RTG Carrera Iberia The Daily Dispatch - all days - Flipbook - Page 4
Day 1: Santander - Rioja, 8 October 2019
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Another short road section to the second Passage Control
in Saratxo took the rally past the occasional vineyard and
acres of freshly ploughed fields, veiled with a light autumn
mist. There was an impressive climb to 900m over the Puerto
de Orduna and a short motorway blast which delivered us
to an excellent tapas lunch at the parador Argomaniz.
Once the plates had been cleared away and the crews
had settled back into their cars, then the afternoon’s fun
and games began with the second Regularity at Areatza.
This, a narrow and scrubby hill climb under full sun and a
blue sky was accompanied by the sound of countless, full
throated Spanish crickets, giving it perhaps their last gasp
for the year.
And, as we neared the night halt in Rioja, the dense and
well tended olive groves swapped places with a reassuring
amount of well fruited vineyards, but before we could even
think about a glass or two of the region’s most famous
liquid, there was a the Cir-cuito de Navarra to negotiate.
Two laps of this most excellent track gave the eager crews
a chance to make amends for any penalties they’d accrued
in the two preceding Regularities. At almost 4km long and
with stunning views across the surrounding countryside,
this was indeed a popular Test and the ever feisty Manuel
Dubs made sure he saw it from every possible angle with a
360° back straight pirouette worthy of Nureyev.
As a way of rounding off the day, topping this high
octane adrenaline fix was going to be hard to beat. But
there was another surprise in store on the way to the night
halt, by way of a visit to the Bodega Vina Real. Here we were
welcomed with an exquisite wine tasting tour, tapas and a
guided walk through the ancient and modern production
facility and storage caves.
Anthony and Lee-Ann Strelzow, 1936 Bentley Derby Drophead Coupe
Mick and Grace de Haas, 1966 Mercedes-Benz 230SL
Finally, over dinner this evening, nestled in the rolling
rolling vineyards, we got to taste some of the local produce
along with excellent steak and fine postre.
As for the examination grade, we’re delighted to report
that the student achieved a well deserved distinction.
Tomorrow, the journey continues and we move on to a
different wine region.
Wilfried and Sandra Schaefer, 1973 Porsche 911S
Geradus Mercator, Dispatch reporter
www.rallytheglobe.com
