"At your mark..."

Christ, what happened to April? I was so busy being unemployed that it just whizzed by. That's embarrassing, I thought I was on a bit of a roll too...

Things...#983

This one combines three things that I never imagined would go together (department stores, tiny islands, and racing) and so very much intrigues me. It's the 'Rally El Corte Ingles', sponsored by the well-known department store (well-know that is to anyone who's spent any time in Spain), and Gran Canaria's biggest car rally. Yes, biggest. That suggests there are others. Intrigued? Read on.

Approximately 75 teams compete for the Spanish and European Championship and about 60 teams for the Canaries Islands Regional Championship. The 623km course (yeah, crazy eh? I'm picturing them driving around in circles) is divided into eight stages of mixed terrain in various locations around the island which includes some gruelling mountain sections.

Now, while I hardly need an excuse to go to the Canary Islands (only troglodyte would) it's the fact that this little island in the Atlantic can have a rally race of any length. Way to go. And as we all know, rally racing is the only interesting form of car racing. Leave it to the Americans to herald NASCAR as anything more than a dick measuring contest. You only have to the end of the month before it's finsihed, so hustle over to the Canary Islands. [Editor's Note: ledgend speaks of a similar race on Tenerife - what are you waiting for, book your tickets already!]