A handful of tennis balls is making life a little more comfortable for Wanaka's entry in the 16,000km Mongol Motor Rally.
Darryl Sherwin, of Wanaka, and Leon Ford, of Auckland, (team Kiwi Kite Surfers) are driving their 1298cc Suzuki Jimny 4WD in the event.
In an email to the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Mr Sherwin said they assembled for the start at Goodwood, in England, alongside about 800 competitors and 300 other "beat-up old cars''.
"Leon and I were sitting in a marquee when the MC announced he had found a set of car keys. Did they belong to anyone?
"No-one claimed them, so he just threw them into the crowd.
"Everyone laughed, thinking stupid beggars for losing their car keys, even before the race started.
"Well, about a minute later I checked my pockets.
"A frantic search took place and luckily for us they did turn up again and they are now on a string that we wear around our necks.''
Day 1: The cars lined up in groups of 40 odd. We got the green flag and the rally began with one lap of the track then on to the road to Mongolia and beyond. We arrived at the Folkestone Eurotunnel train, checked in, drove straight on to the train and 35 minutes later we were in Calais.
Day 2: Decided to go to the [Belgian] village of Ypres, where there is a memorial service every night for the fallen soldiers of World War 1. There were close to 1000 people attending. The Last Post was played. Very emotional. We drove to the Nine Elms Cemetery, where we found the resting place of Dave Gallagher, the third All Black captain. Drove back to Ostend and overnighted.
Day 3: Picked up a new radiator, which Leon installed within 30 minutes. Drove 905km to Geneva. On the way, the front right-hand brake cylinder piston seized up. Did a Kiwi fix to get to Geneva.
Day 4: Wednesday morning sourced brake parts and repaired brakes in the afternoon. Installed four tennis balls in each back rear suspension spring, to stop it bottoming out. Another MacGyver fix. Our Jimny now going extremely well. Drove to the base of the Eiger.''
- Mr Sherwin, originally from Oamaru, and Mr Ford are raising funds for the Upper Clutha Children's Medical Trust.
