RTG Espana Daily Dispatch - mid-res - Flipbook - Page 10
24 April to 5 May 2022
Day 4
Soria to Segovia (328.5 km)
28 April 2022
Another damp morning revealed itself as the curtains were pulled open. So, word went around the
barking chain that the dress code, for the vintage and open top cars at least, was to be changed oilskins and sou’wester’s would now be required and the hatches were to be battened down and the
bilge pumps primed.
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Peter and Louise Morton, 1972 Rover P6
From Soria we were westward bound this morning, up and
over the Puerto del Perondillo and into the first Regularity
at Vilviestre del Pinar, which sat at a chilly 1261m. The
woodland was dense and, combined with the dampness,
it came as no surprise that this entire area was part of the
Spanish Micoturistica trail, encouraging people to seek out
mushrooms and learn more of the hidden, but fascinating,
world of fungi. Sinuous singletrack and long sections
through lichen covered pine was the signature feature of
these roads and, with almost no other traffic around, the
crews were free to enjoy the Regularity between the remote
Sierra de la Demanda and Sierra de Rosomo.
There was one more Regularity set for the morning
session, just before the village of Mamolar. This was
followed by a Passage Control in the tiny village of
Peñacoba before the crews rolled into the coffee halt and
Time Control in the Hotel Tres Coronas in Sto Domingo de
Silos where a Guardia Civil Officer lined up the cars for us
in the narrow streets.
The crews had certainly earned a break, but the
morning’s big draw was still to come. Two track Tests some
37km further down the road at the small but perfectly
formed Circuito Kotarr. By now the weather had improved
sufficiently for the sailing metaphors to be stowed safely
away and, with roofs also finding themselves surplus to
requirements, the crews got ready for some fun. Two laps
of the circuit were followed by one lap of the perimeter
track into which some tricky chicanes and S-bends had
been incorporated to get the tyres squealing and make sure
the steering was up to scratch.
After the exertions of the track the short drive to Aranda
de Duero gave the rally a chance to cool down a little before
checking into the Time Control in the Hostal El Ventorro
for a well deserved lunch.
The day’s final Regularity, that of the Sepúlveda
Boulevard, was a stunning one featuring a long open climb
with expansive views over the village of the same name.
Kettle vultures circled overhead, perhaps serving as a
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