Words: Kev Haworth
Thirty-one starters made the grand departure of the Icelandic Saga 2015 in front of the Harpa Concert Hall in downtown Reykjavik on Sunday the 19 April. Heading in a northerly direction, this adventure in the land of fire and ice was to test some of the most experienced crews – as well as novices – from around the world as they made the 2090km, six-day trek.
The event received entries from all over the globe, with the furthest being Australia’s Phillip and Lyndy Blunden in their Morris Mini Cooper ‘S’: it took just over 10 weeks to ship the car to Iceland from their home in Melbourne.
Almost travelling a considerable distance was the United States’ George Coelho, was partnered by Brazil’s Joao Penido in a transatlantic-crewed Volvo Amazon to add to a truly cosmopolitan field that spanned most of Europe as well.
A wide range and age of vehicles competed, led by Wouter Panis and Menno de Haan in their 1933 Talbot 105 Vanden Plas Tourer. The vehicle suited the open road and regularity sections, but found some of the more intricate tests a little difficult to traverse.
The final car to set off was the well-known 1981 Ford Escort XR3 of Hebrides-based Andy Twort and his partner, Claudine Bloom. Both are prolific competitors and were making their second trip to Iceland, their first being in 2008. Often seen on the HRCR Clubman’s Championship, they were always in contention for awards.
Possibly the most unusual vehicle on the event was the 1980 Mini Pick-Up of Maurice Slap & Sofie Setterfield from Belgium, who competed recently in desert based event. Their beautifully turned out vehicle still sported sand in from a recent Saharan soirée.
On the first day, the convoy struck out from Reykjavik on a loop, which took crews close to Borgarnes. The western side of Iceland differs greatly in weather and in topography: there are many fords and flat-topped Tuya mountains that are predominant on this part of the Island. They frame the lowland waterway, a volcanic hangover from close to where the tectonic plates of America and Europe meet.
Paul Crosby and Andy Ballantyne were pre-event favourites and started strongly, but a cone struck on a driving test forced them into second position behind Joel Wykeham and David Brown in their BMW 2002. Christian Prunte in the HERO Arrive & Drive Porsche 911 partnered Daniel Gresly, and a recent run of consistent results – including a shakedown for the vehicle on the Poppy Rally – saw their confidence high. They held third overall despite having a difficult first test and being the first crew to score a wrong approach – to the start line!
Leaving Borgarnes and heading to the most northerly point of the event in Akureyri, the mixture of local gravel roads and driving tests took its toll on Stephen & Collette Owens’ Porsche 911. A small pivot snapped on the clutch actuator of their vehicle forcing them to drive back to Reykjavik from Hvammstangi, changing gear without assistance. After a rapid engine and gearbox removal aided and made possible by Porsche Club Iceland, their car was repaired and they made the near-400km drive back to Akureyri to the cheers of fellow competitors. They arrived on the stroke of last orders at the bar for a well-deserved drink.
The day had been tempestuous also for Crosby and Ballantyne, whose usually faultless 911 cried ‘no more’ on the regularity section before Hvammstangi. Much head-scratching ensued, with the fault finally traced to an ingress of volcanic dust, which was stopping the points from closing; the Porsche pair hot-footed it to Akureyri just in time to avoid slipping out of contention.
The third day began with Wykeham and Brown in the lead, with Gresly and Prunte now snapping at their heels. From Akureyri, the Icelandic Saga headed South East to end the day in Egilsstadir, the scenery now one of mountain ranges and threatening snow. A storm blew up, whipping snow across the roads that melted at first, and then refroze to make the driving conditions even more treacherous. It was the worst weather experienced throughout the event.
Fortunately all competitors made it into the service town of Egilsstadir, where Gresly and Prunte took the lead from Wykeham and Brown, who were being challenged by the Lotus Cortina of Julian Pitts and Graham Briggs. Witnessing the battle for podium positions were Steve & Julia Robertson, who were holding fourth position in their MGB GT V8.
The husband and wife team are always keen competitors and were beginning to push for an overall placing. Nick Mezger had a lapse of concentration and failed to check in at the Main Control in Akureyri, costing driver Tomas de Vargas 600 penalty points. The oversight caused them to drop significantly down the ranks.
After leaving Egilsstadir the route became very coastal. Competitors were constantly keeping abreast of the local weather due to there being snow forecast, but the route remained bathed in glorious sunshine – it would be like this for the rest of the journey, with the snow staying to the north of the island. Route 96 – known as Suðurfjarðavegur in Icelandic – rivals California’s Highway One for its sheer beauty as it clings to the side of the mountains and skirts the eastern coast.
Afternoon coffee was taken in Dúpivogur, a small fishing and service village on the east coast of the country, where the brief respite allowed competitors to catch their breath before overnighting in Hofn, in the shadow of Vatnajokull, the largest glacier in Iceland. Gresly and Prunte were now stretching their lead over the team of Wykeham and Brown, while the Robertsons had taken a well-deserved third in their MGB. They kept the place for the rest of the event, just reward for their consistency.
Behind the top runners were Francis Galashan and Graeme Dobbie, who, in fifth, were still tussling with the similar TR4A of Urs and Denise Mezger. The battle went down to the final day.
The final driving test of day four brought the one and only retirement on the Icelandic Saga when Stephen and Cherian Roberts’ TR6 engine expired. A death rattle as the bottom end of the engine let go signalled the end of their competitive involvement.
Although still remarkable, the plains and salt marshes of day five’s landscape proved a little subdued to that of previous days. Before crews ventured onto the only flat areas in Iceland, a stop at the Iceberg Lagoon gave them a chance to witness the beauty and scale of huge chunks of ice floating past on their way to the Atlantic Ocean.
There was little change to the leader board on the penultimate day, though some fine performances on the driving tests allowed Clive and Anji Martin to secure the Test Pilot’s Trophy for the best performance in this section. Crosby and Ballantyne drew on their experience and rose above newcomers Chris Kemp and Sid Sadique in the HERO Arrive and Drive MKI Cortina GT, and set some exemplary times. The final day brought some mistakes from Crosby and Ballantyne that resulted in the first timers taking 11th position.
Heavy snow caused the cancellation of the event’s final sections and the Icelandic Saga convoy headed back into Reykjavik. It soon became apparent that Daniel Gresly and Christian Prunte had taken a well-deserved win thanks to their consistent performances. In second were Joel Wykeham and David Brown in their BMW 2002tii, followed by the Robertsons in their MGB.
An emotional Gresly received the overall winner’s award from His Excellency Stuart Gill, Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Iceland, bringing the Icelandic Saga to a close. All who took part in this adventure left Iceland with lasting memories. An ever-changing landscape of outstanding beauty, each road and track has something to marvel at and the people are most friendly and welcoming. If you get the chance to visit this country, seize it with both hands – you won’t be disappointed.
Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC