Alaska to Mexico Marathon.

The event beginning in Leavenworth was day one for us but the 12th day for rally proper.

It started on the evening of the 7th Sept as the participants began arriving from the days travel. Dusty and some people tired looking.

It was good to see those that we had enjoyed previous rally’s with and to meet others new.

Up until this time we had not received any information in respect of operating manuals, road books, time cards etc so there was a real need to brush up on what to do and how to understand the workings of an organised rally. We hadn’t been active in this scene since 2019. There were a number of changes of operations also so it was “back to school”

We had a lot of information to digest including finding out what time we needed to kick off in the morning. The event was to start at 8.30am and at minute intervals cars would depart.

We started at 9.01am ie 30 cars ahead of us. And headed into the bush and rough gravel road to partake in the first regularity of the day, a short 10 k average speed event consisting of a 5km at 35 km per hour the 50 km per hour to the finish. It was a self starter. We pulled behind one ready to go. Waited the one minute and began our run. Off.

But not long and we had caught up to the car in font and looked for how we could pass. No show.

Then at the 5km mark he took off and we didn’t see him again even though we too sped up to the 50 speed. The road was way too rough for the designated speed we were to achieve in our opinion.

Then the penny dropped. We had not adjusted the GPS to read out in km’s. It was reading miles!!

Onto the “Planned Diversion”. A short speed run of approx 3kms with a sharp downhill left hook on the end. It was well described but apparently some cars didn’t quite make it in one turn. We made it ok and it was a fun event.

The next regularity didn’t pan out all that well either as the navigator hadn’t read up on how this was all to work. Accordingly, it didn’t work out. But a quick word to one in the know at the afternoon tea stop en route, we acquired further info as to the operation of the regularity charts.

The last regularity was ok. We partook in a fashion that looked like we knew what to do and finished in a respectable manner.

Then off to the hotel in WallaWalla, Washington state. Checked in etc.

This is a huge country. The many scenes are reminiscent of areas in nz. The roads though are very much better. Even the gravel roads are better than some of our sealed roads in nz

Our second day tomorrow, which I’ll refer to as per the formal rally will be day 13.

It will take us to Boise in Idaho State there will be three regularities to test us. And it will cover nearly 500 kms.

The day starts at 7.30 am. We will start at at 8.01.

Should be a fun day.