|
Click
on the Thumbnail to enlarge
|
|
Mini Europe
Rally 2000
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The
Mini Europe Rally is a 4-day driving event that
takes place every year. In 2000 I took part in this
Rally as navigator/driver together with Judith Dalman.
The event is not intended as a race, it is a pure
navigation rally. And a tough one too. The Rally took
us through Switzerland, Germany, France, Luxemburg,
Belgium and finishing in Holland. |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Day
1, Zuficon (CH) - Neuchatel (CH)
Prologue.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
We all met up at Nick's garage. The organisation decided
to take it easy the first day so they didn't make
it too difficult. A simple navigation to the hotel
in Neuchatel. The day was mostly taken up by the administrative
side, attaching the coveted Rally stickers on the
car and getting the rally packs.
Then the fairly easy bit to Neuchatel, leading us
to believe this rally would be a piece of cake ......
We are in third place at the end of this day.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day
2, Neuchatel (CH) - Bolwiller (F)
Stages 1, 2, 3 and 4.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bad weather greets us at Neuchatel. The first stage
is through the mountanous terrain of Switzerland and
it's full of snow. Taking the high passes is rather
tricky, as we are not experienced snow-drivers. A
few near misses occur, and some Minis get into real
trouble by slipping and sliding into eachother or
other obsticles. The drive though is great, the scenery
stunning. But we all feel relieved that the last two
stages are cancelled because of the weather, much
to the dismay of the Organisers. We are still third
and already begin to feel a bit tired ... maybe this
isn't such a walkover after all .....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day
3, Bolwiller (F) - Luxembourg (L)
Stages 5, 6, 7 and 8. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stage 5 is a complete disaster. Okay fun, but still
a disaster. We arrive too late because of, er, yes
of what ? We majorly lose our way anyway. Hence we
miss stage 6. After just a quick sandwich we are on
our way again for stage 7 and do this fairly well.
Just when we were thinking about our beds, the Organisation
announce that today is Night Stage day, start at 22.00h.
Oh joy, driving in the dark. We lose 20 minutes looking
for clues where there are none, and then proceed to
a small Luxemburg town where we are stopped by the
Police. Along with 30 other Minis. Appearantly people
complained. After some skillfull negotiation by the
oganisation, we are escorted by the Police to our
hotel. A great sight, 30 Minis in the dark with a
Police car in front with it's lights on !
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Day
4, Luxemburg (L) - Maastricht (NL)
Stages 9, 10, 11 and 12. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Again some long and tough stages. The drive is long
and goes through the parts of Luxemburg and the Ardennes,
to finally end up in Maastricht.
The last stage is cancelled due to time reasons. The
schedule was very tight in this Rally, and only one
little thing needed to happen to upset it.
We ended up 15th in our class, which was not bad considering
... But we were extremely tired. There is really no
let off in the Rally, you're on the road most of the
time and certainly kept busy. The stages are no Tour
event, and both driver and navigator need to concentrate
all through the drive, as distance and direction have
to be constantly checked. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| But
we will be back. This is addictive stuff ! And a great
time too.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Click
on the Thumbnail to enlarge
|
|
