Pre Start & Scrutineering Hemingway's Watamu
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15 February to 5 March 2020 Pre start & scrutineering Hemingway’s Watamu 15 February 2020 Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk Today was one book ended by two idyllic meals on the shore of the Indian Ocean. One at first light and the second in the all enveloping darkness of East Kenya. There are few better places to wake up than in a Hemingway’s Whilst the crews waited on the sidelines, the task of suite and, as the surf gently rolled up the pristine white checking for safety and compliance fell to Jamie Turner beach, the rally crews rolled themselves out of their beds and Andy Inskip who moved methodically through the and made their way down to breakfast. Kenyan coffee and entry list ticking boxes and keeping a close eye out for as much fresh fruit as their plates could carry was the order blown bulbs and horns that weren’t working. of the day. Patience was definitely the order of the day here and as This was going to be a busy one so they needed something they waited in line, a chain of dutiful waiters ferried up a to sustain them as they’d soon be getting the paperwork selection of cold drinks and refreshments to them so as to and documentation sorted for the next three weeks on the make the ‘ordeal’ more bearable. road. And, the action kicked off mid morning up in the Once the cars had been declared fit for purpose, their sweltering car park, where 22 icons of global motoring crews had to report to the rally office, where Loren Price, were sitting under a relentless African sun. Among them Pete Smith and Gill Cotton handed out route books, map there were two WO Bentleys, a venerable Vauxhall 30/98 books, rally bags and all of the necessary paperwork that and a pair of Mercedes Benz, but it was Porsche who had every long distance rally needs to survive. fielded the biggest team. And, Tuthill Porsche in particular, The rest of the day was then free for some beach combing, who with their legendary East African reputation, had four swimming or a quick trip to the spa. machines bearing their stamp lined up awaiting clearance. Just as the cars in the parking area were icons however, The Kenyan registered FJ40 Landcruiser of Bernd and so too was our location. Hemingway’s, a famed beachside Christiane Dannenmaier was also worthy of note, as this resort was a favourite haunt of the late Philip Young, a is an original East African Safari car which, according to its friend to so many of us at Rally the Globe. owners, “might not be the fastest car here, but it’s one in But, it’s also high on the list of Rally Director, Fred which we’ll be having the most fun”. Gallagher‘s favourite places. Fred has visited the area many www.rallytheglobe.com Pre start & scrutineering: Hemingway’s Watamu, 15 February 2020 Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk times and can boast 10 East African Classic Safari starts Jamie Turner wrapped up the afternoon’s lecture circuit along with three outright wins sat alongside legends of the and set out the common sense, mechanical service protocol. sport such as Juha Kankkunen, and Bjørn Waldegard. Especially if a breakdown was to occur in a game park! For this trip though Fred has got the pleasure of sitting There were a couple of extraordinary announcements also beside Loren Price, the events manager and logistics made this afternoon, one was an apology for absence. Long supremo for RtG who today is celebrating her birthday. distance rally regular, Ian Milne will now be sitting next to As the day progressed, the sun dipped over the palms and Ricky Proffitt for the duration in an organisation Toyota the mercury dipped a little and Gallagher formally welcomed lending a hand as a marshal. Sadly, his regular partner in everyone at the competitors briefing. Here he explained that crime and fellow Datsun 240z enthusiast, Andrew Laing, whilst Carrera Iberia had set a very high bar for Rally the finds himself indisposed back at home. Naturally we send Globe, this event was going to be very different. Not least him all the best and look forward to welcoming him again because there was going to be a lot less tarmac and, given very soon but we thank Ian for stepping up to lend a hand. the recent rains, there was going to be a lot more mud! Stephen and Jenny Verrall on the other hand we heard Plenty of rest days, relaxed timing, and scenery second are on their first ever long distance event and were warmly to none were going to make this unique event one to welcomed by the grizzled old veterans amongst us. They’re remember. With as much luxury as could possibly squeezed very much looking forward to getting their immaculate into three short weeks special permission had also been white 911 covered in some good, honest, African dirt. given to the rally to bring their cars right into the National An evening BBQ wrapped up a great day with much Parks to give the crews the best seat in the house for the excited chatter to be heard over the rush of the incoming inevitable wildlife watching. tide and the live band. As well as raiding his atlas and plotting an epic route Paul Heal and Dick Appleton sadly missed the evening’s however Fred has also pillaged his contacts book and, social as they have left us already. They’re once again from his dust filled glory days, he has brought in some manning the 48 hour car sending back useful intelligence. extra special local help in the form of veteran Safari Rally They’ve made good progress so far but reported that they’d luminaries such as John Lockhart-Mure, Ramesh Bhalla and suffered many hold ups today... because of elephants in Malcom and Lloyd Destro. They’re going to help out with the road. anything that might crop up along the road and rumour Tomorrow there’s a civilised start at 10am for day 1 has it that they know their way round a tool box as well. Watamu - Watamu, a straightforward shakedown... Next up at the briefing was Professor Mansoor Khan who gave a useful medical briefing emphasising the importance of good hydration, frequent hand washing, the benefits of long trousers, sleeves and stout footwear. And, even though we’re on safari he warned everyone against petting anything strange and furry. Gerardus Mercator, Dispatch reporter www.rallytheglobe.com 15 February to 5 March 2020 Day 1 Watamu to Watamu (157.54 kms) 16 February 2020 Day one of any rally can be a tense affair and today the Southern Cross Safari took the plunge. We’ve been holed up at Hemingway‘s now for around three days and, whilst it’s very nice and extremely agreeable, everyone is keen to get on the road. This is, after all, why we came. Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk Willy Van Loon & Christiane Torfs, Fred Gallagher flags away the first car Charles Stuart- Bentley Derby 3 ½ Menteth and Michael Timmis in the Vauxhall 30/98 But, and you can choose your own metaphor here, for the Main Time Control (MTC) with a sheaf of 48 hour car everyone the first day is a step into the unknown, a leap of amendments and a stopwatch at the ready. As 10.01am came faith, a stab in the dark. around it fell to Fred Gallagher and Loren Price to take turns As such there was a frisson of nervous energy around to send every car away from the arch with a wave of the the car park this morning. The drivers had their bonnets up Bendera ya Kenya as a small crowd of excited locals, expats and the navigators had their route books open. Fluids were and rally fans looked on. checked, tricky junctions were highlighted and the time Our destination was Vipingo Ridge, a plantation and schedule to which every car had to stick was noted. Country Club where two tests and two Regularities were Although this is a competitive event it’s also a friendly one slated. There was also an excellent lunch provided here and, and, in the spirit of car-based camaraderie, Dawn Smith took once again, the Indian Ocean came up trumps by providing the time to give Jenny Verrall, the rally rookie, some helpful us with lobster and shrimp for the barbecue as well as seared hints and tips. tuna steaks for the buffet table. Charles Stuart-Menteth, who was due out first, exuded a Unfortunately, Thomas Hansen, another rally rookie, cool calmness as he first refilled his pipe and then turned his thought the whole route was a Regularity and arrived at the attention to his Vauxhall’s radiator - there’s no such thing as lunch halt along with Rob Collinge a little behind schedule. too much water in this climate. Yesterday saw him lose two Palms and sisal bushes were the backdrop for the four headlights to a glancing blow from a tuk tuk, but today is dusty sections today and, by the end of the afternoon, no one another day and, thanks to the assistance of the sweep crews came out of the jungle feeling anything less than a real safari last night, he made his due time and got through the day hero. Fun and games finished, from Vipingo we then had a without further incident. simple return journey of around 75 km back up the coast to Meanwhile, under a shady thatch, Andy Inskip sat at Hemingway’s and another beachfront banquet.