It took 2.5 hours after the ferry docked for all cars to clear customs and immigration and by 4.30 the first cars set out for the 700kms across a dusty desert to the market town of Gedaref. David Hiscox in the Datsun 240Z was sidelined for a while with overheating after the electric fan stopped working.

Dave Gough and Richard Phillipson, Peugeot 504, stopped with a puncture after hitting a pothole. The potholes were vicious for first 200km. The pre war Vauxhall of James and Max Stephenson strides down it all averaging 100km/h.

Marc Buchanan and Charles Green, Jeep Wrangler, are running slow and steady. Eric Claeys and Ben Deleye, Toyota 73 have had the biggest drama reported so far, hitting a donkey asleep on the warm tarmac which has stoved in the radiator... we have been running in the dark for most of the time.

By midnight 20 crews had reached the hotel after what has been an easy run. If the Vauxhall can romp along cruising at 60mph then those not here have clearly opted to take it even more steady. The road quality improved visibly after passing the town of Kassala. The cars are now parking up in the street of the hotel, with no shortage of police on guard.