RTG Espana Daily Dispatch - mid-res - Flipbook - Page 25
Day 11: Oviedo to Santander, 5 May 2022
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Keith Graham and Susan Hoffmann, 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
Neil Oatley and Peta Oatley, 1967 Lancia Fulvia
Enrico Paggi and Federica Mascetti, 1976 Lamborghini Urraco P250 S
we have ever competed on. And this is the best event RTG
have run so far. But, what has really made the rally special,
is the competitors: the atmosphere has been terrific”.
Martin Hunt added “thank you to Mark, Fred, Loren and
all the team; especially the sweep mechanics.
We’ve been following the most beautiful cars through
breathtaking Spanish scenery and we’ve thoroughly
enjoyed every minute of it.”
From the finish line there was just time for a quick wash
and brush up before the prize-giving dinner where, as well
as the overall and class awards, a couple of discretionary
prizes were handed out.
Beat Erni and Barbara Mahrenholz were awarded the
Against all Odds trophy for dealing with their ongoing
fuelling issues. An obviously delighted Barbara said: “This
was our first rally with Rally the Globe and we have loved
it. It was excellent, even though our car broke down twice,
which you could even say was a highlight. All the team and
especially the mechanics were wonderful.’
Chris and Rita Dillier scooped the Spirit of the Rally
award for their unfailingly cheerful attitude both in the car
and in the bar. Rita spoke first and gave a big thumbs up to
the event with one important caveat, “the scenery and the
roads were much better than Chris’s driving”.
Chris batted this aside adding “the rally has been great.
The scenery was beautiful and the whole event was very
well organised. Good competition, great Regularities and
Tests and an extremely good team. And certainly there was
enough food”!
In summing up Rally Director, Fred Gallagher, recalled
that “way back in pre-pandemic 2019, Rally the Globe
set out from this same hotel for their very first event.
Now we’ve returned to Santander after a fantastic and
unbelievable 10th rally and I couldn’t be happier. The spirt
shown by the crews through this Carrera España has been
fantastic and I’m really looking forward to meeting them
all again on some of our rallies in the future”.
Mark Appleton, the Clerk of the Course, was also
very pleased with the way the event unfolded and, after
thanking Fred for putting together such an exceptional
route he went on to congratulate the winners and looked
forward to the next event, running next month. “Carrera
España has been fantastic but we’re not going to sit back
and take our foot off the gas anytime soon. The Rally the
Globe team is putting the finishing touches to the Ypres to
Istanbul Challenge which I’m sure will build on what we’ve
already achieved”.
Gerardus Mercator, Dispatch reporter
www.rallytheglobe.com