RtG Ypres-Istanbul Daily Dispatch - complete - web - Flipbook - Page 33
13 June to 3 July 2022
Day 16
Veliko Tarnovo to Plovdiv (313 km)
29 June 2022
Phillip and Patricia Monks’ Jaguar Mk 2 follows Michael Kershaw
Elizabeth Comstock-Smith’s Range Rover
Michael and Marcus Eatough, 1965 Mercedes-Benz 230 S Fintail
www.rallytheglobe.com
Text & photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
David and Jo Roberts, Triumph TR4
The first Regularity, the so-called Daniels Asphalt, revisited
last night’s stomping ground around the charming town of
Elena. It led the crews through deep woodland alternating
with fields of sunflowers and lavender. The second climbed
the Tvardishki Pass to an altitude of 1,044m before
dropping the cars into the Test at a kart circuit for some
high-octane fun and games. Snacks and cold drinks were
provided for a rally that was hotting up by the minute.
Lunch was at the Time Control in the Damascena Rose
Oil Distillery, producers of unctions and perfumes of all
descriptions. With the mercury hitting 32°C, it was a cool
oasis in which to enjoy delicious food and drink under
some very welcome shade.
John and Nicole Whitelock saw little of this calm, their
Mercedes had a broken half shaft. The crew spent the lunch
break deliberating with the sweeps, deciding a flatbed truck
was their only option. By mid-afternoon the car was on its
way to a garage for further investigation. Ean Lewin was
another late for lunch, his Escort’s alternator had worked
loose. Whilst he and Charlie Neale worked the spanners
from underneath the car, Andy Inskip did the required
from the topside. Within half an hour the car was sorted,
enabling Ean to tuck into his food.
The day’s third Regularity climbed another hill from the
village of Kavakiljka before the route looped back on itself
and into the fourth from Zelenikovo. Next it was onto the
second Test, at the Drakon Circuit outside of Plovdiv. This
big circuit was one the rally really enjoyed if the chatter in
the clubhouse was anything to go by. Yet more chilled drinks
were downed before the short drive into the night halt. This
seemingly straightforward 30km wasn’t without its drama.
Roy Stephenson and Mark Bramall’s Mustang developed an
intermittent electrical issue. Charlie Neale quipped, it would
probably need a big box of new sparks to get it running again.
The Landmark Creek Hotel in Plovdiv is our home for
the next two nights and, as we arrived this evening, our
Bulgarian friends laid on a drinks party with personalised
cupcakes and a fierce local brew to wash them down.
Design: K-Design
Our first full day in Bulgaria saw an action packed
programme on another scorching day. In the road
book were two Tests and four Regularities in the
Tarnovo Hills to keep the crews occupied.