Paving the Inca Trail In October and November 2001, six South American countries will host a 25,000km rally for classic cars and modern 4x4s - The Inca Trail, organised by HERO - the Historic Endurance Rallying Organisation. Some 100 crews are preparing to drive through Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Chile and Uruguay on some of the world’s most challenging rally roads. They start from Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Fort on 6 October 2001 for an event lasting a total of 55 days. Already, British organiser John Brown, the mastermind behind the South American leg of the 1970 London - Mexico World Cup Rally, is assured of the warmest of welcomes. Car clubs all around the route are set to help run special sections. Tourism offices at national and local level have in turn pledged their support wherever the rally goes. Several countries have declared the rally to be an event of national importance to tourism. With nearly a year to go, the entry list is virtually complete: just a handful of places remain with priority for crews driving classic cars built before 1940. Entrants come from all over Europe and the United States, with cars ranging from a 1927 Lagonda to a BMW X-5 to be registered in 2001. Entries from South American crews are more than welcome. Following his four month long trip at the beginning of this year to establish the full route for the event, HERO chief John Brown is currently on a three week visit to Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay for meetings with car clubs, tourism officials and British Embassy staff to help pave the way for the Inca Trail’s success.

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