Sunday Update! 7:00 PM Morocco time
I just spoke with Scott on the phone. He called from the bedouin camp in the desert and he said the wind was kicking up pretty good. He sounds like he is on a really good high and just enveloped in the whole experience. Scott says everyone has just been fantastic, that everyone is getting along so well, and their hosts are incredible.
They are currently in 1st place overall and have a strong LEAD!!!
They have completed 8 stages, and only have 2 to go, with a 6 or 7 hour lead over 2nd place! They did a short course today and were able to be a little conservative since they know they have a strong lead. The strategy paid off.
Chris: So what has been the most challenging driving?
Scott: The sand driving has been the most challenging thing. The dunes are so big you can't just drive over some of them. You have to find ways to get around and through them. The Staun Beadlocks are incredible. We have even been down to as little as 2 psi while using them. There was one timed short course with sand driving, in which there was an optional dune climb. A successful attempt would be rewarded with a 1 hour credit. Both trucks on our team (the other is a Toyota Land Cruiser 73 series) made it up and ended up with 2 hours credit to the team. That helped a lot considering we were the only ones to make it. Quite a few cars broke on the 1st day and only about 1/2 made it to finish that day.
Chris: And what has been the most challenging navigation?
Scott: We have been doing really well with the navigation. Probably the worst time was when we were almost 2 days without sleep and we couldn't get to the first camp.
Chris: Are you using the laptop for nav?
Scott: Yes, we are using the laptop a lot. Our maps aren't the best, but we are making it work.
Chris: Have you had to do any water crossings?
Scott: Tomorrow we will be doing a water crossing that is supposed to be over the hood of the Land Cruiser.
Chris: Have you had to do any winching?
Scott: Yes, we did some winching today. One of the operations we had to do involved a 30m hill that was not driveable, the winch HAD to be used. We had to let one of the team vehicles down the hill, where they circled around, and then we had to winch them back up. Half of the teams DNF. The Warn 8274 winch on the Land Cruiser is crazy. It has been equipped with a 6.5 HP motor. The line speed is so fast that you have to walk fast, almost jog, to keep up with it.
Chris: So how is the weather? It's hot? Are the evenings cool?
Scott: Yes, it's like Phoenix, AZ in June. It's pretty hot. It does cool off in the evenings, and the nights are beautiful. Overall, the weather has been perfect.
So there you have it! WOOOHOOO!!!! Let's hear it for Team USA!!!
)
Can't wait for the full report. You figured out how to bring the cruiser back with you yet?
