Rallye mail

Rallye Sud 2002/3/4 Stages

The Rally left from Central London on November 2nd (2002). Stages were planned through Northern France to Paris, then to the Alps for the Monte Carlo section, through Spain for a variety of stages before taking the ferry to Morocco.

The Sahara was the next big feature of the Rally where various human and mechanical survival capabilities were tested to the full.

Central Africa involves interesting terrain and road surfaces will be a big feature. Dangerous animals will also be involved along with orienteering and re-orienteering skills. Special reversible maps are being organised and all competitors will be fitted with geostat receivers and antennae.

Accommodation en route:-
A friend of team 35 grew up in Tanganyika-now Tanzania. Her father was the Commodore of the Dar es Salaam yacht club in the late 1950's. It is still there and functioning, as her bother visited the palace about 18 months ago. The YC says that they will be happy to accommodate the(Virtual) rallyists en route, although space might be a little on the tight side.

Kenya.
Helen Roberts' (Team 21) husband runs a quarry and lime kiln. The quarry is often used by local car rallies including the (Virtual) Equator Rally, the quarry may be offered for special stages and Helen may be invited to provide free eye tests for Rallye Sud participants.

We are being escorted through Kenya by Dr Helen Roberts who is an experienced Rallyist with extensive local knowledge.

The last leg is to the South African coast (the next 'land' is the south pole) where the virtual champagne (or similar) will be splashed and virtual trophies presented. All proceeds, without deduction, (Catalyst Systems is paying all administration expenses and keeping full accounts) will be handed over at ceremony by the winner to selected organisations with a proven record of assisting children in difficulty. We expect a healthy sum will be generated and all funds will be given to charities as defined here.

For an optional £20 entrance fee the car and driver got an official virtual sticker and be entitled to select a navigator/friend to go with them (paying guests may be taken on board at the driver's discretion). The driver was also be able to select items, from our virtual rally stores to ensure that the journey could be as sweet as possible. Items including travelling rugs, travelling soap, special nuts, official survival kits, tappets, fresh underwear as well as a number of mystery items could also be taken.

The drivers were asked to provide details of the car being entered and to accept a scrutineers' evaluation. A passport photograph and a few jabs were also necessary. Works cars were available. Drivers had to be members of a 2CV Club or be specially invited to participate. Each stage has been reported , drivers (who have not ticked the 'no-publicity box' have given interviews and supporters have been encouraged to mark progress in their atlases with felt tipped pens.

This was a genuine once-in-a-lifetime event. (The next one is now in its planning stage - to enquire e-mail: Next-Rally-Enquiry@2CVTV.com )