After a VERY long tense day of speculation about whether our damaged duo would be able to get back on the road, VA is happy to report that both driver (Olly Cardozo) and London Black cab ( ‘Mildred’ ) are now in rattling good form and back in the Mongol Rally. Olly’s latest post reached us last night:
“There is finally some good news:
Mildred has been repaired. She is alive! There is definitely some lasting damage and she will never be the same again but all the main worries are fixed (or so I’m told).
The main damage is now merely aesthetic and I now have two spare wheels and rims. The rear bumper has been bent back into shape and cable-tied back on; it feels pretty secure. The rear suspension is OK, a little rattly but working. The boot can now be opened and nothing in it was really damaged. The latch is quite loose though. All wheels have been aligned and greased/wheel bearings tightened.
This was all completed in a day’s work; I even got to do a spot of welding.
Once the mechanic was paid (305 dollars) I washed her and got most of the dust off her.
Once finished, I drove the 270km to Samarkand, where I am now. The road was crap and I felt as if all the good work was being smashed around. SO MUCH RATTLING!! The driving is pretty mental as well. No indicating or lights at night. Oh, and they also love to undertake as well.
My Uzbek visa runs out tomorrow so I need to make a dash for the border; a long day drive lies ahead.”
The Mongol Rally is back up and running!!
The Golden Road to Samarkand
By James Elroy Flecker
