Sunday, February 6, 2011

"We could be heroes...


...just for one day".

But, as my knowledgeable co-driver has pointed out, this is a three day event. So maybe we should avoid the heroics.

Yesterday, we successfully negotiated the UAE/Saudi border without any of the dramas and delays which had attended out previous excursions. In fact we were through both in under half an hour, and arrived in Riyadh in mid afternoon. Today we were re-united with the race car, and settled into our 2-bed apartment at the Jebalain, before heading out to rally HQ at Maghwat for documentation. While waiting for that to start, we were given VIP treatment at the Traditional Souk, where vendors of camel accoutrements, crafts-people and food-stalls vied unsuccessfully for our business. These were indeed 'local shops for local people'.


Back at the Jebalain, we are in the presence of greatness. Nasser Al-Attiyeh's Dakar-winning Toureg shares the same carpark and breathes the same oxygen as my humble Patrol. We are not worthy. The only question appears to be the extent of his winning margin in this event.

Tomorrow we have to install the rally GPS, Iritrak and Sentinel, apply the rally stickers and do some final tidying up before scrutineering at 1330hrs.

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