RtG The Daily Dispatch - Carrera Andalucia - day 00 - Flipbook - Page 15
Day 8: Carmona loop, 30 June 2025
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Adrian and Christine Hodgson, 1955 Austin A90 Westminster
Paul Hughes and Hannah Jenkins, 1973 Mercedes-Benz 350 SL
Matthew English and Kristy Porter, 1961 Porsche 356
Ivan Mans and Archana Roosen, 1971 Aston Martin DBR2
The Lunch Time Control, at the Hotel Cortijo Torre de
la Reina, was another lavish affair with an excellent buffet
and time for the crews to enjoy the shady, well-manicured
grounds. However, the afternoon saw a change of pace, with
three Tests at a very modern racetrack on the outskirts of
Seville. Once again the mercury reached new heights and,
as the Organisers handed out gallons of isotonic drinks,
rose to 43°C at circuit’s centre.
The first two Tests were run in the ‘usual’ format, on the
shorter track, with the cars given a time after completing
their laps. There were plenty of long corners, some fast
straights and a couple of chicanes. In most cases the crews
set a blistering pace under a blistering sun before being
given the chance to cool off at the Time Control in the pit
lane cafe.
The third Test needed a bit more concentration, especially
from the navigators. Each car ran five laps, the first for
familiarisation of the 4,230m ‘full circuit’, the second
to set their chosen pace, then two to match that pace as
closely as they could. The final lap was to cool down and
exit the circuit before tackling the narrow cobbled streets
on the way back to the night halt.
The pool at the Parador in Carmona was again a popular
pre-dinner destination and, once the rally had reached a
suitably comfortable temperature, the crews sat down to
smoked trout, tuna steaks and pumpkin pie.
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