WORDS: ELLIOTT HUGHES | PHOTOS: HERO-ERA
On October 10, 2023, 45 intrepid crews crossed the startline of one of the most demanding endurance rallies on the calendar: the Badawi Trial to the Last Oasis.
Organised by HERO-ERA, the 17-day, 7500km odyssey began in Jordan and will snake through the Middle Eastern territories of Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Despite HERO-ERA being one of the world’s most significant Historic rallying organisers, the Badawi Trial represents the first time it has run an event exclusively in the Middle East.
Vintage vehicles completed a steep ascent through the eastern flank of the Arabah Valley, which led to the ancient city of Petra
The 13 Vintage class entries, which are the only ones qualified to win the race overall, were the first crews to depart from the Jordanian city of Aqaba. The 1914 American LaFrance Type 10, piloted by Tomas De Vargas Machuca and Ben Cussons, led the field towards the Dead Sea, some 409km away.
The first two hours of the journey ran over the smooth asphalt of the Jordan Valley Highway, perhaps giving less experienced crews a false sense of security before the route peeled off the motorway towards the first of the day’s three regularity contests.
For the first regularity, each of the crews’ classic and Vintage vehicles completed a steep ascent through the eastern flank of the Arabah Valley, which led to the ancient city of Petra – one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
On reaching Petra, crews were granted special permission to park their machines on the grounds of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing crowds of unsuspecting tourists. After the interlude in the city, the crews spent the afternoon continuing their adventure through the mountains, travelling through the Fujeij Wind Farm before lining up for the second regularity competition.
Unfortunately, this contest wasn’t to be, because local police took issue with the event and insisted on escorting the entire field to the hotel, located 90 miles away on the coast of the Dead Sea.
Despite the best efforts of the organisers, the disapproving view of the constabulary remained steadfast, and the day was concluded by a three-hour journey under police escort. Undeterred by this setback, the adventure will continue, and an overall winner will be crowned in Saudi Arabia on October 26.
For more information on HERO-ERA events, click here.
