Description
Book Synopsis Imagine driving 16,000 miles in 25 days over some of the roughest terrain in the world, at altitudes up to 16,000 feet, where engines and lungs gasp for air. Imagine 500-mile speed trials over rocky mountain tracks, racing against the clock and 95 other cars. Imagine attempting this more than 50 years ago, without GPS or cell phones or modern safety equipment. In April 1970, 241 men and women from more than 20 nations did just that, setting out from London in cars ranging from a dune buggy to family sedans to Porsches, Rolls-Royces, camper vans and a Jeep Wagoneer, determined to get to Mexico City. Drawing on personal recollections of competitors, organizers, marshals and mechanics, this book recounts the ecstasies and agonies of perhaps the toughest endurance motorsports event ever--the London to Mexico World Cup Rally.
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
1. Getting Organized
2. The Adventures of Speedy
3. Where Are We Going?
4. Shocks and Surprises (Part One)
5. Rules and Regs
6. Shocks and Surprises (Part Two)
7. If You're Not on the List…
8. El Vocho Abandonado
9. Tortoises and Hares (Part One)
10. A Policeman's Lot Is Not a Happy One
11. Tortoises and Hares (Part Two)
12. A Series of Unfortunate Events (Part One)
13. Cast and Crew (Part One)
14. A Series of Unfortunate Events (Part Two)
15. Cast and Crew (Part Two)
16. Puff the Magic Maxi (Part One)
17. Miles to Go Before the Start
18. Puff the Magic Maxi (Part Two)
19. And They're Off!
Between pages 146 and 147 are 20 color plates containing 41 photographs
20. A Private Enterprise (Part One)
21. Three Wheels on My Wagon
22. A Private Enterprise (Part Two)
23. Two Primes in One Day
24. Potatoes and Emeralds
25. All in the Family
26. Bangs and Whimpers (Part One)
27. There Go My Pants!
28. Bangs and Whimpers (Part Two)
29. Driver, Navigator, Filmmaker, Spy (Part One)
30. Rio to Montevideo
31. Driver, Navigator, Filmmaker, Spy (Part Two)
32. Trans-Argentina
33. The Beauty Box (Part One)
34. Triumph and Tragedy
35. The Beauty Box (Part Two)
36. Driving on Top of the World
37. So Close
38. The Show Must Go On
Epilogue: None Tougher, None Rougher
Appendix 1. The Entrants
Appendix 2. The Scoreboard
Interviews
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
