I've been fascinated with the Paris to Dakar event ever since it started 20 years ago. I always wanted a bash at it but I'm too old now.
However a useful substitute has been that ABC programme featuring the actor, Charlie Boorman ( he played one of the BAD Jedi in Star Wars 3). I've enjoyed every minute of it.
But what really amazed me with tonight's episode was that 'you beaut, race prepared by manufacturer AND a desert racing specialist, all the latest gizmos, BMW X5. This is the support car for the 3 lads on motorbikes. It's not actually in the race.
They had big probs getting the bloody thing to start in London and had to call in a BMW electronics engineer to faff around with for 2 days. Now it craps itself in the middle of the Sahara Desert with a broken rear wishbone. It's only done about 3000 kms of desert work in stuff that didn't look much worse than some of the
places you lot get to for a weekend of fun!
And this is the cruncher,,,,,,,,,the wishbone is aluminium!! It looked like a toy part when they pulled it out. Thin and twisted. No wonder it did only 3000 kms before going KERRRUNCH on it's bum.
,,,,,,,,,and what price are these German excuse for a 4WD? God knows but if it's more than 10 bucks it's robbery,,,,,,,,,or is that 'rubbery'??
Bilbo