Edo Mossi the promoter of the Merzouga is a good listener.Known to lay out difficult events his decision to split the Rallye into 2 classes is a very good one. It gives the hobby rider some reasonable chance to enjoy the experience, still challenging but with more opportunity to run at a safer speed and distance.
Day one proved a nice warm up day 107 km for the experts and 153 for the pros over a route difficult to navigate but without the huge dunes for which this Rallye is famous .
Vincent and Brian have had a good steady day and back in Parc Ferme without any major incidents. Provisional Results :
Brian has pipped Vincent today finishing 21 with Vincent 23 in the experts class some 3 minutes apart. Game On! Overall Henk Knuiman is 2 minutes ahead of Ullevaalseter.
Vincent checked into CP2 the last CP for the experts and then continued on to follow the route for a further 20 km before realizing his error. He turned back to the CP and registered a correct finish.
Vincent:
” Grand day ( in his best Cork accent) really no problems. Got lost a bit 3 times and then went on at the last check when told to do so by ….. ( not Nick!). Sure it was not too bad … . Happy to get that day over and the nerves settled.”
Brian:
” I am annoyed. I missed a GPS point went back to register it but it was too dangerous with the SSV heading towards me so I left out. Will have to take the penalties. That possibly cost me 30 minutes plus the penalty. Sure I will have to be more careful tomorrow. Vincent passed me when I went back …. Is he in front now ?”
But of friendly rivalry in the camp!
There can be nothing worse in a Rallye then to have a mechanical at the first check of the week.
Such was the case with this Turkish rider Koray Ozkaplan (SPORTMOTO TURKISH) when it appears his FI system failed.
There are 20 nations represented at this years Merzouga including riders from Japan – Tetsunori Sukenobu (BOANO RACING).
Tomorrow the day will be longer and possibly with some small dune crossings.
Enduro.ie