Tuareg Part 2

So the Dune race over and only three more stages to go. Two long days in Morocco and a final stage in Spain. During our last attempt at the Tuareg rally these were the most stressful stages as we nursed our broken car northwards.


This time we were in a great car and in good spirits. After our roll and success in the dune race were placed third in the amateur class and determined not to lose it. During the 6th stage to Missor we crossed the dunes, gambling on track tyre pressures to avoid the need for a stop to inflate. Shrek took it all in his stride delivering us to the secret check point after the dunes, at which point one of his eyes fell out, well ok a headlight. This carefully stowed we charged through the stage with no mishaps.

Inch perfect navigation led us to the road section through the Gorge de Ziz which is really impressive. We were on a bit of a mission and passed the Rally Raid Truck along with many others on route.

On arriving in Missor we fuelled up, zip tied the headlight back in and did a couple of minor adjustments before finding our tent for the night. Fed on omelettes and Moroccan bread we slept well.

The last African stage started by crossing the bridge which had failed earlier in the week. The repair was basic but effective, several bucket loads of rocks dumped in the river. Everyone was in good spirits including the local kids who seemed intent upon exploiting the last blagging opportunities to the max.

A very fast track stage proved largely uneventful for us, but was painful for two Belgians in their new soft top Defender SVX. Their skid and resulting crash was the talk of the docks later when everyone came to admire the newly dented panels and off centre axles, ouch.

Our biggest problem was motorbikes and there were loads of them, we overtook 20 on the track and more at checkpoints. At one point one stopped at a drop into a Oued directly in front of us leaving us with a choice of wiping him out or a 4' jump into the river bed, there's no blood on the car so you can see which option we took. The navigation stages were very picturesque as we entered the greener valleys closer to the coast, much of it quite like the mountains of home, but quieter.

Immediately upon leaving the nav stages it started to rain or should I say RAIN. It was great for us to clean the car after the muddy tracks, but was pretty tough on the bikers who faced a 4 hour wait in the port in wet gear. When we arrived in Nador the roads were like rivers, up to a foot deep in places, really quite exciting! An early load onto the ferry meant we got a full 8 hours sleep before the final stage in Spain, luxury.

The early part of the day was about 50km on roads followed by a very spectacular hair-pinned route up to 800m altitude. The descent was similarly spectacular, but off road. Such was the effectiveness of Lorna's navigation that we passed 5 cars on this section and although it was a nav stage, thus not timed, it was pleasing.

The final special was a 2km sprint down a dry river bed to the sea. We lined up and we set off at 30 second intervals. I was out for a result again and set off with a will, just like everyone else I suspect. When we arrived at the end we were able to relax at the beach for a couple of hours before having some fun at Ben's expense and driving to the Hotel, where two more surprises awaited us.

Firstly the stage result; Amateur and Pro winning times were exactly the same to a 100th of a second, so Paul and I had tied, what a way to end the race. Secondly Martin 'off the telly' decided it would be fun to do a duet at the prize giving. So with about one and a half hours to go we got together, sorted out words and music. I played another song before our double act and a sympathetic audience gave us great support.

So prize in hand, third place, and a victory in every stage but one - you remember that one ;o) - I finally gave in to fatigue and was forced to seek out my bed whilst the lady without her clothes entertained the bikers.

Another Tuareg over, another crash and another trophy, new friendships made, old ones strengthened. However much I hate this sport I love it. What next, any suggestions? Meanwhile I have some training to do for a 175km bike race at the end of June, oh and some work to do too. A busy life is a good one I guess.

Cheers
Fruit and Lorna