RTG Hanoi Daily Dispatch - for website 2 - Flipbook - Page 35
27 January to
23 February 2024
Day 19 Luang Prabang to Namkat Yorla Pa (212km)
the rally enjoyed a late start today and, as the monks
made their way back to their monasteries with their
alms, we made our way out towards the first test.
a re-run through the grounds of the luang Prabang
stadium and, as before, the crews were given two
laps of a mixed gravel and dirt oval with a tricky
bridge crossing thrown in for good measure.
next up was the driver training test in a tricky urban
simulation with roundabouts and parking bays to give
novice drivers the confidence they need to hit the open
road. this was not designed for pre-war cars however, and
the likes of Keith ashworth and david roberts had their
work cut out wrestling the big Wo and Chrysler around
the high kerbs and into the next short straight. Bob harrod
and dana hradecká’s Porsche 911 on the other hand fairly
skipped through it without missing a beat.
15 February 2024
a long section of countryside followed including a
beautiful section along the ou river with its impressive
dams. a picnic lunch broke the day up nicely and eventually
these stunning roads delivered us to the regularity at
Ban mai. here Fred gallagher, as starting marshal, had
established his control post to hand the crews their revised
speed tables before they began the section through 6km of
dried paddy fields and fruit-laden banana groves.
Kim Bannister was responsible for stopping the clock
just as the gates of the night halt in nam Kat yorla Pa resort
loomed large in the windscreens. set deep in a protected
area of jungle along the nam Kat river, this hidden gem
ensured our last night in laos was a memorable one.
however, nigel and sally Woof will remember today for the
fact that they lost their brakes again. this time the rear
discs took a beating and, whilst the contents of their spares
kit and andy inskip’s ingenuity will see them fight another
day, their discs need skimming at the earliest opportunity.
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
www.rallytheglobe.com
