Molly Porsche sets some very fast times, and is still 1st in class

This is a truly amazing event. We have been so lucky with the weather.

We have have had clear blue skies most of the time, but just to spice it up now and then snow storms whipped up by the incredible strong winds.

These winds blow the snow across the roads causing treacherous icy roads. When it's like that Molly gets blown across the road and we have no control. Really pleased we had the snow tyres fitted, this has helped keep us on the black stuff.

It's difficult to put into words quite how beautiful Iceland is. The scenery is a cross between, alpine ski resorts, Patagonia, Cornish fishing villages and a moon scape. Truly stunning.

The rally has been going very well.

We have had a good go at all the time trials, navigation and the regularities. So far we are still 1st in class and 15th overall. Still talking to each other and having a great time.

Even all the hotel rooms have been good. We haven't had to change rooms once 😉

The full results can be found at Historic Endurance Rally Organisation results

There is also a photo gallery with some fantastic photos of all the cars on the event.

This can be found at Historic endurance rally organisation photos

We have just finished day 4, driving some of the most beautiful coastal roads we have ever experienced. If you get the chance come and visit Iceland.

As one of the many tests today HERO even arranged a hill climb. This was straight up the side of a steep mountain on gravel and ash track. Molly did very well and Julie didn't say a word, except at the top where the stopping distance before the cliff edge was a bit tight and we crossed the line sideways.

Think she was shouting slow down, but it's a bit hard to tell when you're not listening 😀

We have just had the results of this fastest times up the hill climb test and Molly Porsche  set the 11 fastest time. This is out of 34 other cars. This is amazing considering that she was up against Porsche 911's and the such like 😀

 This sideways finish was not considered terrible funny by the time keepers, but it was better than giving them a good laugh as we sailed through the air down to the sea 😀

We had another test set in front of a small hotel. Great location except for the bus loads of tourist who we keep standing on the track tacking photos of Molly, bet Lewis does have this problem 😉

They did eventually go for their lunch and allow is to crack on. Molly set the 6 th fast time, not bad for an old girl.

On the marshal front a huge vote of thanks must go to the ladies and gentlemen marshals on this event, carrying out all the time keeping and sorting out the tests for us.

It may be blue skies but the wind is viscious and would give a wind chill factor of lots of minuses.

The marshals have to stay out in that cold  for hours stamping the time cards of would be world rally 

champions and trying to smile.

Thanks very much to all UK Motorsport marshals, we could not do this without you.

Our Porsche 356A is loving every moment of this event and is probably one of the most photographed cars. She is looking a little battle scarred but still going really well.

Only another two days to go.

Come on Molly Porsche.

Historic endurance rally organisation photos

Day 1 results and some photos 😀

Day 1 done and dusted and the results are in they can be found at the Historic Endurance Rally Organisation site at HERO Icelandic Saga Results
Some how Molly Porsche, ably assisted by Julie and myself are 1st in class and 18th overall.
Which bearing in mind we have had to borrow the timing gear and our Halda trip master is way out on distance, our position is an amazing result.
It was only the first day and it may be beginners luck but we are over the moon, long may it last.
As I write this we have finished day two, no idea how we have done. All we do know is we have had the most fabulous time in clear blue skies and incredible scenery.
Some cars are not doing so well, some with gearbox trouble, punctures, and clutch problems. But hopefully the will rejoin the rally and make it to the end.
We are pleased to say that our 1958 356A Porsche is going like a rocket 😀
Below are some of the photos we have managed to take. Hope you enjoy them.

when is a kilometre not a kilometre

Today we had to take Molly Porsche to scrutineering to make sure she complied with the Historic Endurance Rally Associations regulations and sort of an MOT for driving in Iceland. Molly passed on all but one thing which was the way her front spot light and fog lights are wired up.
Apparently they are incorrect,
This caused a certain amount us of anxiety, and comments like ' what the bloody hell do we do now '
The  mood lifted when it was decided that as we were not going to be doing any night driving the wiring issue would be overlooked this time and we did not have to go and stand on the naughty steep.

Having passed the scrutineering we are allowed to officially sign on and get our stickers rally plaques and even hats, gloves and a very nice HERO scarf. Trust me you need them.

We then took Molly out to check our distance measuring apparatus.
 We use an old fashioned ( bit like us ) system called a Halda Twin. This is a great Trip system for measuring your exact distance.
The idea is that the Halda should exactly match the measured kilometre marked out by the Historic endurance Rally Organisation.s
This was not to be the case.
There kilometre measured 1000 metres and our Halda read 959 meters. This means we are 41 meters out for every kilometre we travel.
This doesn't sound much but when all the instructions for turn right, left, faster, slower are measured to the exact meter then our discrepancy is a bit of a pain.
All the other competitors are running modern electronic trip system which can be simply altered to measure exactly the same distance as the rally kilometre.
The Halda can not be easily re calibrated, it has to have all its internal measuring cogs changed. We don't have these cogs or the expertise.
So there will be a fair bit of guess work going on for the next 6 days. All part of the fun and games of
Historic rallying. Well that's what I keep telling Julie.
The rally starts tomorrow at 8.45.
hopefully it won't finish until next Saturday.
Come on Molly 😀

Porsche 356A enters HIstoric Endurance Rally of Iceland

Last year Molly Porsche, our Porsche 356A, took part in two rallies. The first one was with Endurance Rally Association ERA through 5 countries in Southern Africa. Molly made it to the end and was one of only two cars not needing any assistance from the mechanics.

The next rally was with a French Company called RallyStory this was around Morocco. Molly misbehaved and caught fire but with the help of other competitors we put the fire out and Molly carried on to the end.

Molly had obviously had enough of hot climates and wanted a change. Well next week she gets it. We start our 8 day rally around Iceland.

This is being run by HERO and is called the Icelandic Saga.

Iceland has just had its worse winter for 25 years with over 30 consecutive storms. Its meant to be spring but a number of roads on the island are impassable and its very windy.

We will try to run our usual daily blog, but bear with us as we will be typing with ski gloves on.

We hope you enjoy the blog, we sure intend to enjoy the rally.

Thank you

David and Julie