THE INCA TRAIL

the big South American adventure rally

Day 47: Mar del Plata - Buenos Aires (516km)

Was all that water only yesterday? Bill Secrest enjoys fresh air and improved grip.

Flooding made today's gravel Medal and Explorer Sections as impassable as yesterday's: a final attempt by a HERO crew took therm two hours to cover 14 km.

But by way of recompense, the Classic Reliability Trial crews got not one, but two additional circuit tests - first at the Autodromo Mar del Plata and then a return to the charming Autodromo JM Fangio.

But what a change: the sky was bright and the sun shining from early morning, and both circuits a joy to drive. To add spice to the challenge, the JM Fangio circuit was driven in the opposite direction, to yesterday, though the dry surface and excellent visibility was sufficent to make it a brand new experience since yesterday afternoon.

The final run of the day took crews into Buenos Aires, Argentina's capital city. A chance to relax a little, and begin to think of home, perhaps: just eight more days to go now in what must count as one of the toughest classic car events ever.

Just to prove the point, John Blanckley's long-suffering A90 put in its own protest at Mar del Plata circuit. After its initial time-setting lap, they ground to a rapid halt: a wheel had detached itself. They managed to bodge it back together, but to Tony Davies' sadness they got penalised for stopping on the test ...