{"id":1169,"date":"2014-02-06T18:47:48","date_gmt":"2014-02-06T18:47:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/usnomadstudio.com\/usnomads\/blog\/?page_id=1169"},"modified":"2014-04-11T14:04:34","modified_gmt":"2014-04-11T14:04:34","slug":"notes-from-the-road-mar-19","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/usnomadstudio.com\/usnomads\/blog\/?page_id=1169","title":{"rendered":"Notes from the Road – MAR 19"},"content":{"rendered":"
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NOTES FROM THE ROAD<\/h2>\n
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< more recent<\/a> | 19 MAR 2014 | older ><\/a> <\/p>\n

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THE PROLOGUE<\/h5>\n


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Calibration of odometers in the morning and a sample of what the course will be like in the afternoon.<\/strong><\/h6>\n


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19 MARCH 2014:<\/strong> The day started out with a “calibration” of odometers. Each team drove a distance of exactly 20 km and the distance indicated on their odometer was noted by the officials. A coefficient will be calculated for each vehicle, which will be used to ensure that all kilometres are equal during the Rallye.

\nThe Gazelles arrive at the bivouac at noon, in time to set up their tents before posing for a group photo. Then the teams line up in the starting grid for the “Prologue” — a small sampling of what the competition will be like, but with only 3 checkpoints and no major difficulties. This 45-km looped leg serves as a warmup for the start of the real competition tomorrow. Relatively flat terrain, straightforward navigation with easy to identify features\u2026 The 3 checkpoints shouldn’t pose too many problems for the Gazelles, unless they let themselves be lulled into a false sense of confidence: even an easy route requires concentration and vigilance!

\nThe prologue got off to a good start; just 40 minutes in some teams had already reached their first checkpoint, despite its location in the bottom of a oued, hidden from view. The teams are learning that there is a world of difference between theory and practice.

\nAs the day progresses, some Gazelles drive in circles, not seeing the flag that they plotted so carefully even though it should be “right there.” The desert can be deceptive and a seemingly flat plain hides many nooks and crannies. Another challenge: the strips of sand, which many Gazelles try to avoid, though a few teams go straight into the small dunes for practice.

\n“The prologue went very well, overall. At 7:00, only a dozen teams were still out on the course, manoeuvring between crazy desert grass and dried oeuds\u2026 Three teams had to call for mechanical assistance after getting stuck in sand or camel grass,” stated rally organizers.

\nAs teams returned to the bivouac, they lined up for what is perhaps the most difficult aspect of the event for some people who are accustomed to always being connected: no more Instagram or Facebook, no selfies, no text messages, no more “Hang on… I’m checking my email!”… In short, the Gazelles hand in their cell phones and any other forbidden electronic devices to Rallye officials.
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\nFor more live coverage of Today’s event from the official Rally site: English<\/a> | Fran\u00e7ais<\/a><\/p>\n


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VIDEO: THE PROLOGUE BEGINS<\/h5>\n


Gazelles TV presents the Prologue [Sorry for the obligatory advertisement at the start of this clip, it comes as part of the embedded resource, not our site.<\/em>]<\/p>\n