gravel travel

Just before diner last night at the Bluff Dwellings hotel and Spa the competitors were called together to receive a verbal advice in respect of the coming days activities. For those that had not yet checked their road book there were to be a number of “Time Control” events on day 21, tomorrow.

These exercises involve timing from the start of the event, for a given distance in a given time. To ensure that you arrived on the exact time the clock in the car needed to be watched closely for at arrival at the time check at the end of the event the car needed to be stopped at 1. A yellow time control and not enter to the 2. The red time control at more than 60seconds later. At that point you are to hand your time card book at the allocated time as given at the start. Early and you’re penalised, late and you’re penalised.

Sounds convoluted. Hope you understand.

Something to mull over at dinner and to sleep on overnight.

Our start time was allocated at 8.43 am starting out at 42, second to last. We thought this was good as in anticipation of how we were going to manage the Time control events because we were afraid that the road conditions may not be conducive to keeping Betty fit for the roads on the days ahead. ie if the road conditions the previous day were to be replicated today, we were going to opt out.

We headed out on a 32km run to a passage control then on gravel, A very rough 39kms of roadway to the Time Control section, at the exact given time.

The thought that this road would be rough was erased, when it turned out to be tarmac. Great. We’ll partake! It was a 118km run and we needed to be checked in as required in the exact time, at the yellow card and at the red card. We did. On time as planned.

But directly following were 4 more short Time controls on dirt roads. The road dirt here is red like the Australian bull-dust.

We managed these well as well. And we enjoyed the experience. Betty purred along. She had had the air cleaner washed the night before. It was filthy full of the red dust prohibiting free air inflow to the engine, so she was purring. The last one was a long 111km run mainly on seal to the end at Grand Canyon Brewing, where we had lunch. Pizza. And good too. Everyone was hungry. Pizza to burn. Many took the left over home to eat for breakfast. mmm

From here, the end of the events, it was back tripping through the canyons. So many configurations of rock formations. Amazing. Driving through the Zion National Park. Jaw dropping scenes.

So many photographs were taken of so many of these formations. It’s truly amazing countryside

Headed for the hotel, diner and sleep after a long interesting day!

Tomorrow, 497kms from Springdale to Flagstsff.

5 Time checks and two regularity’s. It’ll be another hard day

As previously noted, it was an 8.00am start to the day. And we started out of the gates at 8.43. ie 43rd car out. Not quite last.

There were a few changes to the road book but nothing major. So we left the starting blocks at 8.43 heading south through the centre of Moab 36km to a passage control at Geyser Pass.

As usual, gravel roads, 81 kms of them. We passed through, and up roads that led to areas where snow/ice was present. A little higher up than we were but still close, which indicates how high in altitude we were.

This was the regularity start for the day, 26kms of time/distance testing. Some very rough roads one which the speed changed many (7) times from 35 to 48kph. Can’t take photos of this due to the number of things going on in the cabin during one of these

It was rough going and Betty was rattled quite some. I don’t think we did so well from a competitive position but it’s always interesting. she wasn’t really made for this type of country.

Then 55km down again in altitude to Eightmile rock. These rocks are massive. The photos don’t do it justice.

We had driven to the top of one of the canyon flat top areas some 1900 metered in altitude. This scene was spectacular. Awesome. Overlooking a vast expanse of canyon as far as the eye could see.

At Eightmile Rock we proceeded to a short, what I would call a dirt farm track on which we were expected to go as fast as the car would go down the track and stop at a timing stop. And we did go fast. Good fun on what was like red (Aussie) soil/bull dust tracks, for only about 1k.

We were then directed to follow a 11km road newly sealed road out to Needles Overlook. Not an exciting name. But on arrival once exiting the car, wow!!!

Onto lunch at the Granery Mill. Nothing spectacular but we needed to refuel. We were consuming fuel at a great rate like, 17 gallons to traverse 212kms!! Probably due to the altitude and temperature as well as the loose winding gravel roads

From Gramercy Mill to Indian Creek for another 8km regularity. This road was very rough to the extent that the question is asked, why wreak the car just to beat the clock. And the rest of the 70odd kms on gravel to the hotel. Remember that when doing a regularity the driver has to observe the road conditions, bends and curves and bumps and fords. To boot, it’s a public road and we will encounter cars and bikes and motor bikes all the while being told by the navigator to go faster or slower.

It’s a handful sometimes.

The course was altered and shortened by approx 40k’s due to washouts of the roads selected for this rally. So we headed to the accomodation.

We are at the Bluff Dwellings resort and spa, a hotel set into the canyon rocks at Bluff. Again, wow!!! The canyon rock structures are mind blowing.

It’s hot here. And I mean hot. Most of the cars are being seen to by the mechanics to make them good and ready for a 505km run to Springfield tomorrow.

We’re in Moab. Utah. Red rock cliffs surround us. The Colorado river flows through the middle. It’s hot and the wide Main Street bustles with tourist activities. Souvenir and t shirt shops abound. We stop at a a cafe for a drink with Betty parked outside with her top down. Looks stunning. Not one person passes her by without a glance or a discussion about her heritage. She’s a head turner. Cars are a passion here. And they love to share their stories of their own cars. There are gems of cars out there and Steve is not slow to enquire as to an acquisition possibility.

At dinner too, it was interesting to watch people passing by and stopping to take photo.

It’s a pity that this scene wasn’t 50 years earlier. We would have had some fun.

Here’s a photo of Betty in all her glory and looking her best.

Tomorrow we’re on day 20. 443kms to Bluff. Should be fun.

This morning was cold and it rained over night. We are at 2080 meters above sea level. Steve had a great sleep and was ready to go. Betty was ready to take us. The headlights failed to come to life but after a lot of checking the wiring Steve got them going.

Our start time today was 7.29am, 29th in order. dawn had broken and cars getting under way.

The first leg of the day was an 89km run to Baldy mountain where the first regularity event took place. It was a short 12km run on what was supposed to be gravel. But between the time of the reconnaissance of the course, and now the road had been sealed. It was a first class sealed roadway. It was a self starter with an average speed of 48 km per hour. These instructions are supplied on the start of the day. We did a good time and we’re happy with the run. We ended that leg at Tie Fork rest area for a pit stop and time control then to the next regularity at Skyline Drive. This was a test with ten speed changes over the 31km run. Was a good road for the event some of which was farm track conditions and a two way public open road. So the driver has to be aware of many obstacles as well as to take note the droning instructions from the navigator. Go two seconds faster or slower as the case may be.

Another good run. After this it was noticed that the fuel consumption was more than allowed for. Due to a number of factors such as the heat of the fuel in the delivery system, the type of fuel, some of which is 89 octane, and the 10% ethanol content of the fuel. As well the wheels slip/spin on the gravel more without traction on gravel especially on rougher surfaces and where there are a lot of corrugations on the road. But in the end we should have filled up on fuel closer to the beginning of the run. Anyway we had used up most of our fuel at the end of the regularity section and diverted to a small town 13 km away to fill up, or we would surely have run out. Then return at pace to the passage control at Ponderosa Grill where we had lunch. A quick bite as the petrol diversion had put pressure on our time.

From there we headed to Buckhorn Draw for a passage control. This process is the ensure that all participants are accounted for and can prevent entrants from taking short cuts if they’re available.

The next regularity was 8km away at the San Rafael River. This again was an average speed test on a 28km course at 60kms average speed. This stretch was though a landscape of canyons and a road surface containing many cords or dips as they call them. Some designated “rough”. Understatement.

A 130km run to the the accomodation in Moab.

It was a good day all round. Roads and the activity was good and not too long.

The size of these rock formations so much more massive than the photo depicts.

Tomorrow is a lay day in Moab. I will take some more photos of the massive rock structures.

The afternoon in Jackson Hole was relaxing as the days event was only 200+ km. So we got there early. Allowed us to do some house keeping and have a look around this famous town/city.

It was a sunny day but cool being elevated and really tourist busy. Lots of eateries and liquor outlets, bars and…T-shirt shops. Lots of T-shirt shops.

The cowboy bar where the stools at made of horse saddles to sit astride on at the bar. Novel.

We made our own arrangements for diner. It is cowboy country here. Fishing and a hunting paradise.

Day 17. We were allocated a 7.01am start. Leader of the pack for the day. 546 km’s of which 150ks were on gravel.

Stephen had not had a good nights sleep and wasn’t feeling 100%. We decided that driving that distance and much of it on gravel and dusty roads was not a wise thing to do.

So we chose to abandon this days event. Not an easy decisions but it would cut out approx 4 hours driving and enable a sleep catch up in Herber city.

The drive on the motorways and highways of course , was uneventful through the vast featureless countryside. Mainly high country desert. Long, long we’ll paved roads. Had a coffee stop at some out-lying log cabin tea house in Cherry creek. We were told there that this was very much bear and fox country. Bears were hunted as their population was exploding. They killed and ate livestock and ruined fruit trees and agriculture sticks. The hunters here shoot/kill and eat them!! Really. We didn’t see any live bears at all during the ride. Or anywhere else.

At midday we stopped at “Cheyenne.”You know. The place that was famous in novels and movies about the early American settler days. they made a good grilled cheese sandwich and coffee there too.

Below some shots of the countryside.

So tomorrow’s day 18 will take us to Moab. It’s a 443km event. three regularity’s on dirt/gravel roads, of course.

From Idaho Falls to Jackson Hole. A 202km run. Very welcome short haul.

A late start this morning @ 9.16am. It’s really quite cool here and the morning clouds were red. You know what that means. we are at a high elevation, thus the cooler climate.

Our first event was 25km on tarmac to the Sage Raceway, a hairpin sealed track with a chicane half way up the first straight a sharp 180 bend and heading quickly to right hand roundabout then onto the finish line.

This looked straight forward but in reality and the desire to speed, the chicane turned up real quickly after the sharp turn and with as much speed as we could the roundabout was missed completely, mainly because it was on the sand beside the track and unsealed. Not what was expected, nor shown on the diagram. That’s the test I guess. It went by so quickly that another round would have been good.

On to Rail creek, a 58km stretch on tarmac. Nothing worth noting here. We were early but this was accommodated by the days program. It’s a no stress day.

At Rail Creek was the first and only regularity, a 24km course on gravel, of course, with in unscheduled checkpoint and the average speeds were many and varied. We got to the checkpoint and registered, and because of the navigator ignorance, carried on until the end oblivious that the regularity ended at the checkpoint. All the time concentrating until the end only to discover that it wasn’t necessary. No one to check at the end. Navigator error

After that it was a 70km run to the end of day destination.

An easy day arriving around 1.30pm. The rest of the day is to discover Jackson Hole.

Trees are everywhere. It’s easy to see that early settlers chose to construct their house with logs. The trees grow very much to the same height and diameter. Straight as a die. Selection of raw materials is right there then it’s a matter of cutting to length debarking and notching the ends. Easy construction, good insulation and strong. A very neat and simple building system.

We have the afternoon off to check out Jackson. Tomorrow is a 546km day with two regularity’s. Better get some rest while we can prior tomorrow.

Our start time this morning was 9.15am. Tail end Charlie. Last to leave. this was a 478km day. Another long dry one. A few changes to the road book but only minor.

Betty was ready to go well before and the temperature was rising. but a clear day, including two regularities and one race track event. A 24 km run out to the gravel roads and 80 km to the first regularity. An uneventful ride. The car is in its element on these US roads. Made for it. No trouble rolling along at 100-120kph. Faster when in a hurry.

The first regularity at 11.20 am was a short 8km course, self start, went ok. Then on to Camas creek country store for a rest period.

The next regularity began at Camp Creek at 12.35 for our start. There was a timing point in there somewhere, but we don’t know where. Clocked in ok. Then over a very rough patch of road Betty motor “stopped”. Very few cars on this back country road and a few mad cyclists. One threatened to shoot us for travelling at 40km on their roads!!! Mumbling under his breath, loud enough for us to hear as we were investigating the car issue.

Steve searched the engine bay for loose wires and cables, checked fuel and electric systems. No go.

Being last in the line for the day brought the benefit of having the sweep team not far behind and it wasn’t long when they arrived, Jamie and Russ. They are first class mechanics and really good guys.

They methodically checked, the same areas that Steve had covered, and had the equipment to test so they could eliminate areas not to be concerned about. They replaced the rotor in the distributor. The distributor cap, the coil. Checked spark plugs, fuel pump, carberator and so forth, to no avail. Not much else to check. Last was Jamie’s suggestion to check the condenser in the distributor. Replaced this and voila!! Thanks to the mechanics for their assistance. Well done. And much appreciated.

With the exception of the coil Steve had all of the spares that were checked and maybe, needed.

Naturally the regularity was well over by the time Betty came back to life. one and a quarter hours had elapsed

But there was a chance we could catch the team at Craters of the Moon, or Golden West Cafe. The organisation had allowed extra time for the teams to explore the local land features.

Steve drove Betty at speed over the intervening distance to arrive at the cafe in time to meet out Time Check. Whew!!

Then onto the race track at Atomic Motor Raceway. A basic gravel oval track, well cambered. All crews seemed to enjoy this twice around event and so did we. The surface was a little uneven and it was generally a rough and ready country track. Good fun though!

The ride to the hotel was on tarmac all the way. Steve was very tired and looking forward to resting a bit, but there was an obligation to return the coil lent to us by the mechanics, so we sought out an O’rielly car parts store to purchase one and get a few bits and pieces, including another condenser, just in case?

Showers were in the order of the day, then a quick bite, and bed.

RTG had arranged dinner at an adjoining eatery, but we elected to eat at the hotel.

Another long hard, hot dusty day in all 478km’s.

Saturday was our rest day.

And Walla Walla coincidently held a hot rod show on. 500+ cars of the 50’s 60’s and 70’s era.

Many many beautiful cars, in better condition than when they were produced.

Filled the day exceptionally well.

Day 14 of this rally started at 7.30am Sunday 10 😀Sept. A sunny day promising to get very warm during this session.

499 km today from Walla Walla to Boise in Idaho.

Three regularities and many kms of dusty road.

Our start time is 7.47am. The roads were good and we quickly arrived, on gravel to the first regularity. 22k’s, three average speeds. I thought we did ok. Then 98kms to the Blue Banana for a pit stop. Just prior to that another competitor indicated that our rear left tyre was down. Stoped and checked and sure enough it was low on air. Pumped it up to get to the pit stop and made the change.

Then it was on to Hells Kitchen. 97kms down the road. A spectacular scene over the country with soaring eagles. Couldn’t take a photo of an eagle as it was too far away. But it was a great sight.

The day was really getting hot and we were getting hungry. There was no lunch until around 2pm. 74 km down the road to the gateway store and cafe.

Very beautiful countryside.

A regularity at big farm, 14km’s was the next event. We did o k again. Problem is that we can’t catch up to any of the leaders as we’re so late starting the rally.

Thee another 48kms of gravel road to the next regularity. this was an average speed event over a short course. After that we found the tarmac and headed for the night’s accommodation in Boise Idaho. A time zone change of + 1 hour. We ate at around 8.30pm.

We were very tired and Stephen was absolutely buggered after this mealy 500 km stage. Dusty and dry he headed for the shower and crashed onto his bed.

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