THE INCA TRAIL

the big South American adventure rally

Day 55: Guaruja - Rio de Janeiro (561km)

Nearing the end of their 25,000km drive to the altar ... Mike, Rita and their two wedding rings head for Rio.

Pat Brooks' Buick Rendezvous is first 4x4 to be flagged across the line

Alan Smith reminds us all that Christmas is just around the corner

The final day - and a glorious drive along one of the world's most beautiful coastal highways. With no competitive sections for the Classic Reliability Trial, this was a last opportunity for everyone to gaze long and hard at the South American landscape, and to enjoy a halt at the little old port of Paraty - old colonial Brazil at its best. Small roads along the final part of the coastline meant we kept the sea in sight for as long as we possibly could, while the views of Rio came closer. Then along the Avenida Niemayer - one-time part of the Brazilian Grand Prix circuit in the days when they raced the streets.

First 4x4 across Copacabana Fort's celebratory finishing line at 4.10pm was the 2002 Buick Rendezvous of Pat Brooks and Kevin Clemens. They were greeted by Larry Gustin, head of public relations for General Motors' Buick Division. Larry flew in in a private capacity during vacation time, determined to beat a GM ban on business flights post-September 11. 'The Buick has given remarkably little trouble throughout the tough endurance test it's been put through,' reports Pat. 'The worst thing has been shock absorbers - but we've worked our way around that - as have many others on the Inca Trail.'

The trickle of early 4x4s accelerated - and then in their wake came the classic cars on their time schedule, but keen enough to savour their triumphant return. First to take the chequered flag, at 4.58pm, was the Mercedes 250SL of Paul Merryweather and Sandra Deacon. Paul and Sandra haven't had the easiest of rallies. After they'd hung onto Gold medal status longer than most, cambelt and timing problems threw them out of contention. But things got worse when damaged camshafts were diagnosed too: they missed several days of the event while replacements were sourced and installed. Back on the road again they made good their absence by taking the lead in their class on Leg 4. They had to be resourceful, though, as a broken throttle linkage on the Medal Section two days ago threatened to delay them. They had to stop four or five times to put it back in place - and still managed to come in with four minutes to spare before Paul could do something more permanent with a cable tie.

Next came Paul and Mary Kane, who just failed to cling on to 'pure Gold' - a faultless performance on competitive sections tarnished at last on Uruguay's rain-drenched El Pinar circuit. But their slip opened the door to Bart and Jolijn Rietbergen: they too crossed the finishing line to claim Gold, having just one fail against the exacting Gold standard, the same as the Kanes - and therefore restored from Silver status.

Champagne in hand, congratulations to each crew from John Brown on behalf of HERO, music and dancing, friends and family waiting to greet many competitors. And among those waiting to cheer the cars home were Patsy and David Mitchell. They flew in from New Zealand to share in the celebrations, determined to enjoy the finish after being knocked out by a road accident in Peru. It was good to see them. They were delighted to be able to revive friendships struck up on the Inca Trail and give personal thanks to event medic Greg Williams who did so much to minimise the damage to Patsy' s foot right after their crash.

For Mike Knox and Rita Shelley it was the end of a very special drive. Their 25,000km must have been one of the longest-ever drives to the altar, carrying two wedding rings with them all the way. They got engaged at the end of London - Cape Town in 1998, and very nearly three years to the day they've made all the arrangements to be married in Rio on November 30. 'We kept on checking those wedding rings were there,' says Rita. Even though we had our bags stolen along the way, they were still safe. Let's hope it's a good omen.'

The flow of cars across the line was stopped for a while though as the expected arrival by helicopter of the President of Brazil took place. So the Inca Trail chequered flag was waved again, as a welcome gesture to the President and his aides before his motorcade took him off to his official engagements.

This tough and most demanding of events - for both classics and 4x4s - has come to an end after 55 days and more than 25,000km. It was billed as a journey to discover South America - it certainly has been that - and as one of the toughest in the world. Most competitors will surely agree that it has been THE toughest.

And now, time to relax, to savour the moment of arrival, and reflect. Almost all made it through to the end. Some achievement in itself - and, for those who've done well, yet more cause to celebrate.