Rally Live: Grand Prix of South America, Day 9

Today saw a return to gravel tests alongside a longish tarmac section. The lovely and charming Finella waved the participants off, as she does every morning, giving all a departure time. A brief drive – in the great scheme of the event, of 70km from our hotel found us travelling along a 27km gravel section. The test comprised initially of a tight and twisty section and then opened up into a fast, wide and sweeping gravel road, with a few, how can I put it….. bumpy bits. There were some interesting and unmarked speed bumps – just mind your head if you are in a low slung sporty number. The first test was followed by a link section to take us to the second timed test of the day of 20kms

This section started on tarmac, and what a lovely tarmac road that was! We swept through a series of tight bends and one or two hairpins – spectacular. Called by some of the organising crew The Italian Job, due to the nature of the road. There was then a quick blast down a long straight to meet our motorbike marshalls. What a fab job our 6 boys on bikes are doing. On this topic, we shortly lose 3 of our 6 as we say ‘Farewell and thanks for all your hard work, and your brilliant company’ to Andy, Drew and Jim…we hope to see you on another rally ASAP. We will meet your replacements tomorrow on our rest day.

So, results of the competitive sections for today:

In the pre 1950 class:

1st Car 3 Martín Egli and Thomas Kern

2nd Car 2 Andrew Davies and Paul Dilley

3rd Car 4 Daniel and Rabbia Schlatter

In the 1950 to 1974 class:

1st Car 10 Gerald Letzbor and Wolfgang Noelscher

2nd Car 8 Hans Wartenweiler and Jean Christophe Gyr

3rd Car 11 Christian Trierenberg and Gerd Mirtl

 

So the big story of the day is a change of overall leader to the car sporting the welsh dragon flag of car 2, Andrew Davies and Paul Dilley, in their 1929 Chrysler 75. Go guys, go… proving that age is no restriction to success.

 

Following these tests we entered the world of the tuc-tuc, the speed bump and the road works! Peru, apparently has an abundance of all three. Drivers and navigators had to keep a hawk-like gaze on the road and slap on the brakes to avoid the speed bumps. Some were marked, and some not. If there was not a warning sign, then our advice is to look for the ladies sitting on the side of the road selling everything from cheese (probably lama), red and green drinks (probably an instant diet) and coloured shawls. These ladies are the speed bump give-away, as, when vehicles slow down, they pop up and try and sell you their wares.

 

 

On the topic of road works, several participants came across a road worker with a definite sense of humour. As he was on a high vehicle, spraying the road with water, we waved at him and he sloshed water all over our windscreen – the best car wash EVER. And even stopping to refuel, the petrol stations have the most fabulous views.

 

After a total of 462km we pulled into our hotel, and just to make you sooo jealous, here is a photo of our room in the Tamba Del Inca. I couldn’t fit in the dressing room and bathroom areas. But I’m just off to visit the spa before dinner. Lucky me!