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Above: Roger and Michael Stevens in their Seat Ibiza Day 9 & 10 - Ouarzarzate to Marrakech Each day has been different from the others on the London to Dakar World Cup, and each test section presents a unique challenge that often favours different types of vehicle. The first test on Day 9 actually drove through the World Heritage village of Ait Benhaddou and was definitely one for the 'stage rally' cars. The smooth, flat gravel allowed the more powerful cars to 'let rip' and, unsurprisingly, the quickest being an Escort. Surprising however, was the 'maximum time' that current leaders, Iain Freestone and Rod Maclean, picked up in the other Escort after suffering a serious oil leak. After stopping mid stage to repair it, they lost a lot of time and only avoided further road penalties at the next time control by a mere 30 seconds. Their day continued to disappoint because on the second test they misread a hairpin bend, which also had a side road, and lost time exploring the wrong track. This has given the lead in the 'Classic World Cup' to Angus Stamper and Mark L'Anson who where fastest all day. Paul and Sandra Merryweather, exploiting their temporary suspension repair, finally found the pace and were quickest hatch. The second test was a steep, smooth hillclimb with a generous layer of very slippery and power sapping gravel. Expecting this 'Pikes Peak' style climb to favour the vehicles with all the grunt, it was very impressive that Andy Actman and Catriona Rings managed to get the little Daihatsu Sirion to the top - second fastest overall - and fastest hatchback. After retiring from last years event with a parts failure while leading the entire event, they had set a conservative pace for this event to help get the car to the finish. Having achieved two fast times today they have clearly decided turn up the wick for a good result as well. Roger and Michael Stevens suffered an over heating problem in the Seat Ibiza and experienced the frustration of sitting half way up the hill until it cooled down. Many other vehicles found the going tough and by the time they reached the end, at an altitude of over 2000metres, their engines were gasping for air. Phil and Lee Collins became stranded on a super tight and uphill corner after an attempted snatch into first gear left the gearbox seriously jammed in neutral. They arrived at Marrakesh late, and on the end Peter Banhams tow-rope having travelled hundreds of kilometres more than everybody else. The Police had refused to let them tow another vehicle over the awesome Tizi-n-Test mountain pass and they had to come via Agadir on the coast. Those that completed the test continued via a long and gruelling narrow mountain track that clung to the side of mountain after mountain. The sights and views where breathtaking - but then so where the sheer drops to distant valleys below. The scenery continued to change bewilderingly from barren moonscape on the top, to lush and fertile terraced valleys at the bottom, then through eerie hillside villages where time has seemingly stood still, to colourful little communities full of excited children and so on. It finally joined the tarmac next to a lake which has a mosque that becomes completely submerged after the mountain thaws and the water rises. The track was long, bumpy and exhausting and Klaus and Maja Von Deylan, who intended to bypass this part of the route in their immaculate VW Beetle, inadvertently found themselves 'on route' but pressed on regardless. Fortunately, by the end, they were very glad to have indulged in the wonderful experience. Rejoining the tarmac there was general relief at merely having a simple tarmac run into Marrakesh before the well-earned day off. Wrong!... Between that point and the city lies the legendary Tizi-n-Test. And, for those that had never driven here before, the first clue came from a road sign that, below the symbol for an 'S' bend, had 'For next 120Km' included. It must surely be one of the longest stretches of continually linked turns in the world and climbs to over 2000metres. With big patches of ice on the shady side, and huge drops everywhere, it is an intense driving experience. Hats off to Felix Wright who drove it all with broken power steering! It was a long day and the 'day off' feels earned. Some will explore this fascinating and ancient city and soak up the concentrated atmosphere at the medina this evening. Many will be servicing and repairing. With the exception of those such as Nicky Porter, who's well driven and well prepared car needed no more than a wash, some are unlucky enough to require complete gearbox changes and the like. |
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