Africa Rally Maestro progress thread

[E_T_V]

More details here:

http://www.londoncapetownrally.com/route.html

Scroll to the bottom. It isn't a short event!

[G51 NAV]

It's a Maestro, T16'd or not they are a great little car

Suddenly people are actually realising that to be true, nearly 30 years too late. Or is it more true that the Maestro is like the Stag, which you can now buy with total confidence knowing you're getting a reliable, adreneline-pumping GT sports car, but only because it's taken 40 years to make it work properly .

[Captain Slow]

It's not an 825 Coupe, John!

[John C]

Eh?

[Guest]

Day 1. 5th Overall - 2nd in class
Day 2. 3rd Overall - 2nd in class
Day 3. 4th Overall - 2nd in class
Day 4. 4th Overall - 2nd in class
Day 5. 4th Overall - 2nd in class
Day 6. 4th Overall - 2nd in class
Day 7. Travel day
Day 8. 4th Overall - 2nd in class
Day 9. 5th Overall - 2nd in class

The Maestro Girls were second overall at Dover after two forests and 40 miles of map reading navigation (but, I could be wrong...Kent sounds such a long time ago!).

The car got a six minute boost from the Porsche 911 breathing down its neck today. They clocked out wrongly incurring a six minute penalty. They hoped to gobble up the Maestro today as it was just a minute behind. Its a wonder the car is still in the top ten according to everyone else on the event (its the lowest powered car out of the 44). Kent, good showing expected (Gill Cotton is ace on maps). But here we are, entering Ethiopia, and its going like clockwork while everyone else has some sort of problem or other. Peugeot 205 limping, 504s running on three cylinders today, Merc which had mountains of cash thrown at it now a day behind, an Escort breaking front suspension on a pothole, a Datsun 240Z losing its fan...others having suspension issues. The girls gave the car its first wash tonight, and then went to dinner. Everyone else was out under their cars - says it all.

Still 5th, but a long (200 kms ) gravel test to come, and the Porsche driver has done the Dakar six times, and its getting just a bit fed up.

Practical Classics did a wise thing putting their stickers on this car at the start - what a story they can tell!

Can someone keep Keith Adams up to date at AustinRoveronline.com?

[Guest]

Philip, I have spoken to Keith via Facebook, and he is keeping upto date on the rally's progress and is due to update the AR Online site tonight.

He has also asked me to let you know that (in his own words) he has .........

I've carpet bombed Octane with the rally too! (Keith Adams)

Having followed the progress of the rally, reading up on how many of the teams have had to make repairs, adjustments and had damage fixed.......

Whereas the girls have just motored on whithout need for any, it shows how well the car was prepared prior to the start. and that it has proven the effort worth while.

My congratulations go to Tony and the team for a job well done resulting in a "well sorted" car.

My best wishes for a succssefull transit south go to the girls and all teams taking part.

NB: I must apologise for not attending the gathering at Brooklands or the start in London as previously discussed..
On the Thursday prior to New year I found myself in Bath Royal United Hospital in need of Emergency Abdominal Surgery, which was carried out on the Friday early Am, and I was not released until the Wednesday after New year.
I am now resting at home unable to drive or travel very far on my own, but improving slowly.

Mal.

[E_T_V]

Yes I think my numbers were a bit wrong at the start, I'll have to do an edit when I get a moment to get it right.

Lets hope it keeps going just as well for the little maestro in the coming days.

[E_T_V]

Day 1. 2nd overall
Day 2. 2nd overall
Day 3. 4th overall
Day 4. 4th overall
Day 5. 4th overall
Day 6. 4th overall
Day 7.
Day 8. 4th overall
Day 9.
Day 10. 5th overall
Day 11. 5th overall
Day 12. 5th overall
Day 13. 5th overall

[E_T_V]

Day 14. 5th overall
Day 15. 5th overall



Apparently the suspension has spring a leak on the car but lets hope it soldiers on.

[F825 UBD]

Day 14. 5th overall
Day 15. 5th overall

[E_T_V]

Day 16. 8th overall (Broken accelerator cable, and a fuel pipe leak). Still 2nd in class though.

[Guest]

I can't believe how well they're going - it's bloody awesome!
I'm not really a car 'anorack' by any stretch (as Philip will confirm) but I find myself checking the results and trackers all too often...
It's funny how the old heart rate rises when checking progress and results, eh?!!

[E_T_V]

A text I recieved earlier today says they aren't in the top 8 anymore, so I wonder where they are or have they simply slipped down another place.

[E_T_V]

News just in....

Jane Edgington and Gill Cotton were the first small car to reach Nairobi. They have a bonnet pin torn out by vibration. Jane said "it's the only thing broken but it's crying out for some service ...I now know what hell looks like, truly dreadful road ...it's an amazing car, I just don't know how it got here. There's carnage out there."

[John C]

They are now in 11th, but still inside the top 25% (44 cars started and 42 are still running) -a stunning giant-killing performance when you look at what cars are ahead (and still behind them):
http://www.londoncapetownrally.com/r...lts_TC17.6.pdf


Andy Fowkes,

I presume you are the son of Tony Fowkes who prepared the car? Did we meet when I visited the workshop?

-JC