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Official website: www.londoncapetownrally.com |
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Day
9
9-1-2012
Today started with a
four-hour transport running down the coast and was to have
three world cup stages in the desert sand. The drive down was interesting, in that there are thousands of windmills generating electricity (below) and hundreds of unfinished resorts. Perhaps a GFC problem. |
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About 2km into the first
stage we were bogged for the first time. That was after
getting past three other cars who were bogged sooner than
that. And we were on our own. The others were bogged
together and helping each other.
After a while a Land Rover (a
competitor) came past and we waved the tow rope at him and
he tried to pull us out. Unfortunately he got bogged as well
and lost interest in helping us. Next was a 4WD towing one
of the Porsches.
By now we had attached a
second tow rope so the rescue vehicle could stand off on
more solid ground (perhaps where we should have been
driving) and he got us out.
Sadly a few kilometres later
we found ourselves going in the wrong direction and started
heading cross country (driving across the sand dunes) hoping
to intersect the real road. When we came to it (the road we wanted), we were going down hill at about a 45 degree angle and Mark stopped, as it looked like a sheer drop to the road we wanted. It wasn't, it was just a bit steeper, say 60 degrees and we could drive down it, except we were again bogged. I couldn't believe it. |
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above left: Richard Atherton and Rob Henchov get some hellp from locals above right: Mark powering through the sand below left: several cars bogged. (photos from official website) |
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After a while a local boy
arrived and he and I tried to push. Still no go. Then
another local arrived and with three of us pushing, once it
started, it rolled easily down to the road we wanted. We
lost about 30 minutes.
I expect we will gain a few
spots over the ones who didn't get out as easily
as we did but the 4WDs who didn't get bogged will probably
now be ahead of us.
The second section was
cancelled. They ran the 3rdone
which was only 7 Km and while bumpy there was no real worry
of being bogged or lost.
Tomorrow
is just a drive through Saudi. We have been told cars will
be searched for alcohol. I'd better have a few drinks now. |
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