RTG AlMex Daily Dispatch - FINAL - Flipbook - Page 37
27 August to
26 September 2023
Day 21 Bluff to Springdale (505km)
Utah continues to amaze. each day we’re convinced
we’ve seen the most breathtaking scenes of the
entire rally, only for the size and scope of the
landscape to outdo itself. Today, we had another
huge chunk of the ‘life elevated’ State to take in.
17 September 2023
Keith and Norah Ashworth, 1927 Bentley 4½ Le Mans
Fritz and Gabriele Kozka, 1978 Porsche 924
photos: Marcus rowe - gerardbrown.co.uk
The route to the pair of Buttes passage Control, 32km from
the hotel, took us along a rough gravel track threading its
way between dozens of towering stone pillars, some with
giant boulders precariously perched on top. whilst the
temptation was to gaze upwards, a series of rutted arroyos
(steep-sided, dry riverbeds) meant keeping at least one eye
at ground level. Coffee and scones at the Time Control in
the San Juan Inn, Mexican Hat - named after the sombreroshaped stone balancing on a narrow stone pillar - provided a
civilised mid-morning break before the real business began.
The route through the famous Monument Valley was less
impressive than the road just driven, but was another tick
on the bucket list. As we crossed the State line into Arizona
and the navajo national Monument, the rally embarked
on a tough 17km Time Control section. As the cars lined
up at the first Time Control, there was a palpable sense of
excitement. The most competitive crews closely studied
their roadbooks and prepared for combat. Between the five
controls, the loose surface provided plenty of action and, for
a couple of the Bentleys, a little drama.
Clint Smith and Martin Jones’ roadbook went overboard
and, in the heat of battle, Graham and Marina Goodwin ran it
over. To add insult to injury Clint and Martin’s clutch began
to grumble, slowing them down further. The rest of the rally
made it through the navajo territory less eventfully. Then
it was 100km along the highway to lunch and the midday
Time Control at the Grand Canyon Brewing Company, page,
sat right at the tail end of lake powell. Here a selection of
pizzas and cold refreshments were laid out to greet the
hungry crews.
Soon we crossed back into Utah to begin the trek to the
MTC at parry lodge in Kanab, a place claiming it never gets
old. The lodge walls were lined with photographs of actors
that had stayed whilst shooting various movies nearby,
including frank Sinatra, John wayne and Clint eastwood.
with the tyranny of timing removed, the crews were at
liberty to enjoy the relaxed drive through the landscapes
of the incomparable Zion national park to the night halt in
Springdale.
www.rallytheglobe.com