Category: Endurorally

This report is short due to the authors incompetence with technology.
Having written it out twice the reports have “disappeared ” miraculously.
So quickly, before we commence the second day this is how the first day eventuates.
Denise has the chance to show off her ability today after so many hours of preparation. She looks good and rearing to go. We’ve been allocated a slot to start at 9.30am and it’s raining. We are both ready to get underway and being Sunday the traffic is minimal.

The flag goes down and we head south for a couple of hundred kms on Tarmac out of the city to a race track at Autodrome Mouras. A sealed track we were required to get around twice as fast as we could manage. We did ok and Denise performed really well. Plenty of power when required though we weren’t going to push her too hard when just starting out.
Then onto a Regularity section of 30kms on a sandy dirt road that was dry and had lots of large ruts in the surface.
Good going and we did good times traveling at the average of 70kms. With one speed check.
Then onto lunch at Estancia Las Viboras, a large cattle ranch in the middle of nowhere like you would see in the movies. It’s about 30kms square.

A spit roasting large slabs of meat was to be lunch and we were all entertained with some horse corralling.

A good break in the day and on with rallying.
A Regularity at Old Macedo Station with a dirt rutted track but with more bends and interesting configurations. Again we thought we did well and Denise performed.
The flat lowland on the plain here are just huge with grasslands as far as the eye can see for hours and hours. All beef stock and populated on the land like we in NZ stock sheep. Unbelievable.
Then the stretch home on straight sealed roads to the Sheraton hotel at 1840 hours.
We all had a good day. The only points we could earn today were in the competition sections and not for getting to any point in particular time.
We hope that the next day’s will be more interesting as driving the Tarmac is somewhat boring. We’ll make the most of it and we are so glad that Denise can now keep up with the more sophisticated cars on the rally.
Reliability though is key and we’ve just started out. So watch out!!

Today, Saturday 12th Nov was a prep day after receiving the cars from the docks.
We fitted the electronic equipment into the cars and tested.
Denise is all well. No broken bones or seeping wounds (leaks of any kind).
Attended scruitineering at 9.00 am. Passed with flying colours as expected. All was in working order and were certified (The car).
We then formally registered at the desk and issued with our driving instructions. Two relatively thick route books and a map/chart folio showing basically how to get out of the city and onto the main roads. We read these in the hotel lobby to get conversant with rules and regulations.
Whilst sitting there a couple of contestants asked if we would like to go to a traditional cooking class in the Palermo area in the city as the original couple couldn’t make it. Free to us of course.
We had the time so hopped on a bus with six others, that took us on a tourist loop doing some sight-seeing on the way. Nice day and a good way to learn something about BA and Argentina and its culture and traditions.
At the cooking venue we were greeted somewhat belatedly as they had the timing confused but got underway with a wine tasting.

The workshop, the chefs fitted out and some culinary creations. We look more like sailors than chefs or rallyiers!

 

Then to make empanadas a traditional snack made from a pastry of flour water and butter and looks like a curry puff when baked. We were all had to make our own empanadas after being shown how and some interestingly shaped products were produced. Tasty when cooked and was an appetiser to the main meal of fillet steak. Then some tiny traditional sweet deserts.

Good fun and a little better informed of some of the Argentinian food traditions.
And not bad for some rally nuts.
Then back to the hotel at 3.00 to attend an information briefing detailing some of what was expected on the rally and formal meet and greet of the ERA personnel of the organisation including 2 emergency doctors. What are we expecting? Probably for some of the older competitors.
Not us.
Any way we finished and negotiated our way to a petrol station some 2 1/2 k’s away to fill up. Petrol is the same price as in NZ.
All done. Some final tweaking and parked up ready go.
Dinner and bed is in the order of the day for a fresh start.
The first day of the rally commences on Sunday morning, 13th at 9.00am allowing time to check out of the hotel etc.
We are the 30th car out of the blocks to start, allowing 1 minute for each of the cars to get underway so we actually depart at 9.30.
Will keep you informed!

On Thursday evening, all of the participants of the Trans America Rally were invited to celebrate Marco Halter’s birthday at a Tango club where he kindly shouted dinner and a traditional dance, tango and national song fest. Really great with beautiful dancing and entertainment. Most memorable and much appreciated by all. Beginning with a wine tasting exhibition and learning the art of how wine ought to be drunk. Like we don’t know how. Still, interesting stuff, then a three course meal and champagne.

Most generous considering nearly 25 people attended.
Home by bus at midnight, well past many people’s bed time.

The next day, Friday, began relatively early, 6.00am with breakfast and meeting up with the ERA sweeper team boys that served us so well on the previous two rally’s.
A walk around the city of Buenos Aires revealed a very colonial style city that boasts early Spanish architecture, beautiful to behold.

Unfortunately there is also much of the infrastructure that has been left unkempt and poorly maintained. Broken footpaths with road and verge repairs not done. Pity. Such a vibrant city.
We travelled by bus in the early afternoon to uplift the cars from the port.
Most cars had arrived with one or two not available due to shipping delays. So holding our breath and hope they arrive in time for the start on Sunday morning.
All cars in good condition though the process of clearing and officialdom was very lengthy with the last cars leaving the port around 6 pm.
Frustrating.
Still everyone was happy to get into their cars and drive them back to the hotel. Some beautiful cars. Denise started very easily and the sound of her motor was warming to the heart.
So on the way back to the hotel we spotted a couple of guys cleaning cars on the side of the road and we gave Denise a really good wash and polish. She gleamed and looked great. All for the price of NZ$8.00.
People over here do want to work and they get stuck in.
Tonight we have a briefing at 8.00pm and will receive our driving instructions and directions.
We’ll fill up with petrol tomorrow morning (NZ$1.80 per litre) and tweak a few things before getting ready to get underway on Sunday morning.
Itchy feet. Can’t wait to get underway.

One of the tango dancers and Stephen. She couldn’t resist him!

Some of the cars ready to be released from the port. There’s Denise in the corner.

 

A brief message to all of you who may wish to follow Stephen and Corgi on their exploits on the Rally of the Incas through South America.

We will both be on our way to Buenos Aries, Argentina, at the beginning of November to join nearly 60 other cars and their teams to undertake what looks like a very adventurous and hardy rally, much of it off road and exciting.

We  have asked Brooke to put up a website so that he can broadcast daily reports of our experiences and antics, as per the past two rally’s, the Peking to Paris and the Trans America Challenge.

It should make interesting reading, if you are so inclined to take the time to follow.

Our blog is: http://www.graveltravel.nz

I will post photos and what we think are interesting events for you to enjoy.

Thanks for taking interest.

Stephen and Corgi

The last leg and final day of the rally morning brought a dull overcast day into focus when after we got our amendment instructions and left the Red Lion Inn in Eureka at 8.12am, not more than two kms were covered when the left rear wheel bearing began to complain with some weird graunching noises and pings as the bearing basically self destructed.
This noise had occurred in the previous day’s hard journey and regularities’ but  we didn’t determine what it was and it was neglected.
This morning it heaved its last sigh and collapsed.
We pulled into an unused parking lot and Steve got to work jacking up the car with a borrowed bottle jack, removed the wheel and began dismantling the rear wheel assembly. What was left of the bearing fell out in many pieces and after removing the axle shaft and cleaning the bearing housing, Steve simply inserted the spare half shaft that he had prepared with the bearing and fixing flange already in place. He had anticipated that in the event of a bearing problem it could be replaced quickly and easily. He had the job done and replaced the wheel before the sweep team had arrived in 20 minutes flat!
Fantastic job and we were back on the road heading west to the pacific coast.
The last official timing control was in a little cafe on the coast at midday, after which we were more or less left to our own devices and to make our way to San Francisco.
We decided to take the freeway which was some 160 miles to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Betty was in her element cruising down the roads for which she was so eloquently designed. With the top down on a day that turned to bright sunshine we drove through heavily forested areas of cedars sequoias and pines in the now warm afternoon sun, with gay abandon. No stresses other than following and finding the friendly signs for the 101 to San Fran.
As we closed in on the bridge the traffic intensified and began the slow and as the sun got hotter,  the thought that Betty’s engine may once again over heat in the heat of the day entered our minds.
She kept on pumping for home though, the motor purring as if to say she enjoyed the smell of home in California USA.
We got to the hotel by about 5.30 at which time the other cars that had arrived formed a welcoming committee for Betty as she was clapped into the arrival garage. A great feeling for this crew having completed the rally in full. Cool.
After a few drinks in the bar we were requested by the organising committee to take a drive around the block then through a finish line arch for publicity purposes. It was seen as a great event to have finished and each car was photographed as if it had just arrived in order of finishing. Great stuff.

Then we needed to ready for the diner and prize giving.
Every team member attended this evening to an audio visual of the rally taken by the official photographer of some fabulous events during the rally and of some of the people that had met with misfortune with their cars on this journey. A fabulous display and then onto the announcement of the overall winner of the event.
This went to Peter and Zoe Lovett who drove a very well prepared Porsche 912 in a well deserved rally win. Congratulations to a very expert team.
Other prizes were distributed with one going to Steve Partridge for wearing the most outlandish shirts in the event. You know what I mean?
Many more drinks, congratulations, back slapping and good byes to the many people we had befriended during this fantastic trip.

Our thanks must go to the ERA for having allowed us to partake. Their team of personnel are just magnificent. The best.
Also to the people that followed our daily blog and who supported our efforts and gave advice on various occasions. We took note and applied what we thought would help. Thanks to you all.
Also a special thanks to Monte J Montgomery who flew from New York to meet us in San Francisco and to John Rich who helped with some repairs in his workshop on the way to Halifax and with whom we stayed a few nights and enjoyed some special company. Len Treeter who we met on the P to P drove 1100 miles to meet us at one destination of the rally.
We have met so many great people on this rally and we want to thank them for supporting Betty and her crew with such enthusiasm. It has been a fabulous journey.
Thanks to Brooke who prepared the daily reports and to Gerard Brown for permitting the use of some of his photos for our blog.
As a footnote, we were placed 24th overall in this event. Not good but better than the earlier placements as reported.
Signing off,
Steve and Corgi and Betty.
Car 32.

Boy what a day we had today. Perhaps because the rally was getting close to ending  we anticipated it getting easier?
Betty was now outfitted with as much equipment as we could think of to combat the fuel problem. We couldn’t do anything more.
The day started with clear skies and it was to be another scorcher. It was to be a 600 km trek, but because we were heading west the weather was likely to get cooler.
Betty went well in the cool of the  day and this leg having three regularities was to be really difficult especially with recent experiences.
After travelling the first leg of 126 kms into California the countryside changed from a dry arid complexion to a greener more lush landscape and onwards into beautiful forested hillsides of pines spruces and sequoias.
Cooler too except when we entered the huge valleys where the air was still and the grass was so dry.
Getting to the start was a drive of 30 kms through the most dusty roads imaginable so bad that it was impossible to see the car in front through the dust in the morning light through the trees, and these cars were only a matter of meters away ahead of us. Having cleaned the car the day before and we had the hood down we were caked in dust within minutes.   We got straight to the start, Betty responded and into this run up down hills and sharp bends, we got up to the average speed a few times but the corners and the road surface were not made for Betty. She did so well though but it rattled her bones as Steve took her to the limit. At times he had the foot to the floor and she could not go any faster.  A great ride for the navigator but of course he can’t see anything as he’s looking at the speed/time sheet. Great experience to feel the cars movements and to hear the exclamations of the driver. Great ride!
Onto the cafe at Mineral for lunch then onto Mendocino a 230 km drive and then two regularities in a forest wood area miles from anywhere and the Tarmac surfaces were rough and twisty, great for a rally but rough.
These too were great rides but tough on the car. She’s been made to be an elegant vehicle not one to be thrashed about on the roughest roads that can be found. Again she did so well and other than rattling somewhat and giving the drum brakes a hiding she kept moving forward at Steve’s command.
We did well in both of these regularities and we had no issues with fuel vaporising. Likely because of the air temperatures being cooler.
Due to the hilly undulations of the road the main concern was the brakes. Down the steep winding roads home to Eureka. Brakes got so hot and driving could become quite perilous.
We made it back in time to the hotel time check and we looked forward to a hot shower. The evening was now cool. The need for extra clothes to be worn as we were now under the influence of the Pacific coastal conditions.
It was a tough but great day for rallying!
Tomorrow we’re off down to San Fran to the last day of this event. Will report.

Our day of rest in Reno consisted of undertaking all that we could think of to prevent this problem of the loss of power that has been plaguing us travelling over the hot Nevada desert.
We rose a little later in the morning than normal but Steve had a plan of attack that involved many aspects that could cause this loss of power issue.
He began by replacing the condenser in the distributor, the coil, then a trip down to Summit Racing for other remedial bits and pieces like insulation for the fuel pipes and a new fuel pump, a pull type. On the way home there was again the loss of power and  on stopping at the car wash Betty stalled and wouldn’t start. So we fitted all the insulation materials and new fuel pump there on the spot, though this took some 3-4 hours.

We found that fuel pump that was fitted the day before had not been pumping and that the mechanical pump had been the unit doing the work. A few new connections to the new unit and a car wash then back to the hotel. Betty had cooled and there was no more power loss.
We are hopeful that tomorrow will be cooler as we head further west towards Eureka on the coast.
Fingers crossed!

Another long day of 580kms and two regularity sections one on unsealed roads the other on Tarmac.
We are beginning to dread these now as the fuel issues continue to plague us now. It’s become so much worse in the extreme heat of the Nevada desert. With the top down today to keep cooler under the desert sun it was soon so hot as we headed westward across country that was not barren but with features of scrubby growth, salt flats , mountains, sand hills and roads that ran straight for up to 30kms in a stretch. The wind was hot!

Betty got going early and purred along in the cooler part of the day, but in an apparent mood of objection she began playing up just short of the start line of the first regularity. She coughed and spluttered, then died just after the start. Fuel starvation. It was as if we had run out of fuel, even though we had sufficient fuel for the flight.
At the side of the road the doctors tools came out and Steve began checking for causes. Sucking the fuel lines checking the filters, running the pump. The fuel was evaporating before getting to the pump even. Steve with the assistance of the mechanical support team fastened another fuel pump on which delivered more fuel to the carburettor and this worked for a short distance but as we headed for the next regularity on a Tarmac surface the same issue arose at the start. The heat of the day and the surface temperature of the road along with any incline or steeper roads with engine under pressure the fuel just boils and it doesn’t get through to the pump. The pump just cavitates.
Another bigger pump is attached at Fallon in the time check car park where we stalled, straddled in the middle of the parking area. It delivers the fuel at a really great rate but it’s too much and the original car fuel pump was reconnected into the line in an effort to stem the flow. It works.
Steve is now very stressed, hot and sweating profusely. He’s at the limit of endurance so before getting back on the road we waited inside the cafe with a cold drink.
We got in on time, though we did attract the max penalty and because we did not clock in at the regularity time checks we lost points here too. Don’t know how many but we will be demoted in placings. We think.
Steve booted Betty on the unofficial last leg of 133kms to the hotel in Reno arriving @ 7.30pm. A shower, a couple of well deserved beers at this fabulous hotel casino. We listened to live band music, then dinner with a couple of competitors who also had car problems and bed.
It’s been a shit of a day and we are tired.

It’s a rest day tomorrow but Steve has a list of things to buy and do. It’ll be a big day to get on top of what’s necessary to do.
Thanks to all of you who contributed ideas to resolve our fuel problems. We have taken it on board.

This morning, as was usual, Steve got to work on Betty’s bonnet, to lift it from the support end to allow heat from the motor to escape and to prevent fuel vaporisation. With the tools at hand he lifted to bonnet up about 1 cm so there was approx 190 sq cm more opening. He checked everything else, topped up oil etc and we were ready to go.

Boy what a drive we had today. Some 660kms of hot Tarmac road, much of it having to be done (500kms) in the morning, before lunch. We started out at 7.30 when the day was still cool to Carey to a time control, 178kms, then to Duck Valley another 314kms for a time control and lunch. We traversed into Nevada and the desert which stretched forever in front of us.

We did not have the top down due to having had too much sun the previous day so Steve unzipped the rear pvc screen allowing the air to pass through. Cool.
Boy it was hot. And for mile after mile the road just appeared in front of us. What a vast country.

Betty ran like a dream, just purring, eating up the miles.

In the afternoon we had a regularity test which was run on Tarmac.
This was the test to see if the extra air escape in the motor cavity would work.
It may have had an effect but in the heat of the day, the fuel began vaporising as we sat at the starting gate and the motor struggled to get forward motion. A very slow start and Betty struggled to get up to anywhere near the required average speed. She spluttered along and with the four time checks in this leg, we failed miserably.
It was no satisfaction to hear later that we were not the only car to experience such serious power loss. Many cars were effected.
Then another 109kms to go to the destination at Elko for the night. We got in on time and after a shower to cool down, a beer or two before dinner,   Bed.
This type of driving really has an effect as driving on straight boring roads does wear you out.
It is necessary to get these miles under our belt as the end of this rally in San Fransisco is now only days away. We have from tomorrow another 2000kms to go, so another 583kms to Reno and a rest day to give the cars some tlc and a look around.
We have also just moved up one place to 27 again. To get further up the ladder at this point in the rally is a little hopeless though.

Today was an unofficial journey of 500kms plus, which basically allowed team members to spend time visiting the world famous Yellowstone Park and it’s interesting interior.

Stunning scenery, forests, rivers and animal life. Mountain and escarpments of stunning size and shape. We saw elk, mountain goat, deer, bison but no bear. The bison is making a big comeback in numbers and we saw herds of many hundred animals all through the park. The geyser Old Faithful did not play for us as we would have had to wait 90 minutes and didn’t have time to wait. It was a lot like the geothermal field in Rotorua but so much larger in size. Same smell of sulphur of course. A great trip but still a long drive, so it wasn’t a rest day.
We climbed Betty up and down the steep roads to view fabulous views that stretched from horizon to horizon. It was as if we were in an aeroplane.
Betty didn’t complain and the issue of fuel vaporisation made only a slight appearance but Steve has found one way of overcoming this, by trial and error.  Keeping the revs high when stopped keeps the engine cooler and the vaporisation doesn’t occur.
We’ll see tomorrow if this resolve can be maintained. It’s been a great day!
We are to cover some 645kms tomorrow
With some 500kms before lunch, so an early start @ 7.30am is the order of the day with lunch @ 2.30pm. One regularity section is in the afternoon.
You will probably have noticed that there has been no mention of placings of late in these reports. It mainly because the position we hold has not changed and we are still in 28th place. Not where we want to be but, that’s the fact of the matter.