Days 4 and 5 - Arctic Winter Trial
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John Haden and Arne Kral with their Volvo XC90
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Day 4 started from Östersund with new arrivals in two teams: car 6 (Volvo Amazon) was joined by the famed 60's Swedish rally driver Carl Magnus Skogh and Håkan Bäcklund; and car 27 (Range Rover Vogue) was joined by a further family member, Dr Anantt Dayah. This was particularly exciting for car 27 as it meant they were able to participate competitively for the first time on the event. They were clearly keen to become serious contenders, starting the first Regularity Section of the day in crash helmets and fire suits.
The highlight of Day 4 was the first Test on an ice circuit at Andviken, where everyone enjoyed two laps of skidding. Afterwards, members of the local motor club brought out some of their own cars and some lucky participants were able to take advantage of the club's very kind hospitality and drive specially prepared vehicles on the circuit.
The day finished its run into Lycksele, southern capital of Lapland, with a Regularity Section and another handling and manoeuvrability Test on a particularly icy track. But once again it was the organisers who suffered the mishaps of the day. The results team became familiar with bottom of a ditch when it pulled over to let a course car overtake, while the Clerk of the Course enjoyed a spectacular (public) fall at the test circuit.
The inhabitants of Lycksele were keen to welcome the Rally with open arms and show the event true Swedish hospitality. So, at 18:00 prompt the participants piled onto two coaches and were taken on a brief sightseeing excursion, ending in a tour of the Lycksele Zoo which included watching the seals being fed, before the participants received their own feeding.
Day 5 from Lycksele saw an extra Test Section added at the last moment and the Rally returned to yesterday's circuit for another icy turn. Two Regularity Sections then followed: the second was particularly pleasant, leading the participants for 50 km through Swedish Lapland on winding, ice-packed roads. On this eventful Section, George and Elizabeth Baird (Sunbeam Rapier III B) found themselves stuck behind a slow-moving local, as they tailed a cantering, young elk. Meanwhile David MacKay and Desmond Smail (Aston Martin DB6) had an opportunity to practise speed wheel changing, and then had the great fun of trying to catch up time.
The clear sky and bright sunshine meant for an ideal photo opportunity, as the event crossed into the Arctic Circle for the first time at lunchtime. This was followed by the first lunch halt in the Arctic, at Jokkmokk. The rest of the day saw the final run along the main road to the night halt in Kiruna.
It is with anticipation that we await our rest day antics tomorrow.
© Jerey and Antler 7.3.03
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