THE INCA TRAIL
the big South American adventure rally
Day 12: Puno Cusco (512km)
Mountains, loops, stunning scenery. No wonder David Garrett was on top of the world. |
Peter Rushforth carries on regardless of local distractions. |
Special welcome for 4x4 crew. |
A glorious day' s driving, through the heartland of the Inca civilisation. The scenery was spectacular, and the farmland took some beating: many competitors commented on the unbelievable gradients that were being cultivated. Put an implement down for a few seconds, it seemed, and it would roll down the hill, unstoppable for 1,000feet or so.
The 4x4s enjoyed the 130km Pisac Explorer section, a long climb looping back and forth again and again. The Classics had 90km of testing driving on the Pisac Medal Section: one of the finest rally sections to be found, and with yet more spectacular scenery.
The route for both categories ended just above Pisac, an Inca settlement, and then, soon after, the ruins of Sacsayhuaman finest of all Inca sites. And then to Cusco, and the final control of the day and of the first leg of the Inca Trail 2001. Yet again, we had a prime location in the central Plaza de Armas, right in front of the cathedral steps.
Flying wings
Tony Mather has been driving his Citroen devoid of a rear wing for the past few days. It popped off on the Sundance Trail Medal section but the crew never knew a thing till they got to the end. A competitor who'd been following saw it happen, but as it was over 50km back the way he'd already come, Tony opted to have a new one flown out to Lima. Let's hope it doesn't get stuck in customs!
Not again!
Poor John Blanckley has put his front wheel out of true for a second time. It was in a terrible state by the time the crew pulled into Cusco Main Control. He hit a rock on the Pisac medal section and this time will need to take the sub-frame out to sort it. But knowing John, after a couple of days off at Cusco, he'll probably bounce back again. Let's hope there's not a rock in the way when he does.
So easily tempted...
Pauline Harris had had enough of mechanical breakages, she decided. Just take it easy to the end of the event ...make sure we get there in one piece. So navigator Ann Locks sorted the way to divert around today's medal section. To avoid getting too many penalties, though, they checked in at the start of the section, intending to turn around and drive Ann's alternative route. 'But then I saw that road in front of me,' said Pauline and I just knew I wanted to drive it. I said to Ann, "Shall we?" - and off we went. I'm so pleased it was brilliant!'
But the last word has to go to David Garrett who burst into rally HQ hotel with these words: 'What a day! Simply the stonkingly bestest day ever. Brilliant scenery ...a Medal Section that was perfect ...and the Inca ruins. What more could we want?'
Welcome back...
...To Leo Schildcamp and Cees Willemse, who caught up with us at the end of today's leg at Cusco main square. True rallying man that he is, Leo handed his timecard in for chipping. 'But where's your car?' asked a beady-eyed marshal. 'Back in Potosi it can't be repaired.' Leo and Cees are keen to continue with the rally could they be an additional passenger in a couple of 4x4s, perhaps?
...To various crews who stayed a day longer in La Paz to sort their cars. But for two of the crews, getting away wasn't so easy. Richard and Diana Dyke Price were all set for the getaway, but rain turned to snow just as they were about to leave. Rick turned on the windscreen wipers and ... nothing. So there was nothing for it but to wait yet another day while they were fixed as well. Sadly, they arrived around 9.30pm in Cusco just too late to meet up with the secretary of the Austin Healey Club, who by coincidence was here on holiday but due to leave tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Howard Seymour and Ann Bennett had sorted out their Range Rover then Howard went down with a bug. So they too were held up in La Paz. But the last we heard Howard was on the mend, and they hope to get to Cusco before we all move on on Saturday.