Day 3 - Houston we have a problem

Peter and Penelope survey differential detritus

Leaving the lovely colonial town of Russell after breakfast we barrelled over more of the North’s rolling hills on fine tarmac before taking in a brisk gravel regularity through groves of tree ferns. An invigorating special test was held at Whangerei kart track, in which our heroes held their own while the co-drivers held on for life itself. Then just before the start of the second reg stage, the TR4 came to a stop; or rather it didn’t, due to about 90% brake failure. We waited for the sweeps who were unable to fix by the roadside, as none of us had spare brake fluid (we suspect confiscated by the car shippers). So Mario resolved to do the regularity sans anchors, and at max warp speed to make up for lost time. Brakes are so over-rated, said Mario. Rita said nothing. Braking restored by the sweeps at the lunch halt. Then the road back into Auckland at the end of our northern loop... Tragedy, the Talbot had shed its differential viscera onto the road. Sadly, low loader time and Failure To Proceed for Joe 90. But such is endurance rallying. And Peter and Penny already have... A PLAN. Tune in for tomorrow’s episode.