Events : London-Cape Town, day 26

Day 26
Windhoek, Namibia

Jane and Gillian remain a solid 8th place, ahead of numerous modern 4x4s and six-cylinder rally cars, making the Maestro famous

Watching the cars at the end of today’s second World Cup Section, Alastair Caldwell did well, although the four-cylinder Porsche sounds a lot noisier, and John Bayliss, driving Paul Carter, seemed to have the measure of it, lifting the broken Volvo over the worst of the ruts.

Paula and Diane Unwin’s MG ZR stopped on this afternoon’s WCS, apparently with some fuel or engine management problem, delaying their arrival at Windhoek until after the control was closed.

Rene Declercq and Francis Tuthill limped out of the bush with a blown turbocharger on their Hilux.. however the Toyota dealer in Windhoek had it replaced and running again before dinner. A Toyota dealer in Belgium had called up to stress the urgency.

In the morning the teams leave Windhoek and one of the most comfortable hotels so far for a final spot of camping at Ai-Ais tomorrow.

The Girls Across Africa Maestro soldiers on in a safe eighth place. Gill said: ‘We are currently driving on the longest day of the rally. We have over 1000km to cover today along the Caprivi strip from Livingstone in Zambia to Tsumeb in Namibia along probably the most boring road in Africa, although we have seen several elephants on the way which have helped the journey no end.’

Top ten overall

1 14 1h 17m 18 1 E Andy Actman GB Andy Elcomb GB 2010 Toyota Hilux 3000
2 23 1h 18m 43 2 E Steve Blunt GB Bob Duck GB 2006 Subaru Impreza 1994
3 45 2h 56m 18 1 D Joost Van Cauwenberge B Jacques Castelein B 1973 Porsche 911 3000
4 26 3h 24m 08 3 E David Tomlin GB Nicholas Adcock GB 2003 Land Rover Defender TD5 2495
5 33 3h 32m 37 1 B Owen Turner GB Matthew Fowle GB 2002 MG ZR 1589
6 35 3h 42m 33 1 C Alastair Caldwell GB Hayden Burvill AUS 1968 Porsche 912 2000
7 47 3h 50m 36 4 E Patrick Beckers B Egfried Depoorter B 1992 Toyota Landcruiser 80 4200
8 15 4h 15m 27 2 B Jane Edgington GB Gillian Cotton GB 1986 MG Maestro 1598
9 1 4h 56m 51 2 C Richard Atherton GB Rob Henchoz GB 1970 Volvo 144 1998
10 48 6h 25m 36 5 E Eric Claeys B Ben Deleye B 1999 Toyota 73 4200

This is what it's all about. Mike and Ben Dawson, Mk 2 Escort, Namibia

Alastair Caldwell maintains a class-leading position in sixth, but the engine is getting noiser

Andy Actman maintains a very narrow lead - only 40 seconds after nearly four weeks of transcontinental rallying

Jane and Gillian remain a solid 8th place, ahead of numerous modern 4x4s and six-cylinder rally cars, making the Maestro famous

Ralf Weiss and Kurt Schneiders enjoying the spectacular country in Namibia from their comfortable 230E

Seems a long time since Victoria Falls, but the crews have crossed Africa in less than two days

Steve Blunt may take the lead today. He's doing well, and while his Impreza has 4WD, it's not a turbo version

The BAyliss and Carter Voilvo 144 limps onward, looking distinctly battered

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Keith Adams

Editor and creator AROnline at AROnline

Created www.austin-rover.co.uk in 2001 and built it up to become the world's foremost reference source for all things BMC, Leyland and Rover Group, before renaming it AROnline in 2007.

Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...

Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.