Sitting here and sifting through the many scanned press cuttings,
photographs and documents that I’ve amassed over the past 18 months or so, I’m
struck by how enthusiastic the Indian press and motoring organisations were
when the 72 surviving cars rolled into Bombay in December 1st 1968. Asides from the hazards awaiting the cars as
they drove into Bombay, thousands of people lining the roads to the point where
a corresponding number of feet were driven over (and at least one cyclist was
sent flying over the top of a marathon car), the reception in India’s capital
city was huge. Assorted prizes were on
offer for the leading car and crew, leading private entry and leading women’s
team, and between arrival and departure by ship on December 3rd
competitors were invited to one reception after another. The women’s team prize went to the privately
entered Volvo station wagon crew of four, the youngest of whom was only
21. The ceremony and party took them all
completely by surprise, although the cheque for £200 was probably very
welcome. There was also not a little
controversy, as although the leading private entry was a Mercedes, the actual
prize was given to another Volvo crew, causing much bad feeling. Apparently the organisers decided incorrectly
that the Mercedes wasn’t privately backed, and while this was eventually
rectified on arrival in Perth, by then nobody cared about what had happened in
India – it was the Aussie crossing that filled everyone’s minds.
And so my complete immersion in the Marathon continues. At one point yesterday I looked up and
realised 4 hours had passed without my knowing.
Mind you, I did go for a wander at one point and came across a lavender
bush covered with humming bird moths, all gracefully flitting here and
there. Quite a sight.
As we were leaving for dinner at a local restaurant last night, Rob
sent me a text to say he had managed to get a ticket for the Opening Ceremony
of the Olympics on Friday. How fantastic
is that? He will actually be there in
the stadium to see it all unfold. When
we settle down to watch it on the television on Friday, I shall keep an eye out
for him the crowd!
Right, back to 1968 and all that.
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