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Rally Live: Grand Prix of South America, Day 12

Rally Live: Grand Prix of South America, Day 12

Ayacucho to Huancayo

Well, today was different, and it is an adventure after all. Late breaking news from very late yesterday, was that several of the roads that were there when the original reccee was done in a June of this year, were now not. The winter rains had washed away several roads. The organisers then came up with a novel solution…. all time controls were scrubbed, and participants had the choice of following the original high route, with some minor alterations, or could follow a new, shorter route that mainly followed the valley floor. The majority of the field chose the latter, and the feedback was that the road was truly awesome, with some small gravel sections, and some sheer drops off very tight single carriageway lanes.
An Amazing Dam Was Sighted
Up on the high mountains, the roads twisted and turned, with dramatic scenery.
That Is One Ribbon Of Road.
Both groups of participants reported sightings of The Day of the Dead. That is, where families and communities gather at the local graveyard to remember their relatives. The local people wore colourful clothing and there was an abundance of bright flowers.
Our last photo is one for everyone, as we bumped into a local lady who was herding a flock of sheep and lamas along a quiet road….always moisturise well.
Always Moisturise
Hot off the press are the latest results:
Pre 1950
1st          Car 1 Andrew Davies and Paul Dilley                              9 penalties
2nd        Car 4 Daniel and Rabbia Schlatter                                 56 penalties
3rd         Car 3 Martin Egli, Thomas Kern & Marc Buhofer         622
Post 1950
1st         Car 9 Gerd Buehler and Armin Kneupfing                     24 penalties
2nd       Car 10 Gerold Letzbor and Wolfgang Noelscher          311 penalties
3rd        Car 8 Hans Wartenweiler and Jean Gyr                         625 penalties
In the unofficial Hertz Hire Class, Michael and Sean McInerney are leading with 157 penalties. Watch out though as car 10 is about to change class with the demise of their Mk1 Escort. This will promote car 7 or 11 up a place in the Post 1950 class. And we are only half way through!
And finally, we can all confirm that it can rain in Peru, as in Huancayo, the drive through the town was very, very wet with huge puddles that almost swallowed some of the cars with lower ground clearance, but that the 4x4s just splashed through…..like a child in new wellington boots. Pass me the marmalade sandwich Paddington.