RTG Gazette - Third Ed - WEB - Flipbook - Page 8
Review
October 2019
It seems a lifetime ago now that our first rally,
Carrera Iberia started out from Santander in Spain.
30 crews faced 9 days of competition, over 3,470 km
of amazing roads, superb hospitality and one very
special ‘rest’ day in the Douro Valley in Portugal,
before they reached the finish line on the Algarve.
Clemens & Emilia Lansing
This was a superb rally, extremely
well-organised, attention to detail, good
atmosphere with great people and
support team, truly rally family.
The roads especially in Spain were
extremely well chose, very little traffic.
Superb hotels!
On day one, the sell-out entry of motoring exotica lined up in the sunshine outside
of the impressive Hotel Real to be flagged away, through the start arch by Rally
Director, Fred Gallagher and Events Manager, Loren Price.
The route took crews over deserted asphalt roads, off the beaten track, through
remote villages, over rolling hills and rugged mountains, past olive groves and
vineyards as far as the eye could see. The rally stayed in a combination of ancient
Paradors, charming Pousadas and modern five-star hotels. During one overnight
halt in Trujillo, on Spain’s National Day, the cars drew huge crowds to the Plaza
Mayor, where we had secured special permission from the Mayor to park in the
historic square (pictured below right).
There were also some fantastic circuit-based tests for the competitors to enjoy,
including a memorable visit to the (very wet) Estoril Circuit just outside of Lisbon.
Regularities of course featured throughout the event and two notable ones
included the ‘Crooked Road’ and ‘Wildcat Pass’ sections – where we are pleased
to report that, after the latter, all of our marshals returned safely to their vehicles
without any feline interference!
A private ferry took the rally across to the Troia Peninsula where it enjoyed a
traditional Portuguese seafood lunch, before striking out once again to the sundrenched finishing arch in Vilamoura.
Neil & Peta Oatley
On-event support was superb. The
mechanical support was wonderful
when we needed it. All the
marshals were excellent, helpful
and very good-natured.