Drifter AR Series

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Rain on the Roof of Africa

Mike Richardson / 26.03.2003

Lesotho is at the best of times a forbidding kingdom. It’s people are recognized by their thick blankets drawn over hunched shoulders and inclement weather is to be expected from a landscape that towers over the rest of Southern Africa. Those in the inaugural race of the Drifter Adventure Racing Series realised immediately that this kingdom must be treated with respect.

The border crossing at Maseru was efficient enough with the Basotho’s being very friendly and curiously, not providing any bureaucratic obstacles for our oddly comprised retinue of aggressively coloured orange kayaks being dragged behind the powerful Mazda Drifters. Not to mention the rugged mountain bikes clinging like limpets to their motherships.

PC1 went smoothly enough for most; our boat trailer was quickly relieved of its contents by the eager racers, who sped off into the depths of Lesotho’s mountains with their new charges in search of the start.

As we headed off in the same direction, we noted with satisfaction that roads were in a decent enough condition to maintain good speeds to the extent that we were always in danger of breeching the low speed limits. However, we were not fooled by the possibilities that lay ahead of us. The thunderclouds were brewing right above us and the good roads we were on would eventually give way to gravel tracks snaking into the dramatic landscape that lay ahead.

Semongkong would never be reached by any vehicle as the rivers had risen to impassable levels. This set the tone for the rest of the race. Race Director, Bradley Wienand had to not only rearrange the starting point but the disciplines as well. Instead of a mountain biking start, competitors had to now do a tough Trail Run. These changes had knock-on effects for the rest of the race, but fortunately, Bradley had back up plans for such circumstances. Nonetheless, the core ingredient of Adventure Racing – unpredictability, would challenge the competitors. Generally, the team with a sound psychological state of mind will handle such unpredictability the best.

With this in mind, the race was always going to be keenly contested. Team Mazda, South Africa’s heroes at Eco-Challenge Fiji, began the race as favourites, although there were many teams keen on taking on their challenge. A few newer teams had entered and they are never to be taken lightly because their passion is red hot and that’s a powerful ingredient for success.

With the competitors off through the first river, the seconding vehicles headed for HQ, back past Roma, skirting Maseru, up towards Motsekuoa and into the belly of Lesotho to Malealea Lodge. Great in theory, harsh in reality as Team Group6Isilulu found out. Kappie’s trailer broke down as the bearing had seized and the wheel fell off. Roof of Africa support vehicle commandeered by call sign Rambo, radioed the seconding team’s distress. See All Event Posts