Day 8 Mt Kenya Safari Club to Lion Hill Camp (191.69 km) 23 February 2020 - Rally the Globe
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15 February to 5 March 2020
Day 8 Mt Kenya Safari Club to Lion Hill Camp (191.69 km) 23 February 2020
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Rob Collinge and Thomas Hansen, Willys Jeep
2000m altitude means a chilly start to the day -
even on the equator. But more so when you add a
9am start to the mix and the sun has barely had a
chance to reach into the shadows.
As the morning progressed we drove higher and it grew
colder and, just before lunch, some of the open car crews
were seen reaching for their jackets. What a difference a
week on the road makes. throughout this section was just the sort that rally cars
The unseasonably wet conditions here in East Africa are were made for and it allowed for a certain amount of
making the dirt roads very muddy. Which has resulted showboating through the corners.
in the occasional 48 hour car mandated re -route. Today, The short little Willys Jeep, for example, seemed to have a
however, it was Gill Cotton, the Deputy Clerk of the Course great deal of trouble staying in a straight line, whilst Graham
who, merely one hour before the cars were due to leave, and Marina Goodwin had trouble making one of the turns
made the call to Andy Inskip at the MTC telling the Rally to and ended up stuck in a field. All four wheels of the Bentley
divert via the main road. gripped by the mire. With the stopwatch ticking away in the
The mud was too thick through some of the villages and, background Graham finally rocked his way to freedom.
whilst it was beginning to dry out in places, the ruts this The Second Regularity at Ngobit was totally different. It
created were something of a hazard. Especially to the low was a straightforward hill climb, on exceptional new tarmac
slung rally traffic. So taking the long and, relatively, smooth and featured great views over the plains as we made our
way round to the first Passage Control at Naro Moru, we way towards 3,000m and the lunch halt at Thomson’s Falls
headed to the Regularity at Lengitia Farm. Lodge. The schedule was relaxed enough for the crews to
There was also mud here for sure, but it hadn’t been both enjoy the buffet lunch and stroll down to the viewing
churned and folded into the same car stopping mass area with some lucky enough to be given the chance to pet
which we’d just avoided. In fact, the sort of mud we found a chameleon.
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Day 8: Mt Kenya Safari Club to Lion Hill Camp, 23 February 2020
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Alan and Tina Beardshaw, Triumph TR6 Graham and Marina Goodwin, Bentley 4 ½ Le Mans, lost time on the
regularity at Lengitia Farm today dropping them down the leaders board
David and Susan Danglard didn’t have this luxury
though, their Porsche had suffered a blowout during the
morning session, so they had diverted to a local tyre depot
to have the spare fitted to the rim.
Michael and Eunice McInerney were late in, their Mustang
was running too hot, so they needed to let it cool down
from time to time. The sweeps wondered if perhaps the
AC unit was adding to the strain on the cooling system
leaving the crew with a choice. Either they were hot or
the car was hot. Marjan and Rogier Quekel were also seen
limping a little throughout the day and it’s thought that
their clutch might be slipping. As we’ll be at Lion Hill for
two nights they’ve got the option of missing tomorrow’s
day of driving and trying to get to the bottom of the issue.
Throughout the afternoon we crossed and re-crossed the
Equator many times as we headed to the night halt on Lake
Nakuru in the National Park of the same name. Once the Clint and Dawn Smith, Jaguar E-Type
daily spanner checks had been carried out and the crews
had freshened up a little, many of them headed out once
again for an evening’s game viewing and were rewarded
with some remarkable encounters with a herd of Rhino.
Pre-dinner local entertainment set the mood for a very
lively evening, although we all had an eye on the clock as
there’s an early start tomorrow morning and a long day
ahead.
Gerardus Mercator, Dispatch reporter
David and Susan Danglard’s Porsche 911 suffered a tyre blowout today
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15 February to 5 March 2020
Day 9 Lion Hill Camp loop (377.96 km) 24 February 2020
Today was a long day and yet again it was definitely another day of two halves. Fred Gallagher had
hinted that it would be something special, so had scheduled an early start but, for the first hundred
kilometres, there was no hint of anything out of the ordinary.
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
It was still dark then when most of the rally came down ever upwards. And, to add to their distress, the tarmac
to breakfast, but there was just enough light to see that ran out as we approached the second Regularity, at the
Rogier and Marjan Quekel were looking very pleased with Fluorspar Mine.
themselves. They had feared that they’d be sitting the day This was the days big ticket and is a section well known to
out in the camp, trying to track down a new clutch for Ramesh Bhalla and John Lockhart–Mure, two key members
their ‘stricken’ Mercedes. However, salvation had arrived of our Kenyan crew. Many Classic Safari Rallies have used
the previous evening, in the form of Jamie Turner, who this section, so the locals who came out to watch and wave
diagnosed and repaired a faulty master cylinder. After were well used to the sight and sounds of our cars crashing
polishing off some coffee and pastries they were free to through river crossings and slipping around hairpins. It
check out of the Main Time Control bang on time. was certainly a tough section, testing the crews and their
Having cleared the Nakuru environs we began a slow suspension for just over 15km. Needless to say the Tuthill
climb into the hills through many little villages to the first Porsche factory team loved every minute of it.
Passage Control at Lominira Splendor for a quick coffee Lunch, at the Samich Resort, was a touch under 2,800m
and a snack. The tarmac was good, the traffic was light, and came as a welcome relief for everyone. It allowed Alan
so soon enough everyone reached the Second Passage Beardshaw to get the car up on a jack and take a look at a
Control at Baringo View which, as its name implied had damaged oil cooler. Jamie Turner effected a running repair
breathtaking scenery for us to enjoy. This is Rift Valley good enough to get the Triumph back to the night halt.
country and the scale of the landscape is immense. Denis and Jill Wilson’s Rover had a slightly bigger issue
The first Regularity was on the road to Kapsoo and, than getting into lunch on time. After a few kilometres of
on the way, we just noticed the altimeter tipping above struggling their V8 was dragged up the track – an incredible
2,000m. Some of the cars were, by now, also feeling a little feat in itself – to have its fuel pump replaced by the ever
breathless in the heat and thinning air, as the road went vigilant sweep team of Malcolm Destro and Andy Inskip.
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Day 9: Lion Hill Camp loop, 24 February 2020
The afternoon was, compared to the morning, fairly
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
straightforward. It was smooth and downhill, which
enabled most of the rally to get back to Lion Hill camp
by mid afternoon. After they’d checked in at the Main
Time Control some of the cars formed a convoy for an
impromptu game drive down to Lake Nakuru where they
enjoyed a sundowner next to a herd of rhino, a flock of
flamingos and dozens of zebra which formed a fitting
background.
This had been a fantastic day of driving, but also a
tough one so, in the car park tonight, there was some
Leading on day 9, Lars and Annette Rolner, Porsche 911
serious spanner work going on. The Quekel’s had sourced
a new master cylinder for their Mercedes and this had to
be fitted. Alan Beardshaw’s Triumph needed its engine
mounts looking at as well the oil cooler. David Roberts’
Triumph needed more work doing to its engine mounts
and Dieter and Hildegard Baumhäckel’s Volvo required yet
more attention to its damaged panhard mounts.
Iris and Jean-Philippe Tripet are back with us, albeit in a
Keith and Norah Ashworth, Bentley 4½ Le Mans hire car. They enjoyed the drive today, but are desperate
to get the Lancia back on the road. To this end they’ve got
spares arriving in Nairobi tomorrow, which means, on the
rest day, their red rocket might be repaired. We’ve all got
our fingers crossed.
From our camp on Lake Nakuru, tomorrow we head to
Lake Naivasha via the Delamere estate, for more exclusive
rally action and another good lunch.
Gerardus Mercator, Dispatch reporter
Rogier and Marjan Quekel, Mercedes-Benz 280SE, down, but not out
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15 February to 5 March 2020
Day 10 Lion Hill Camp to Lake Naivasha (133.32 km) 25 February 2020
We’ve just tipped over the halfway mark of the rally and, after our efforts of yesterday, we got a lie in
this morning. The organisers had planned another short, but action packed day, centred on the massive
Delamere Estate where an excellent Test and Regularity were planned to take full advantage of this
massive piece of real estate.
Whether on a Polish airfield or a Kenyan plantation, some The estate land encompasses many different landscapes,
of the organising team know exactly how to put together but the bit we’d been loaned was classic African scrub,
a regularity of fiendish difficulty in a seemingly benign complete with herds of zebra, antelope, and whatever
environment. Yesterday Paul Heal and Dick Appleton, else lives in this sort of environment. The rugged tracks
normally on 48 hour car duty, drove 145 km to carry on throughout were all unmade and, whilst there were a
this tradition, setting up 30 km of intense rallying for smattering of landmarks noted in the route book, the
today’s adventure. tripmeter was the only guide the crews had as to where
Before the starting gun was fired, Lord and Lady they were. The old saying goes, better to be on the right
Delamere themselves came to welcome the rally and road at the wrong time, than on the wrong road at the right
kindly provided us with some welcome chilled drinks. time, but one mistake here meant a lot of lost time and,
Then the timekeepers took over, sending the cars off at judging by the occasional shouts of anguish coming from
three minute intervals, so as to give the choking dust time within the cars, a lot of frustration.
settle. Michael and Eunice McInerney were the first away The navigation wasn’t the only problem the crews had to
and, as they galloped down the Test, they slotted their contend with. Enrico Paggi and Federico Mascetti’s Fiat 124
Mustang neatly through a herd of zebra, in what must be Spider damaged a brake pipe shortly after the Test, but
a rare equine coincidence. the capable crew calmly set about repairing it themselves
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Michael and Eunice McInerney, 1966 Ford Mustang
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Day 10: Lion Hill Camp to Lake Naivasha, 25 February 2020
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
before carrying on with the section. They were late to Gavin and Diana Henderson, 1965 Porsche 911
lunch, but received a standing ovation as they strode down
the lawn to the dining marquee.
Sadly Rogier and Marjan Quekel’s woes continued today.
This time it was their brakes which were the issue, rather
than the clutch. Their handbrake wouldn’t release properly
causing the fluid to boil up with the inevitable consequences.
Once they’d made the necessary adjustments, and allowed
things to cool down, they carried on through the bush, but
then got slightly lost as well. As with the crew of the Fiat
they were also late to lunch, receiving the same welcome.
The lunch itself was a truly superb effort laid out on
the immaculate lawns of the Serena Camp Resort on the
shores of Lake Elementeita. As well as a mouthwatering
buffet, there was a very respectable dessert trolley on
offer. The subsequent short run to the night halt was a
welcome relief after the tough morning. At around 60 km
an impromptu car park party was well on its way.
We’re in the Sopa Lodge on Lake Naivasha for two nights,
where tomorrow we’ll spend our second rest day of the
rally, with the option to enjoy a boat trip to see some of the
local hippo population.
David and Jo Roberts, 1968 Triumph TR250
Gerardus Mercator, Dispatch reporter
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15 February to 5 March 2020
Day 11 Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge (rest day) 26 February 2020
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
An unusual classroom for the children of Green Park children’s home: Enrico Paggi and Federica Mascetti’s 1971 Fiat 124 Spider
The mid-rally rest day is a chance for the crews to The team of dedicated sweep mechanics don’t get the full
rest and be thankful, take stock and look back at day off though. For half a day at least they’re as busy as
ever down in the car park, lending a hand wherever they
what they’ve achieved so far. We’ve all come a long can and lending whatever spanners are required.
way and there’s much to be proud of. Rogier Quekel was looking at his brakes that got so hot
yesterday. Andy Inskip recommended that he remove them
It’s also a chance to take care of any of the usual more completely for a thorough check and clean, as well as a spot
mundane rest day chores, maybe enjoy a trip on a boat of deglazing. With such a vital component, he did exactly
to see some hippos. Or, as with Enrico Paggi and Federica as instructed. Alan Beardshaw was looking at his engine
Mascetti to take a ride to a children’s home, supported by mounts once again, whilst Denis and Jill Wilson reckon
one of our Kenyan crew, Ramesh Bhalla. The Green Park that they need a new battery suspecting the current one
ECD looks after 47 youngsters under the age of six and has a dead cell causing the voltage to drop. It’s an easy run
every one of them loved the chance to have a play with tomorrow so they’re planning to collect it en-route.
the Fiat 124 Spider. The fact that it was carrying a big bag David and Susan Danglard knew that they’d need new
of sweets and a few Italian souvenirs simply added to its tyres for their Porsche about now so, thanks to the global
popularity. reach of Tuthill Porsche (and exceptionally good contacts
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Day 11: Lake Naivasha Sopa Lodge (rest day), 26 February 2020
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
in East Africa), they had a set delivered and fitted by mid
morning. Once it had received its ‘new boots’ David took it
downtown for a wash and brush up as well.
Lars and Annette Rolner’s Porsche needed its air filter
replacing, the combination of water and murrum dust
apparently makes for a very inefficient air flow. This well
traveled crew had packed a spare which was easily fitted to
give the old war horse its second wind.
Another Porsche owner, Gavin Henderson, got himself
straightened out today courtesy of a local workshop, who
set to work with a large hammer and a block of wood.
The sump guard needed a little remedial beating and,
after this session, it’s almost billiard table smooth. Bernd
and Christiane Dannenmaier’s Toyota Landcruiser was
also having a thorough service locally, just to prove that
Japanese cars need looking after as well.
It’s been a very restful rest day, so much so that even the
zebra in the grounds of the lodge spent most of it lying
down.
Tomorrow there’s a long pull into the Masai Mara. Alan Beardshaw gets a helping hand to again take a look at the Triumph
TR6’s engine mounts
Gerardus Mercator, Dispatch reporter
www.rallytheglobe.com
15 February to 5 March 2020
Day 12 Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara (217.77 km) 27 February 2020
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
The Bentley 4 ½ Le Mans of Graham and Marina Goodwin Reto Mebes and Hans-Jürgen Benze, Mercedes-Benz 280SLC
Today was essentially a transit day, where we
struck out for the wilds of the Masai Mara, along
good quality tarmac highways. Mostly. From
the Lodge, we turned south on the main road to
Nairobi and then west to a Passage Control in
Narok. This is where the fun began.
There’d been heavy rain overnight and, whilst the landscape
was looking very green and pleasant, some of us were
worried about the conditions further down the road. As
reported by the 48 hour car, the only obstacle which we’d
face today was the last 30 km from the main road into the
camp.
This was a rough section anyway but, with the rain we’ve
had, we were warned that it would be even more tricky.
And so it was, a low level bridge, for example, had been
washed away and, whilst it was being repaired by a gang of
locals, the rally had to slither over some 100m of vicious
mud and rock laid across a thick brown torrent until they
were once again able to join the main track. The Beardshaws followed by the Wilsons
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Day 12: Lake Naivasha to Masai Mara, 27 February 2020
Everyone, bar one car, made it safely through. And, slowly,
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
carefully, and with the utmost regard for their suspension,
they began to creep along this road into the bush. Steve
and Jenny Verrall were the unlucky ones who had a bit of
a wait by the roadside. A wheel bearing had collapsed and
it took them, along with Jamie Turner and Andy Inskip, a
couple of hours to replace this along with the half shaft of
their 911. To add insult to injury, when they were almost
within sight of the hotel they then suffered a puncture.
Although the weather was unseasonably atrocious,
the Masai Mara did serve up some amazing treats for us
today. First up was a family of at least six cheetahs who
sat motionless in the rain almost next to the roadside and
oblivious to us, watching and waiting for their next meal to
come into range.
Thankfully, we didn’t have long to wait for our next meal.
By early afternoon most of the rally was safely ensconced
in the well appointed Fairmont Masai Mara and enjoying
a very good lunch a few metres from a pod of bellicose
hippos. An optional safari drive followed where the next
set of treats arrived. The grasslands here are big cat
territory and whilst we did see plenty of giraffe, elephants
and gazelle, it was a pride of lions which held everyone
spellbound.
One huge male, three adult females and two cubs lolled,
roared and posed for us as well as giving us an insight into
a domestic dispute - lion style. It was noisy and it left no-
one in any doubt as to the power of these animals.
Whilst the bar here is well stocked and the staff are
always on hand to serve up whatever refreshments are
required, a fair percentage of the rally opted for an early
night. There’s a pre dawn start for most us with either a
sunrise safari or a balloon flight on offer.
Gerardus Mercator, Dispatch reporter
Alan and Tina Beardshaw, Triumph TR6
www.rallytheglobe.com15 February to 5 March 2020
Day 13 Masai Mara (Rest day) 28 February 2020
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
This was probably the most eagerly awaited rest
day of all. The Masai Mara is an incredible place
and we were pretty much guaranteed exceptional
game viewing.
Both the early morning safari drive and the balloon trip
were popular options. Seeing the sun rise over the Masai
Mara, while suspended silently,in a basket above it all, took
some beating.
The balloonists had an early start though, they left the
hotel at 3:45am, and were well aloft by the time dawn
broke. The ride itself was something of a magic carpet,
which alternated between almost touching the ground, just
clearing the tree canopy, or barely skimming the muddy
Mara River.
Elephants, hippo, warthogs and gazelle slipped beneath
and, once they reached the landing zone, the pilot brought
us down gently and his passengers were transferred to a
champagne breakfast on the savanna. As the pilot himself
said “you can’t spend the day drinking, if you don’t start
early enough”.
Obviously there was a lot of activity in the carpark as
well, but thankfully none of it was serious. David Roberts
was looking for the source of a mystery clunking sound.
But, (and given the roads we’ve been using), this search
proved fruitless. The little Triumph is running well enough
though, so there’s no pressing hurry to find it.
Alan Beardshaw was topping up his brake fluid whilst
Jean-Philippe Tripet was giving his Lancia Italia a good
clean. Inside and out. Gavin Henderson’s Porsche hasn’t
really put a wheel wrong so far, but he was looking at his
spares kit with a view to ordering some rear wheel bearings
after learning of Steve and Jenny Verrall’s experience
yesterday. He’s got two fronts, but he wants to make sure
that there is a full set on standby should he need them.
Rob Collinge and Thomas Hansen were also busy,
replacing the rear shock absorber bushes in their feisty
little Willys Jeep. Whilst simultaneously loving the event
Denis and Jill Wilson were gazing into their engine bay
and lamenting the fact that their Rover, which was in
concourse condition before they started, is now full of
dust and mud. But, as everybody knows you can’t make an
omelette without breaking eggs.
www.rallytheglobe.comDay 13: Masai Mara (Rest day), 28 February 2020
Like all the sweep crews, Jim Smith and Pete Stone
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
spent the morning hard at work. They were sent out on a
reconnaissance mission with a view to making amendments
to the next days route. The rain is wreaking havoc with the
dirt tracks but, after 140km of rocking and rolling, they
think that they’ve found a solution.
There were evening game drives arranged as well and, by
days end, pretty much everybody who‘d been on a safari in
the last 36 hours had seen rhino, lions, a leopard, cheetah,
Cape buffalo and elephants. That’s a respectable tally by
any standard.
Tomorrow we’re back on the road heading for the
Serengeti via the border with Tanzania, a gravel Regularity
and an airfield Test.
Gerardus Mercator, Dispatch reporter
www.rallytheglobe.com15 February to 5 March 2020
Day 14 Masai Mara to Serengeti (316.26 km) 29 February 2020
Today was the day of our very own mass migration. Like the millions of wildebeest before us, we set
off from the Masai Mara in Kenya to the grasslands of the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania. Luckily,
when we crossed the infamous Mara river though, we had a bridge to use.
the packs of hyenas sniffing around, along the roads and
quartering between the grazing herds looking to pick off
any who showed a flicker of weakness.
They do say that when the going gets tough, the tough
get going, and today the Southern Cross Safari crews, really
rose to the occasion driving carefully and precisely to get
through it in the best possible shape.
There was still a Test to negotiate after all, on the Migori
Airstrip, which had been given over to us on the condition
that any planes wishing to land had right of way and that
the rally submitted itself to the rules of air traffic control.
After the rough ride we’ve enjoyed over the last few days,
such a blast up and down a smooth runway was a real treat.
Thanks to the show that the crews put on a crowd of locals
arrived to shout encouragement. Special mention must
be given here to Reto Mebes and Hans-Jürgen Benze who,
in their Mercedes, showered everyone on the apron with
gravel during one impressive manoeuvre.
Jean-Philippe and Iris Tripet (CH) with the Lancia Fulvia Monte Carlo
This was also slated to be a busy day, so we needed an early
start, not least because of the re-routes once again forced
upon us by the state of the roads.
There was one Regularity and a Test, as well as a border
crossing to get through before the sundowners on the
terrace of the Four Seasons Serengeti.
Such was the pace of the day though, that the first of
these had to be cancelled, to allow the organisational crews
to be strategically stationed in some of the more muddy
bits of the route, with tow ropes at the ready.
The first 80 km were indeed tough, and there were
numerous small diversions in place to avoid the worst of the
sink holes and rock gardens. In one such section Malcolm
and Lloyd Destro were placed on ‘sump duty’ watching and
marking any particular boulders which posed a threat to
the integrity of the bottom of an engine.
We weren’t alone in the bush though and if any incentive
to keep moving was needed, then surely this came from Edmund Peel and Sara MacDonald, Porsche 911
www.rallytheglobe.comDay 14: Masai Mara to Serengeti, 29 February 2020
Photos: gerardbrown.co.uk
Lars Rolner and Annette Rolner’s Porsche 911 slithers its way along one of today’s less well made-up roads
After suffering a fractured oil pipe, David and Jo Roberts There was a further re-route in the afternoon for us to
just squeaked into the Test as the Safari Air flight was on negotiate before we arrived at the gates of the Serengeti
final approach. Air-traffic control however, held the big National Park, an impressive piece of real estate by any
bird off just long enough for the little Triumph to complete standard, and began chasing the sunset into the heart of
its two laps of the runway before the landing gear was the Serengeti. The African bush is a different place once the
lowered. lights go out and, on the way to the hotel, some of us were
The border was a short drive away and was a typical African lucky enough to see hippo, porcupine and giraffe settling
affair but, in true rally style, we pointed to the numbers on in for the night.
our doors, showed the letters and eventually they sent us We’ve got another rest day tomorrow and in a place like
on our way. Our local agents from Southern Cross Safari’s this we won’t be short of something to do.
kept the paper trail moving for us, but like many borders
it was a tedious exercise. Once through the gates, however,
and onto the open road, the superb Tanzanian tarmac raised
everyones spirits and we soon swallowed up almost 200
km of the days total without a hiccup and even glimpsed a
tantalising view of Lake Victoria. Gerardus Mercator, Dispatch reporter
1972 Toyota Land Cruiser of Bernd and Christiane Dannenmaier A distinctly grubby Fiat Spider, Enrico Paggi and Federica Mascetti
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