At risk of inciting any "That's what she said!" outbursts, I'd like to go on record as saying that the Gazelle Rally was the hardest thing I've ever done. 8 days of competition in Morocco, driving 4x4 trucks to checkpoints using only a compass and an old map, through dunes and washes, over camel grass and rock fields, without chase vehicles or pit stops.
#GazelleRally Update: Days 3-6 w/ broken chassis
Even with broken chassis (although I doubt how broken it really is) we are both proud of our progress
Day 2 & 3: Two Flats, a Broken Chassis, and an Awesome Day of Dune…
As I write this we are in the middle of a dust storm outside of Erfoud, but the sun is still up so I am a happy gal: Tonight I will get more than 4 hours of sleep before the head of the Gazelles organization walks through the bivouc calling out; "Bonjour Gazelles!!" at 4am
You get a map, some coordinates, a truck, and a compass. Now go find 7 …
It sounds difficult, and you don’t even know. After today I realize that every other race I've ever done has been easy: This is by far the most difficult thing I've ever done, although I'm not talking about the driving. Today it was fine: Yes, we got stuck twice; but not for very long. We have MaxTrax pretty much the…
Gazelle Rally Update: Pre-run check points
Today: was the prologue. Like a pre-run: 3 hours to get 6 check points: The as the crow flies total of km was 69:
When you pay $18000 in fees for a rally where GPS is forbidden, you don't let a missing car stop you! As a North American competitor in the Rally Aicha des Gazelles, you can either ship your vehicle or rent your vehicle. My team decided to rent our vehicle. It costs more, around $9000, but logistically it’s just easier. Three of the five US teams shipped their own trucks, and arrived in morocco to find them still on the ship and nowhere near Casablanca.
Have you heard of the all female rally in Morocco where competitors drive 9 days off road in Morocco with no GPS? Yeah, until 2010 I hadn't either.
Driver's name is Buddy Crisp and he's completely awesome.
Indeed. I drive 1600 and I (unfortunately) live on the east coast. So factor in a flight out, a drive from LAX to Barstow or wherever, sharing a hotel room with stinky, snoring guys, a race, and a red eye back to DC (shower probably not taken) to be at my day job by 9am on Monday. And I totally love every minute of…
Me too Toby!! You were such a hero that day! A billion hours in a class 11 FTW!!!
