RTG AlMex Daily Dispatch - FINAL - Flipbook - Page 2
27 August to
26 September 2023
Pre start & scrutineering
Anchorage
27 August 2023
photos: Marcus rowe - gerardbrown.co.uk
Alaska and Mexico, two names on a map but by
the time we’ve journeyed between them we’ll
have covered 12,000km and crossed 38 lines of
latitude. from the chill fringes of the Arctic Circle
to the warm embrace of the Tropic of Cancer.
Today, Rally the Globe (RtG) and almost 50 endurance
rally crews, assembled in downtown Los Anchorage or The
City of Lights and Flowers, for what is probably their most
ambitious rally so far. To indicate what’s to come over the
next 30 days, this is the first event RtG have designated
as a Marathon. The toughest of all, with long days and
significant off-road sections to be enjoyed along the route.
The day before any big rally comes scrutineering,
occupying that liminal space between the everyday and
the epic. Today is when the jet lag vanishes, the nervous
tension disappears and the excitement ramps up.
whilst the party may have just got underway, there is
pre-start business to deal with. The cars need to be checked
for safety and compliance by the sweep teams and the
paperwork with associated rallying issues dealt with by the
ever attentive on-event admin team. naturally, for such a
long event, there is a full compliment of both.
As usual, the mechanics Andy Inskip, Charlie neale, Jamie
Turner, Jack Amies and russ Smith had plenty to do. Keith
Ashworth’s Bentley had developed fuel supply issues during
its long sea crossing but, after some judicious tinkering,
the car was running well. neil Smith and Trevor Skillen’s
Sunbeam Tiger was not roaring and, as well as the sweeps,
there was a crew of friendly locals pitching-in to sort what
is feared to be a lubrication issue deep within the engine.
Gill Cotton and Iain Tullie took charge of the paperwork.
As each crew finished signing-on and left the rally office,
the navigators were almost lost beneath the huge stack of
maps and roadbooks that will be their constant companions
over the next month.
newcomer to the team, david Harris, handed out GpS
tracking beacons, instructing the competitors in their
operation. dr John llewellyn and Sarah ormerod, the on
event medics, were also on hand dispensing sage advice
on how to stay well for the duration. Briefings were given
by Mark Appleton, the Clerk of the Course, and fred
Gallagher, the rally director, who, with help from local girl
Sarah ormerod, has put together much of the route.
“It really is the ultimate rally and to finish it will be a
great challenge and an achievement for the competitors
and the organising team. we’ll see some amazing wildlife,
enjoy incredible scenery along some wonderful roads, with
of course - lots of gravel.
It’s fantastic to see so many old friends and new faces
here in Anchorage, a great group of over a hundred likeminded people in fifty cars, all excited to get going on what
is sure to be the adventure of a lifetime.”
www.rallytheglobe.com