Events : London-Cape Town, day 12

Keith Adams

After two sweltering days in Saudi Arabia, the teams have re-crossed the Red Sea, and are now back in Africa.

Dust, dust as far as the eye can see.
Dust, dust as far as the eye can see.

Day 12
Gedaref, Sudan

It took 2.5 hours after the ferry docked for all cars to clear customs and immigration and by 4.30 the first cars set out for the 700kms across a dusty desert to the market town of Gedaref. David Hiscox in the Datsun 240z was sidelined for a while with overheating after the electric fan stopped working. Dave Gough and Richard Phillipson, Peugeot 504, stopped with a puncture after hitting a pothole. The potholes were vicious for first 200km. The pre war Vauxhall of James and Max Stephenson strides down it all averaging 100km/h. Marc Buchanan and Charles Green, Jeep Wrangler are running slow and steady.

Eric Claeys and Ben Deleye, Toyota 73 have had the biggest drama reported so far, hitting a donkey asleep on the warm tarmac which has stoved in the radiator… we have been running in the dark for most of the time. By midnight 20 crews had reached the hotel after what has been an easy run. If the Vauxhall can romp along cruising at 60mph then those not here have clearly opted to take it even more steady. The road quality improved visibly after passing the town of Kassala.

(Pictures to follow)

Top five overall

1 14 41m 48 1 E Andy Actman GB Andy Elcomb GB 2010 Toyota Hilux 3000
2 23 47m 10 2 E Steve Blunt GB Bob Duck GB 2006 Subaru Impreza 1994
3 17 1h 05m 33 1 D Renger Guliker NL Pim ‘t Hart NL 1985 BMW M535I 3406
4 33 1h 10m 06 1 B Owen Turner GB Matthew Fowle GB 2002 MG ZR 1589
5 15 1h 39m 04 2 B Jane Edgington GB Gillian Cotton GB 1986 MG Maestro 1598

Keith Adams

1 Comment

  1. I’ve been following this rally from the start.

    Having been involved in sourcing and supplying parts for the car, I cannot praise Tony Fowkes and his team highly enough for the work they have done.

    From the rally reports on the L to CT web site, it seems that all that hard work has paid off.

    Many of the other competitors have suffered mechanical failure as well as body damage throughout the first 10 days, where the girls Maestro has proved as sturdy and reliable as Mans best friend!.

    The girls have proven themselves more than a match against the other drivers, and the more powerful cars to maintain a good position overall, as well as a constant 2nd in class.

    I wish them well in the coming days and hope there good luck and skill maintains it’s high levels for a great final result.

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