Ulaan Baatar - Bulgan - Murun - Telmen Lake

Tuesday, June 4, 2013 – 6:47 p.m. (EST)

John touches base for the first time since the teams departed Ulaan Baatar. The camp is just coming alive after their third night of camping, in as many campsites. It is cold on the morning of June 5^th and bright as they prepare for the 259 km drive to Chjargas Lake. Both driver and navigator are well; so far no problems.

Day 6 – June 2, 2013 - Ulaan Baatar to Bulgan

John confirms the report that Garrick Staples and Hayden Burvill (Car #54) rolled their car and had engine problems; that they are now out of the rally. Little Red got stuck in the mud (photo on Day 6 ERA Rally Report) and John admits that driver error got them in that predicament. The path he chose was wet and soggy. Later that day, an electrical problem resulted in Little Red having an “almost” fire in front. The issue was resolved, with no danger of it happening again, I was assured, but it cost them an hour’s delay.

Day 7 – June 3, 2013 - Bulgan to Murun

About 1 or 2 km from the end of the time trials, the alternator light came on, however, John decided to continue until the end. They soon discovered that the fan belt had disintegrated; the engine was very hot and smelled of burning oil. After letting the engine cool, the fan belt was replaced, and Little Red continued to rally on.

Day 8 – June 4, 2013 – Murun to Telmen Lake

Owing to the rough terrain, Little Red is now sitting low in the back. The back torsion bar is twisted and the wheels now sit inside the fender. The torsion bar just needs to be re-indexed, not repaired, and John has elected to wait until they reach Novosibirsk, Russia (in another four days), to have the adjustments made. In the meantime, they will have to tread carefully on the road. 

Little Red before the torsion bar damage.

My assignment is to research an “air-cooled” VW club (old Beetle club), whose members can direct Little Red to the appropriate Novosibirsk garage or VW dealership for re-indexing of the torsion bar. Any ideas?

Reports and photos can bee seen at: http://www2.endurorally.com/pp2013/reports.html