Photo Album: On The Way To The Tuareg Rally 2012

On Friday March, 18th the team left Switzerland for the two day trip South To Alméria and the ferry to Morocco. By 7:15 am, everyone had arrived and loaded their bags and we were soon on the way.

A few hours after crossing the border into Spain, we arrived at Lloret de Mar, where we spent the night before continuing on to Alméria the next day. It was another early start.

The hours were long but as we got farther and farther south, the air was warmer and we were able to enjoy the sun roof of the MAN KAT.

On Saturday evening, we joined the French team, Bande de Zèbres at the campground near Alméria. After dinner, we had an advance preview of the rally briefing from one of the team members who was in contact with the organizers.

Sunday morning after breakfast, we drove the last few kilometers to rally point in the port of Alméria.

We spent the day making last minute checks and adjustments at the port, waiting for the ferry

There’s no heavy truck category in the Tuareg Rally, but the Organization agreed to let the Belgian team of Gregory Vangheluwe, Tom Deleersnyder, and Wouter Leenknegt participate in the Rally with their MAN TGA 480 with the understanding that the Organization is not equipped to provide support for the truck. In case they get stuck in the desert, they’ll have to arrange their own towing and service truck

Boarding for the service teams’ ferry to Melilla was scheduled for 11:00pm, but was late. It was well after midnight before our ferry left port for Morocco.