All the comforts

I just found this on the official site - almost sounds even better than a Hilton resort!  Where you have heard of a Hilton Resort that offers mobile workshops complete with welding machines alongside "extended daylight guaranteeing fantastic social evenings"?

Mongolia

Once again the Mongolian section will surely be the highlight for many crews and we are currently considering a number of optional routes including an all new Northern option and many new sections in the Gobi Desert.

As in 2007 and 2010 we will again be supported by our Mongolian partners who will provide unrivalled levels of facilities at each of our overnight camp sites including hot showers, toilets and freshly prepared food and drink.

A new addition for 2013 will be the provision of generators to light the camp sites, a very welcome sight for stragglers arriving late in the evening. These generators will also power our new for 2013 mobile workshop facilities which will even include welding equipment!

Finally, running the event in the months of May and June ensures the weather will be much warmer than in 2010 and extended daylight guaranteeing fantastic social evenings.

Internet free zone?

There seems to be no new news from any source today.  Not even the official site has a rally update and they have not posted the results for the day.  

The official Rally Results site shows Matilda is still running joint first (along with about 40 other teams - so don't get too excited!)

I believe the circus has moved into an internet free zone.  (Not many of those around anymore are there!)

Unfortunately there is no new news - so, like all the other credible news sources I had look to Google to fabricate some.

Here is the begin and the end point of the route for the day (courtesy of Google maps).  They crossed from China into Mongolia.

I tired to find the various routes that they could take but according to Google it is not possible to drive between these two points.  Don't believe me?  Here is the proof:

But, as we can see you can nevertheless invest in property in this area.   From the pictures below there is no shortage of real estate.

Tonight they will sleep somewhere in the greater metro region of Altanshiree, Mongolia.

Yesterday the organizers warned of inclement weather.  In Altanshiree this means strong winds and sand.  Their suggestion was to get to the site as quickly as possible and to securely pitch the tent before the wind makes it impossible.   I looked at the satellite picture and I could see why they should bring tents:

Fortunately, this area is quite small and from what I can tell there is no shortage of space in which to pitch a 2 man tent.    Not much going on here, but I suspect that Google maps does not do really do it justice.    I bet there are at least 200 goats for every person and a few horses for good luck.  (No wonder these guys wanted to invade China - that is clearly where the fun is!)

-Gerrie

Day 2 - Matilda sighted!!!

Still no news from the crew but Matilda was sighted twice in the stretch of road between the towns of Daihai and Erenhot.

The pictures show a car much less clean than the one in Peking and with a noticeable sag in the sun visor.

Tomorrow they cross into Mongolia and the Gobi Desert proper.  Overheating is one of the greatest challenges for these old card and if there is a time for overheating this will be it.

Looks like Gramma is driving here:

Wait a moment ... these are not the highways shown on state TV

As the rally was leaving the metropolitan area the cars had to contend with a number of flooded roads.   More than four cars needed towing and one car, a Bentley, drew water into the engine and bent 2 con rods - the rods that connect the pistons to the crankshaft.  (This is very bad!  The car is limping along and the owners hope to fly new parts out to make repairs.

So far we have heard nothing of Matilda and her drivers - but we hope that is good!

Here is a picture of one of the crossings.....

And they are off.........

Yesterday the rally officially started from Peking, in the shadow of the Great Wall.  We have heard nothing from our team yet, but we believe they are still in the race!

Here is a short video of the send off:

We almost got lost - even before the race started!

Of we went in a bus to  Tianjin where they were all housed safely. Matilda had a flat tyre when unloaded and the organizers had pumped the tyre for us. We were given a tulip map to get us back to the hotel but our trip meter was not calibrated so all went well untill right by the hotel (we could see it) but not knowing the exact kilometers we missed the oframp from the highway and spent 45 minutes trying to find the exact way to the hotel  -  most of the time knowing exactly where it was!  What a start to our rallying!

Robert found quite a few nuts and bolts which were tightened and Benjack Phillips (my man in Beijing) has been absolutely wonderful.  Don't quite know what we would have done without him. He is coming to the dinner tonight and not coming to the Great Wall.

Benjack bought me a lovely Sony camera but for the life of me, I cannot get the photos downloaded onto my computer.  I will resort to my iPad until I get that sorted. At the moment we are concentrating on the Garmin, Sabretrip3 tripmeter, satellite phone and route books so do not have much time for the camera!  Sorry Gerrie!  I will get there eventually!

Here is post from Benjack Phillips...... (Thanks Benjack for keeping us in the loop)

Gerrie

I've just spent a great 2.5 days with your parents. They set off for the Great Wall tomorrow morning on the big adventure.

The car is looking well sorted, and if they are carefull, reaching Paris should be no problem.

(they tell me you're meeting them in Paris and will then be driving the car back to Jhb.)

Some photos attached for your reference.

001 First view of the car after many weeks on the boat. Just one flat tire.

002 The first petrol station. I didn't expect Beijing to be this rural!

005 Paperwork. Seems Robert is happy not to be in charge.

006 pink wheels!  The driver is Jenny from Vancouver. blog www.car7pekingtoparis.com

007 Ratracer. Don't be fooled, everything underneath is shiny and new.

008 The Italian neighbours. I've asked for an update on the dramas that are sure to unfold with this team. Nice car btw.

009 Easy fix for ground clearance. BIG WHEELS.

010 Big headlamps. (not quite Hooters though)

011 More big headlamps. Also a team very serious about finishing first.

012 Panamerica racer

013 the Chevrolet club.

all the best

Benjack