RTG The Daily Dispatch EL CLAVEL 2026 - Day 0 - Flipbook - Page 4
Day 1: Las Caldas to Santo Estevo, 14 September 2026
We weren’t the only ones facing a tough day in the
mountains. On the run out of town we passed dozens
of Camino pilgrims walking along the hot tarmac as the
mercury inched towards 34°C. As we parted ways with the
footsore faithful, our route took us over the Sierra de Alba
towards the Val del Silencio Regularity and then along the
Río Sil towards a Route Check high above the Río Navea
and another Time Control in Sas de Penelas.
Having caught its breath, the Rally turned its attention
to the final Regularity from Ferreiro. With alternating
sections of gravel and rough tarmac and several wellplaced timing points this kept the crews on their mettle.
Jim Smith and Sarah Ormerod signaled the end of the
day’s competition.
A spectacular tourist run along the rim of the Cañón
del Sil took us to the cool cloisters of the night halt in
the Santo Estevo, Monasterio de Ribas de Sil, where the
crews could reflect on what had been a spectacular first
day, take on a cold drink or two, and then get to work
with the spanners.
We’d travelled through some rugged countryside and
several cars had struggled with the heat. The Goodwin’s
Bentley suffered to the extent that the crew skipped
some timed sections to make a beeline for the night halt
and work out how to keep things cool for the rest of the
week. Similarly, Martyn Reeves and Martin Lamb’s Alvis
Firebird needed frequent stops to rewater, while Michael
Lutolf and Patt Henderson’s Chrysler CM tried to shake
its fuel tank free of its restraints.
Craig McWilliam and Chloe Mackay’s Frazer Nash
also had a shorter than planned day, with a succession
of carburettor and brake issues. Although Steve and
Jenny Verrall’s Frazer Nash-BMW made it through the
entire day, when within sight of the MTC it needed help
tightening its wheel spinners.
Thankfully, the Phillipson’s Alvis, on more or less its
maiden voyage, enjoyed a relatively trouble-free day.
Possibly all the birthday present that Richard could have
hoped for. We wish him many happy returns and many
more trouble-free rallies.
Text & photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Tom Moloney and Paul Musgrave, 1937 Alvis Speed 25
www.rallytheglobe.com
