We’ve arrived ahead of the rally but there is no sign of the car! James and I were shown around by Dolia, the mother of Rex’s room mate at school – how strange is that! We visited the garage to make sure we are booked in. A really frustrating day being unable to do anything until we have a car to work on.
The following day all the cars have arrived and are being worked on but no sign of ours!. Speaking to the agents they have notified the police and have no idea where the car is. This is unbelievably frustrating. Eventually at around 12.30 I’m informed that the car has arrived so we go down to the garage- not really surprising but there still isn’t a car there.
At around 1.30 the truck arrives – no apologies or explanations! Car off truck and into the garage a quick review from one of the organisers mechanics and its clear that the heads got to come off the engine so that we can find out what has happened. Unfortunately all the garages engineers are working on other cars so its down to James and I to get started.
Its never easy is it? James got an unstoppable nose bleed which although soldiering on gallantly would not stop. Suddenly a nurse was called and Dolia turned up and James was off to hospital. Car 66 is at this stage really struggling to rise from the dead.
A string of bad luck will always turn eventually and the first turning point was Ronaldo coming to help me. He stayed with me until the job was done. The second critical event was the arrival of David Ayre, one of the worlds leading lagonda engineers and a competitor. David knew exactly what the problem was, what the solution was and I very fortuitously had all the spares to replace the 6th piston. Without David’s help exactly the same thing would have happened again.
With David’s input and hands on help rebuilding the car we really have a chance to get back into the rally. It was an unbelievably intense day with fantastic help and support from all sorts of people.
RHC
Your back on track - pistons pumping and a positive place to roll the wheels of misfortune into a roaring road of success with fun and adventure ahead. Keep positive both of you if you can (I know easy to say sitting at home on the computer) but the more hiccups ahead the better the stories become that you can tell to the grandchildren or while waiting for the GC then friends at home!! Thoughts and love travelling with you. Sara
ReplyDeleteGood to watch you back on the road via skytag.have seen great footage of your car crossing the a river in the back of beyond and now looks like you have reached easier conditions.keep going and look after no 6 for us
ReplyDeletepeck