Near Urbino for the Camel Trophy, by Daniele Somenzi

Selections for the Camel Trophy I take part a few km from San Marino in the selections for the famous Camel Trophy, which would be held for the winners in the United States. I set off alone with my grey Fiat 500 from Massa toward Florence and continue through the mountains, over a pass I had never done, until in the end I arrive at the destination. Here, together with many others from northern Italy, I sign up and give my details at the secretariat. They form pairs; I was B1 and B2 was a boy from Pesaro. The first test consisted of pitching a Canadian tent never seen before in the shortest possible time, and the two of us out of 60 pairs came first. Then they took us by minibuses to another place for lighting fires with wood, and back to the tents where B2 and I slept.

The next day other tests, dressed in motocross gear, running on foot along a war course and then with a Honda 125 motorbike. Naturally the other tests were won by those better prepared than me, but I don't think so, in the English test, which I undoubtedly passed well. Anyway, at a certain point of the day, realising that waiting hours and hours to be eliminated was pointless, I set off for home; those 2 days of selections were enough for me as a new experience, I didn't care much about winning or going there, I enjoyed myself all the same. bye