Day 20

After a relatively late start from the excellent Mount Aru Hotel in Arusha, we started a 100 mile drive towards Dodoma across some great African countryside; whole plains opening up and very green. When we arrived in the ares of the competitive sections, it was wet. This was the first rain since Europe for the rally but wet weather in Africa is different because all but the main roads are dirt or mud. 

The competitive section was over 100km of winding African bumpy bush roads. So are just over 3 minutes behind leader Andy Actman in his Toyota and he was determined to hold onto his position. We were faster on the tight and twisty sections and he had more grunt on the hill climbs and more suspension travel over the rough stuff. We were going well and overtook him when we thought we had a puncture so we pulled over to look and no puncture - despite a smell of rubber.

Anyway, we finished the day exactly the same amount of time behind him as at the start which was a shame as without the puncture false alarm, we would have saved 2 minutes. 

Andy is a good guy though (as is his co-driver Andrew) and they were good to their word that if we caught them up (we leave at 1 minute intervals), he would pull over and he did. He paced himself excellently though to prevent us picking up any time on him. 

One surprise was appearing round a bend at speed to see a troop of baboons lining the road, obviously wanting to see what the noise was about. They looked on curiously as we passed but didn't seem too impressed.  

We then had a beer at the hotel in Dodoma with the Belgian team from the 911. We've got to know them better over the weeks and this is how to go rallying, with friend and lots of supplies; and I don't just mean car spares. Several of the 4x4s are in the team too and while one principally deals with servicing the gorgeous Tuthill built 911 (Frances Tuthill himself being with the rally), others (also competing) also carry a lot more including some excellent food and drink. They are very hospitable with their supplies but Joost and Jacque from the 911 are also very competitive and quick. Despite taking an hour's penalty for using non-period suspension which they declared, they could still catch up. Tomorrow will be a good day for them with a rocky hill climb and they are bound to do well in Namibia and South Africa. They are currently in third with a full week still to go and other cars and crews are feeling the strain of hard daily driving on some of the most challenging roads in the world followed by evening maintenance and repairs. 

The scene is set for a fascinating finale over the last week of the event. I'm chasing Andy and Joost and Jacque are chasing us both in a much faster car but more than an hour behind. 

Just arriving Dodoma, Tanzania after muddy section in Tanzanian hills. 

Arriving Dodoma Hotel. This is after car had been washed - see earlier. 

Roadside repairs at a Kenyan 'workshop'

About to start a competitive section in the Tanzanian jungle area 100 miles from Dodoma. 

Our poor £10k Impreza is taking a hammering but is holding together. We now have a little more ride height at the back but there are several squeaks, bumps and groans on the rough stuff. We are not alone in this though and an examination of cars in the car park displays lots of war-wounds on every car. Never have strips of gaffa tape, tie-wraps and self tapping screws been used in so noble a cause as to get our cars to Cape Town. It would be a real shame to drop out now. Unfortunately, that happened yesterday with the other 911 in our class when it caught fire and was burnt out. Fortunately, the crew got out safely. 

Tomorrow, we are moving towards Zambia but a long heavy day of further punishment for the cars.