To say Team Polizei Master Pilot Michael Ross and I were shocked would be an understatement, but our story became even more bizarre once we met the Gendarmes face-to-face. Prepare for the most surreal Team Polizei vs. Real Polizei interaction of all time…
…thanks to fellow Londino driver and Men’s Vogue Editor Hudson Morgan. You can pick up the print version in the current US Men’s Vogue, or preview the first page and some Londino pictures after the jump. Thanks very much for the mention, Hud.
Yes. It’s true. Before anyone thinks I’m being a pessimist, I am certain there is a future for car rallies…but it’s not quite what anyone expects.
We must clarify the difference between an automotive "race" and a "rally" - there are many definitions, but they can be boiled down to two (perhaps overly simplistic) explanations:
Race - A competition whose victory criteria are based on shortest elapsed time(s).
Rally - An event which may be competitive, but whose victory criteria are not based on shortest elapsed time.
I will expound on these in the coming weeks, which brings me to how a lot of people have asked why I’ve yet to post my full Londino wrap-up. I’ve got a good reason. Although organizers Anders Bernunger and Jens & Erik Trulsson specifically (and wisely) shoot down any mention of the word "rally" in relation to what they call the "de Grisogono Londino Transnational Automobile Tour", their event represents the best-executed, most forward-thinking, utterly brilliant and legal evolution of automotive rallies.
I’m almost done collating my Londino pictures and writing my wrap-up, but in the meantime Londino’s Creative Director Jens Trulsson was kind enough to forward me this article featuring Master Pilot Michael Ross and I. Londino also maintains their own (oft-updated) blog, The Cartorialist…I wish other event organizers were this diligent about posting content so quickly after their events…
The vacation for Alex and Michael is coming to an end. After having a wonderful time on the Londino, the two have started their way back north towards London. With Alex driving the entire leg because Master Piloten Ross has lost his driving privileges within France, the two have successfully made it from Saint Tropez to the Euro Tunnel in less then 11 hours. But it isn’t as simple as it sounds. Alex and Michael decided to take the usual Team Polizei long-cut through different cities such as Le Luc and Toulon which resulted in an additional 50 or so extra miles to the trip. Quite an impressive stint for a single driver; even for Herr Roy. For a majority of the trip, the two convoyed north with new friends in an Aston Martin Vantage Roadster. Two beautiful roadsters heading north from the French Riviera.. what a sight it must have been.
To sum up today’s drive Departure St Tropez: 215pm Arrival Calais: 1254am Total driving: 760miles
The last day of the Londino Rally has brought some of the best driving on some of the best roads in the world. Here’s what Alex has to say:
Departure Geneva 0945hr local. First picture taken, Harbor crescent statue in port of Ouchy, Lausanne. Past town of Brig, 1pm… Past Simplon pass in mountains at 1:20pm. Past border into Italy at 1:40pm. Headed toward lunch checkpoint at Stresa. Arrived second at checkpoint, now departing early for special detour. Dep Stresa 3:15hr… now 102mph southbound on A26 Autostrada. Although Final stop at portofino is 220km, todays task includes taking ten pictures of the theme of "style", therefore we are taking detour to town of Serravella to Londino Sponsor "Palzileri" clothing store - there to acquire items more stylish than the white outfits we are now wearing that have accumulating dirt, spilled drinks, Italian and Swiss chocolate.
Michael Ross decided he wanted to make a few new friends today while on the Londino. Those new friends? The Police Officers of the elite French Highway Patrol Unit driving Subaru WRXs. Thats right. Alex and Michael got pulled over just shortly after leaving Paris this morning on the A16 south near Auxerre. So what does this mean? Well, Michael Ross official now has the first ticket ever given to a Londino participant. 191km/h in a 130km/h zone.
Master Piloten Ross is banned from driving in France for two months, but no worries, Switzerland is only a few hours away and Alex is at the wheel of the BMW Z8. The good news is that Alex and Michael made great friends with the officers who pulled them over. The officers were amazed that they pulled over Alex and Michael; it seems Polizei team members are the catch of the day for highway patrol officers around the world. The officers of the elite unit even invited Ross and Alex to dinner when the rally is over. Alex and Michael wanted me to point out that the Londino doesn’t deserve this. Michael feels terrible and shamed for bringing the first ticket ever to the event.
Otherwise, the event seems to be well organized and lots of fun. On a side note: I’ve never heard Alex so happy on a rally before, it really is a vacation for them.
Gas stop and unnecessary big mac chasers at Auchan shopping center 25 miles from Paris. 12 minutes lost… from vacation clock. alas. Now entering A15 south towards paris. Unknown Position, but, like going to the beach, you don’t need to sit by the water to catch the sun.
N49 02.283
E 002 11.884
Have shifted garmin waypoint to Arch of Triumph for mobile driveby picture opportunity (eta 0638hr) then proceed east on Champs Elysees for driveby shot of Obelisk at Place de La Concorde, then east to Place Vendome and Rit final checkpoint of the day.
"After a FANTASTIC lunch of Foie gras and salmon - sitting with Hudson Morgan - senior editor at Mens Vogue, and Laura Hughes, editor of Elite Traveler… we are now traveling at good Polizei speed. Light mist allowed for top down cruise, sudden mild rain and grey clouds necessitated a stop for roof raise. 2000 Z8 fantastic cruiser and unappreciated. People keep asking what it is!
182 driving miles since london
ETA Ritz Paris - 623hr local
In the lead with with Black Audi S5 factory loaner driven by Swedish girls, Pia Granberg and Annika
