| Subject: Bulletin 1, June '04 |
Author:
Peter Davis
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Date Posted: "Thu, Jun 24 2004, 16:53:01 PDT"
Atlas-Sahara 2004
North African Sportscar Challenge
Bulletin 1, June 2004
There are now twenty seven cars entered in the nine day 3500km Atlas-Sahara 2004 on 5–13 October. Many of those entered are experienced Guild of Motor Endurance competitors and the entry list shows the impressive selection of sportscar manufacturers who are represented together with some interesting specials.
The recce has now been completed and what a fabulous endurance rally is in store for those who will be taking part. Morocco is a wonderful country to explore, and for so much of it; time has stood still. The Atlas-Sahara route through the many mountain formations and across the Southern Moroccan martian landscape will satisfy the most extreme adventurer. It’s going to be hot and the schedule is going to test the best.
The Atlas-Sahara 2004 is going to be tough, and not just on drivers and cars, this rally could well be won or lost by the navigators, and their ability to home in on all 60 controls while they are open. The team of marshalls manning the controls will also have their work cut out, keeping up with their own schedule. For the competitors, reaching every control and taking a Gold will be quite something. There’s no doubt the schedules will give an advantage to the more powerful cars in the barren south and the pace might well catch a few laid back competitors out (influenced by La Carrera Panamericana no doubt). This will balance out on the mountain roads where as usual driver skills and a good handling car come to the fore. As always the combination of having the best car design, the best preparation and the best crew will take the winner’s laurels.
Regarding the proposed overnight return ferry crossing from Almeria to Nador. At the time of leaving to carry out the recce, the ferry company for this route could not confirm the crossing dates and times we required in October. Without this the event schedule could not be finalised. There was no choice but to go with the more reliable ferry timetable offered by the ferry companies along the coast crossing from Algeciras to Tangier.
So it’s official: the return Spain to Morocco ferry crossing will now be the shorter route from Algeciras to Tangier.
The advantages are that there are regular crossings every few hours, so if any crews are running late driving down from Northern Europe they will not miss the start of the rally, instead they will be able to take the next available ferry. The Algeciras - Tangier crossing was used on the 1997 Agadir event and it worked well. As the crossing is quick it will mean crews will not be spending a night in a cabin. A modern hotel in Tangier has been booked to accommodate competitors for the night before the rally.
Monday 4th October is the night that would have been spent at sea (Almeria-Nador). The reduced cost of the Algeciras-Tangier crossing will cover the room on the eve of the rally.
With Tangier replacing Al Hoceima (which is recovering from an earthquake) as the finish of the rally, the day of the 13th October will now be included in the rally itinerary. Yes, it is now a full nine day endurance (we have managed to include the cost of the extra overnight hotel in the entry fee) and competitors will still be back on Spanish soil on the 14th, inshallah.
The hotel in Tangier will be used as the Rally Headquarters for the Start and Finish. This will mean signing-on and scrutineering (from 16:00) will now take place at the hotel on the eve of the rally. Also, without the confusion of disembarking the Almeria-Nador ferry en mass in the morning, and the time consuming customs formalities, the start of the Atlas-Sahara 2004 will now begin: car one at 08:01 from the hotel in Tangier, rather than an approximate time from the Port of Nador.
Fully comprehensive car insurance is available for the duration of the rally in Morocco for approximately £31 from the Port in Algeciras. Alternatively, from the port of Tangier for the same price, third party only.
James Miles has kindly put together a website for Guild of Motor Endurance members and all those who may be interested in taking part. Visit: www.atlas-sahara.com Many thanks James.
Much of the piste in Morocco used by ordinary road cars, on the whole, is fine. It’s just the occasional section that is not so good. Obstacles such as dried river bed crossings and landslides could cause big delays for the lower cars. Such hold-ups would be difficult to allow for in the schedule, hence the 2004 route is now made up of mostly tarmac roads which shouldn’t present any problems.
Due to the remoteness of the route across southern Morocco, all of this section (Merzouga to Sidi-Ifni) will be covered by a sweep car. Nobody will be left behind. Much of the rest of the route will also be followed by the last marshalls vehicle. It should be mentioned that many small towns, even those in the middle of nowhere, have mechanics rebuilding things - what exactly is anybodies guess - but they do seem to have the skill of keeping vehicles running long after their use by date.
Whilst not finishing is not an option in endurance sometimes the problem with the car really is terminal. If you do have to retire with a car that will not move then it’s a matter of asking around for someone with transport (anything and everything seems to be moved about on the back of a lorry!) and have your car taken back to Tangier and onto the ferry. Once in Spain your European Touring AA/RAC repatriation will have the car transported home.
GPS co-ordinates will be given in the Road Book for most of the control positions, although it will be entirely possible to navigate without a GPS.
During the three week recce, we experienced nothing but kindness, amazing hospitality and a genuine friendliness from everybody we encountered. The Moroccans have a true generosity of spirit which will help to make this event a memorable experience for all involved.
There are now nine nights accommodation in lovely 3 & 4 star hotels (with swimming pools), and berber tents in the sand of Erg Chebi, Mezourga (sleeping bags are not required) booked for competitors and covered in the entry fee.
Atlas-Sahara 2004 itinerary:
August 31: Entries close.
Mon Oct 4: board ferry; Algeciras-Tangier
Mon Oct 4: from16:00: signing-on/scrutineering
Leg 1 Tue 5: Tangier: 08:01 Atlas-Sahara Start
Leg 1 Tue 5: Fez
Leg 2 Wed 6: Mezourga
Leg 3 Thu 7: Zagora
Leg 4 Fri 8: TaTa
Leg 5 Sat 9: Tafroute
Leg 6 Sun 10: Marrakech
Leg 7 Mon 11: Khenifra
Leg 8 Tue 12: Meknes
Leg 9 Wed 13: Tangier
Atlas-Sahara Finish, presentations and fantasia.
The cost of the Algeciras-Tangier return ferry is:
approximately £110 (per car and two people) and can be booked through Motorsport Transport, tel: 01295 278 748, speak to Simon or John.
If you are reading this and have not already entered the Atlas-Sahara 2004 and are considering taking part in your sportscar, you should be aware that endurance rallying in a sportscar is a demanding discipline and should not be confused with an ordinary motoring tour. There is no doubt you will see more than your fill of spectacular scenery, but reaching controls on schedule is quite a task. Just ask any member of the Guild of Motor Endurance, or a crew that has attained a Gold, Silver or Bronze, on a previous event. They will tell you what an endurance rally is about and the satisfaction that is to be had from finishing such an event. They may also explain why they come back time after time and push themselves with such determination. Testing sportscar designs and the adventurers that drive them is what the Guild of Motor Endurance is all about.
If you would like to receive regulations and an entry form for the Atlas-Sahara 2004, or be placed on the mailing list, please contact:
Guild of Motor Endurance
10 Coronation Street, Evesham,
Worcestershire, WR11 3DA, England.
tel/eve: +44(0) 1386 45556,
fax/tel/day:+44 (0) 1386 861400
mobile: 07739 173995
carol@annbury.freeserve.co.uk
www.atlas-sahara.com
Peter Davis
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