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Flew to Paris from San Francisco yesterday and today Sammy and I met our custom-painted Amarok and took her for a spin off road. She looks terrific, and handles the really steep angles with ease. We are the only VW Gazelles who did not train on the sand dunes in Morocco early last month so - all we can do is listen and learn. Navigation training is in a day and then all the Gazelles congregate at the Trocadero...sleep over under the Eiffel Tower and then - we are off! Ferme la porte d'entree!!!!
OK I am working through my packing list - slowly, because its in French. So are all my other Gazelle instructions just to add to the challenge!! Below is a terrific video I found on a couple of American competitors - apparently narrated by their Kiwi mate! We appear to be the first Australians to complete in the Rally and we will be flying the flag! So - knowing now officially via my GP and according to Rallye instructions that "this healthy 42-year old female has no contraindications to off-road driving in a motorized vehicle" I head to Paris tomorrow for a day of off-road training (who knew there were dunes in Paris??!) a day of Readers Digest-style" Learn to Land Navigate 123", a gathering of all 302 Gazelles at the Eiffel Tower and a mass convoy to Morocco! So here is the route we take on a lightning drive through France and along the coast of Spain to the ferry that takes us overnight to our secret starting point in Morocco. 
I am driving with my bestie Samantha Stevens, who has a track record of rally wins and lots of off road experience. Which is lucky for me because to date I have racked up 0 rallies and a handful of off road driving hours. NOT TO WORRY - I am hoping that my navigational contribution will be decent as long as the course is not all in Francais...
We are driving courtesy of VW who have entered four turbo diesel Amaroks in the competition. We will be uploading a daily video blog during our drive to the Rally....and during the Rally. Havnt worked out what our channel should be called - all suggestions welcome - along with tips on land navigation. |
AuthorSally Dominguez writes, skis, designs and teaches, is curious about most things and loves Dr Seuss. Archives
August 2014
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