We have just arrived in Commezzadura ,or Daolasa as the locals call it, after an eventful journey. At midnight, after driving for three hours from Bergamo airport we were in sniffing distance of our hotel. At the wheel was Vincent van Flugal, photographer and part time rally driver, we rounded a mountain hairpin to be confronted with flashing lights and a massive landslide blocking the road.
With nowhere else to go and every where shut we bedded down for the night in the car. Three grown men, Van Flugal, John “Lawless” Lawlor and myself in a 900cc 3 door Fiat Cinquecento.
Needless to say not much sleep was had. Tired and grumpy we then had to face the Italian inquisition to obtain our press passes. They didn’t believe we we’re journalists and the Cinquecento story lost something in the translation.
The Downhill track
I’ve just walked the track and she is an absolute beauty. Steep, rocky and rooty the whole way down. The soil is soft and loamy, but due to the rain it’s muddy and as slippery as an eel. If it stays wet it’ll be brilliant, if it drys up it’ll be brilliant, either way it’s a winner.
The weather.
An old local lady called Esmeralda who we bought some olives from at the veg market, told us there had been “mucho mucho grando rain” recently. Today is overcast with intermittent rain.
4x track. Just spoke to track designer and builder Phil Saxena, he tells me despite the rain the track is dry and in good shape.
Apparently there is some football competition going on and Italy are due to play France tonight, if Italy win the 4x will be delayed to allow the match to be shown on the big screens. That should make for a bit of an atmosphere.
If you want to have a flutter on the Worlds outcome then popo over to Littermag.
Val Di Sole Day 1
