechanics had several minor repairs to assist participants with. They were seen with heads under the bonnet of the Volvo Amazon, snooping around the TR4 and noticing a slow puncture on crew vehicle B.

Getting Your Tyre Patched At A Local Garage… Not ATS.

Please take time to appreciate all the photos on our website and social media as Jamie, Paul and Robin all spent their day off snapping stills and video to give us all a visual flavour of the Rally of South America (I’m looking forward of some lovely airbrushed photos of me for that tribute!).

Several participants and crew took the opportunity to get up especially early and catch a train and then a bus up the steep mountain road to Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site from 1983, and in 2007 it was voted as one of the seven wonders of the modern world. Abandoned by the Incas around 1450, always known to the local population and rediscovered by Hiram Bingham in 1911, it was invaded by our mob today….let’s hope it survived!

Machu Picchu Appears From The Mist.

Some people hopped into their vehicles and drove the 55km to Cusco (like they needed to drive on a non driving day?). Admittedly the city, which was once the capital of the Inca empire is very attractive, with its wooden balconies and square with a mix of shops, cafes and churches, and it has a good driving road to get there.

Cusco only 110km round trip. Nice Drive.

Let’s not forget it’s Hallowe’en today, so will someone tell me, please, who is this who has gone completely mad with their make up?  And is he/she putting a hand/claw up for another Pisco Sour?

Mine’s A Pisco Sour… Por Favor.

An early night is recommended for everyone as it’s a huge day tomorrow, with a long route, timed tests and up and down mountains. Not forgetting popping in and out of high altitude. But… if it was easy, then there would be no challenge and everyone would be doing it. A 10,000km rally is not for the faint-hearted!