2007 Rally Day 6

Friday 4th May. Zagreb, Croatia - Venice, Italy

After another scorching party in Zagreb the previous night, the drivers awoke to another wet day so took it steady through the final leg of the rally. Their first destination was the lunchtime checkpoint in Treviso. Pete and Tango were running behind the others as they were held back whilst waiting for the Porsches to be fixed. Once fixed up, they headed off towards the Italian border. A couple of drivers were stopped at the border, but were soon on their way without any further problems. .

Other drives filed in shortly afterwards, for a rest break and a chance to swap accounts of the morning’s drive. Then it was back on the road for the final stretch to Venice.

A few drivers did a ‘Dean Philp’ and got completely lost but eventually managed to get their bearings and point themselves in the general direction of Italy’s ‘City of Water’ – which was already getting wetter as the rain didn’t let up - Gary and Nidal can vouch for that as they got a soaking. Lars and Joe were one of the first to arrive in Venice in the hulking great big stretch Limo (I’m still confused as to whether the lovely Swedes or Tangospeed were in first) – skipping the lunchtime checkpoint to counteract their track record of being one of the last cars to arrive during the previous days.

Upon arrival in the ‘Queen of the Adriatic’, the cars put on a fantastic parade before being loaded onto the ferry and transported across to the final venue – the decadent Westin Excelsior Lido.

All drivers and crew arrived safe and sound in Venice to complete a week that will live with them forever.

Venice is a stunning setting in which to end the incredible journey that has seen the drivers cross through numerous countries and travel through some fantastic scenery since leaving Austria on Sunday afternoon. Home to the ‘Bridge of Sighs’, Venice heard a few more sighs yesterday – the exhalation of breath as the drivers came to the end of their Eastern Europe adventure.

The Cars coming in at the finish line

It started with a fabulous party and wrapped up with a mind-blowing finale. Everyone was in awe of the stunning cavernous venue at the exclusive Westin Excelsior Lido which had been bedecked so beautifully for the party – Carbon Black really do know how to make people feel very special. Almost surreal but ethereal stiltwalking ghosts towered above the crowd as they made their way into the grand room to sit down to an excellent dinner and the night’s entertainment.

 

So many of the Drivers commented on the fact that the Carbon Black rally had truly exceeded their already high impression of the event by miles – even those who took part in the inaugural event in October 2006. The party rolled on into the early hours of Saturday with a fantastic time had by all.

Carbon Black’s Hall of Fame has some old and new entrants – all of whom will never forget the past week and the sheer fun they’ve had. The Carbon Black team has worked tirelessly to cater for the needs of the Carbon Black drivers– and this really has shown what a team effort Carbon Black can achieve. Congratulations to the drivers, Carbon Black staff and affiliated staff on an amazing event – it’s been an absolute pleasure to follow your journey over the past week. A special thanks to Pete Fenton and John Welsh from Carbon Black who gave me some brilliant updates from the road, and to web-guru Ingrid who has done a stirling job with the website – even when tricky internet connections tried to thwart updates.

Day 6 Route Cards

Zagreb Croatia To Treveso Italy

 

Treveso  to Venice

 

 

Event Pictures