THE INCA TRAIL
the big South American adventure rally
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Chris Denham's Alvis Grey Lady just liberated from Brazilian customs
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Cars are assembling at Copacabana Fort, ready for the 7.00am start on Saturday 6 October. Behind the military entrance on a short promontory lies the starting point for the Inca Trail: a spot that commands the most beautiful and unimpeded view across Copacabana Bay to the Sugar Loaf mountain.
From here, cars will leave the Fort and turn right onto the sea front - to drive the road alongside the massive crescent sweep of the white sand beach.
That will be the start of the great rallying adventure of 2001, as crews head off at last on the first leg of the route: 542 km that will take them through the Serra dos Orgãos national park and the province of Minas Gerais to our first overnight halt at the beautiful colonial town of Ouro Preto. After all the months of planning and preparation, it will have been well worth the wait.
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January 2000: John Brown and Tim 'Jingers' Riley on the start line, about to set out on the event route survey
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And the same goes for the 4x4s: although they are not competing against one another, their crews want to relax and enjoy this chance to explore six of the most fascinating countries of South America.
Let the great adventure begin!
Bart Rietbergen's 'Kermit' waiting for the scrutineer at Copacabana Fort
Oldest 4x4 on the event, 1961 Land Rover, receives detailed attention from event scrutineer Peter Elliott.
Many 4x4s and classics are beautifully presented