RTG1 - Flipbook - Page 5
Day 1: Aigen im Ennstal to Brdo, 30 September 2024
Text & photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Design: K-Design
Anthony and Sonja Verloop, 1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE
Hans-Martin Schneeberger and Louis Vetter, 1974 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL
a beautiful road through the hills then took us past some
of the famous carinthian castles in the air and on towards
two Tests at the fTZ Mölbling. a set of strong forearms was
required as the rally slid its way through four laps of a very
satisfying circuit. With heads still spinning and appetites
sharpened, the lunch and Time control at the Stift St.
Georgen am längsee gave the crews a welcome break in
the vaulted refectory of this 1000-year-old monastery.
a Regularity above Diex was next, where the route swung
us through countless hairpins towards the first border
crossing of the day at Holmec. This took us into Slovenia
and immediately to a Time control in the Kocka Bar in the
village of Poljana. a finger buffet of local delicacies was on
offer and, having looked at what was still to come, most
crews decided to refuel before striking out towards the
Solčava Panoramic Road and the final Regularity over the
Spodnje Sleme pass.
at a relatively short 8km, this section was the highlight
of the day and ran over some demanding gravel tracks
through a steep and densely wooded landscape. Whenever
the trees allowed the views across the valley were amazing
and, as soon as they reached Jim Smith and Worth Birkill at
the final Timing Point, the crews took full advantage of the
nearby viewing platform.
now on the home run, two more borders needed to
be crossed as the road briefly returned us to austria at
Pavličevo sedlo. Then thirteen sinuous kilometres later
it was back to Slovenia at Seebergsattel and down to the
valley floor for the final push to the night halt in Brdo and
the delights of the Elegans Hotel.
www.rallytheglobe.com
