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AXCR 2024: Difficulty in deciphering rally maps on Day 1!
The ability to move forward made the difference.
Course and route changes due to road conditions are a common occurrence in rally events worldwide. When this happens on the first day of the event, it can be a nerve-racking moment for the participants. Seasoned rally competitors are able to adjust accordingly but the roads in Thailand offer an additional challenge especially for competitors who are accustomed to Japanese roads. In many cases, it is difficult to tell if a road is a road or not. The lost competitors were helped by the friendly media who pointed them in the correct general direction. Riders and navigators need to determine the correct course by comparing the distance to be travelled with the road ahead whilst travelling at speed. This is a very difficult task indeed.
The 2024 Asian Rally was originally scheduled to start from Thailand and end in Malaysia. However, due to various circumstances, the rally was to be completed in Thailand only. When the rally started, the start of SS1 was postponed due to road collapses on the first day, thus shortening the distance.
The media left the hotel one hour earlier than the start time of the Moto (motorcycle) to find a good location for shooting. After a long wait, we finally saw the top rider from Japan fly out in front of us.
After a few Japanese riders and other riders had past, we were surprised to see an off-road side car. And then, even more surprisingly, came the Japanese who had entered with what is known in Japan as “Honda's business bike - the "Super Cub." This best-selling mini bike made an unexpected appearance in the rally. This is truly strange. ..
If you ask me, it was still difficult to decipher the rally map. It was not a situation where the road conditions were difficult or blocked by obstacles, but rather a situation where the map did not match the distance from the actual road. When we took the road, we thought, "this must be it," only to realize it was different and go back to the original place. We then took another different road and ended up with others who were lost.
In such a situation, the set up of the car or bike is irrelevant. What is more important is how fast you can find the correct route, that makes the difference. If you’re lucky, a local resident will point you in the right direction (although this is doubtful), and sometimes a single word from another lost competitor can make the difference in finding your way out of the stage.
The rider who traced the route perfectly had told me that he had not been speeding but instead rode slowly and was carefully studying each frame of the map and the road.
Just when we thought the Super Cub was about to arrive, the top Auto (four-wheeled) teams who started an hour behind of us had caught up with us and we had to give way. Cars are much faster than motorcycles. They warn the motorcycles in front of them that they are approaching with their booming sirens and loud honking.
No competitors were injured today but not all competitors finished the stage. Some competitors decided to exit the stage early to ensure their own safety in the harsh environment. Once back at the hotel, everyone was in good spirits and ready to go again tomorrow.
As bikes and cars were being serviced and prepared for the next day ahead, the familiar phrases "I made it!" and "Thank God!” could be heard around Rally HQ.
As we are at day one of a 6 day event, the first thought that comes to mind is. That was a strange opening day.
Source: AXCR
Photos and text by Zensuke Tanaka
Helder