Two thirds of the route through six countries across two continents has now been surveyed and all ground arrangements put in place. And what a good fun exciting route it is. Certainly the European route down to Turkey is the best we've ever created. And India is just something totally different.

In Europe we've found scenic back roads that make motoring good fun and obtained permission to use some stages from the great old classic Monte Carlo, San Remo and Acropolis rallies.

Typical colourful Indian mobile chicane

Mike Summerfield sat beside me for over 8,000 kms muttering quietly to himself as he played with two Terratrips, his GPS and other electronic gadgets at times when I was convinced we were so lost that a team of bloodhounds would never find us. But we never were really lost and Mike filled a huge pile of books, creating more tulips than you'll find in an Amsterdam flower market to create yet another of his splendidly accurate and well illustrated Road Books.

Let's look at the route day-by-day:

Sat June 5th - London to Portsmouth

After two days of documentation, scrutineering, the Welcome Dinner and getting to know each other we head from our London start into leafy Hampshire and a pair of classic British championship forest stages. They are twisty and a bit technical so treat them with respect - you have a boat to catch this evening.

After the stages there's a traditional British roadside pub with a big enough car park to make it an informal snack stop - and the gentle schedule for the day allows for that. It's a gentle unpressured day. Then on to historic Portsmouth and our overnight ferry to St Malo in France.

A fine modern ship with good cabins and a decent restaurant. Sailing time 20:30 arrival time 08:30.

Total for the day - 150 kms
Stages - 10k + 6km - Gravel

Sun June 6th - St Malo to Poitiers (France)

Off the boat and an easy hour and a half's run to the first control at the superb Auto Museum at Loheac. An outstanding collection of must-see cars - well worth spending an hour looking and this has been built into the schedule for the day.

Some of the cars in the Auto Museum at Loheac

Stage two is just outside the wealthy village of Laval and is similar except that the final 3 kms are fast and flowing.

The Mayor will provide a snack reception after the stage and then it's more rural back roads through ancient villages with river views and on to our overnight halt.

Total for the day - 495 kms
Stages - 9.5 kms + 17.5 kms - Tarmac

Mon June 7th - Poitiers to Rodez

Another day of rural roads through flat agricultural land, to mountains and gorges and dams along the Lot river. Picture book rural France. An opportunity for a morning coffee and croissant stop before the first stage in the shadow of an 18th century church in a secluded town square.

Two 5-star stages again on closed public roads, tight and technical, climbing and falling through woodland over bridges and streams. Ten kms of these feels like 20 - they are demanding.

Total for the day - 457 kms
Stages - 9.7 + 10.2 kms - Tarmac

Tues June 8th - Rodez to Gap

Now we're heading towards Provence. Days get warmer and the scenery changes from cosy and green to warm and sunburnt.

Tranquil (until we get there) rural France along the Lot Valley

The stages - Wow! Foot-tapping, heart-stopping, adrenaline-pumping, wrist-flexing, hand-brake-grabbing. If you don't like these I should give you your money back. They are brilliant. This will be one of the finest hours of your motor sport life. Promise.

Counting French sheep .... 156, 157, 158, 159...

Take time out for a coffee in one of the many little cafés 's a special experience. It's what America's Grand Canyon wishes it could be. I have to confess I'm an addict - this is one of my favourite holiday haunts.

Total for the day 455 kms
Stages - 15kms + 20 kms - Tarmac

Wed June 9th - Gap to il Ciocco (Italy)

Today is every young (and old) man's dream. You wake and the sun peeps over the tall Alpes Maritimes in the distance. There's a sweet scent wafting down from the hills. As you begin the climb the colourful visual assault is stunning - the vivid flouro yellow of wild broom, the stark white of tall hemlock, the solitary scarlet punctuations of poppies and the delicate softness of purple lavender. This is all part of the magic of the fabulous Route Napoleon.

You'll drive through here to get to Volterra's 18th Century town square

You are on one of the famous Monte Carlo rally stages where pages have been written in motor sport history books for 50 years. See what I mean about every young man's dream.

If you had time to look climbing towards the heights the views are stunning. Your choice - go for a good time or enjoy the views. Our Clowes Cup competitors, running at a less frantic pace, will have the opportunity to admire the Alpes as they climb ever upward.

The second stage is the Col de Faye. Similar but slightly faster. Watch for memorial plaques in the village squares commemorating the members of the Resistance who lost their lives in the second world war. Er, that's Clowes Cuppers, not rally drivers or co-drivers.

Over the top and your first view of the Mediterranean as the Route Napoleon wanders into the tunnels and frighteningly high bridges that soon become the fast winding Italian Autopistes.

Our superb 4-star hotel this evening sits high in its 400 hectare property overlooking typical Tuscan countryside. Dinner on the terrace - why not. Treat yourself to glass of fine wine and think back on a memorable day.

Total for the day - 485 kms
Stages - 17.2 kms + 10.4 kms - Tarmac

Thurs June 10th - il Ciocco to Arrezo

You like good stages? Well today we have four for you. We thought they were so good that we'd run the pair of them twice so you'll have done 42 kms of demanding competitive work before morning coffee. And you'll love them.

Two are twisty and tricky and the other two slightly faster and a little downhill. Now into the real Tuscany, small villages with flower boxes on balconies crammed with bright red geraniums, distant views to the mountains with lines of tall soldier pines, the house colours now softer, muted pinks and washy blues.

Our Clowes Cuppers get the luxury of a lie in and late breakfast as they join in for the second loop of stages.

There's a mid-day stop for a snack in the town square of Volterra - normally a pedestrian precinct - given to us so the locals can come and admire our cars while we sip espresso and bite into salami rolls.

Then more rolling countryside into our night stop and another town square, this one 14th century medieval, colonnaded and spectacular, which has been given over to the event by the Mayor to make an overnight exhibit of our cars.

Total for the day - 301 kms
Stages - 12km + 9km + 12km + 9km - Tarmac

Fri June 11th - Arrezo to Ancona (Ferry)

The day starts with one of the famous old San Remo gravel stages which we do twice. It winds and climbs to the summit and the descent is twisty and exciting. Yes, it's a morning heart-starter. This is another instance of 18 kms of this feels like 30 kms of anything else. Again we allow the Clowes Cuppers a late start to tackle the second run.

More of glorious Tuscany including an informal al fresco roadside lunch stop at an almost secret picnic area served by a traditional little café-cum-deli. Great sandwiches and coffee either neat and espresso or with fluff on top. Enjoy your snack in the shade of massive oak trees.

Head now for the port of Ancona and the overnight ferry to Greece. Find a waterside café if you're early and sit and watch the world go by. A good modern boat with sun deck and a pool, decent cabins and a good restaurant. I feel a cruise night party coming on.

Total for the day 237 kms
Stages - 18 kms + 18 kms - Gravel

Sat June 12th - Igoumenetsa to Thessaloniki (Greece)

Overnight boat to Greece - fancy a drink and a dip

Today is the first day you'll break 500 kms. Today you become a Marathon Man. Off the boat at around 09.00 into rugged mountain ranges with distant snow caps - little or no habitation. We leave the Aegean and head again to the Mediterranean. The first control is 300 kms from the port with heaps of time to achieve it.

Today our Clowes Cup competitors have a non-competitive day. They turn off to the amazing mountain top monasteries at Meteora, one of the great sights of old Greece and something not to be missed.

Our rallymen get two 5-star stages and then into our 5-star waterfront hotel where once again the cars are on exhibition on the Esplanade for the townsfolk to come and admire.

Total for the day - 563 kms
Stages - 13 kms + 12 kms - Tarmac

Sun June 13th - Thessaloniki to Alexandroupoli

Out of the hotel and almost immediately into three old Acropolis stages. Fast but tricky and very twisty in parts. Co-drivers recommended not to eat large breakfasts.

The 49 kms of stages finish in a tiny, cute, typically Greek village crammed with six typically Greek open air restaurants. A wonderful mid morning snack stop - souvalaki (tiny lamb barbecues on wooden skewers) and coffee or chilly drinks.

Then follow the coast road along the Med before a fast blast on the motorway to yet another 5-star beachside hotel where an al fresco dinner is a must. Get in early and there's a fine swimming pool for a refreshing dip too.

Total for the day - 408 kms
Stages - 21kms + 16 kms + 19 kms - Gravel

Mon June 14th - Alexandroupoli to Bursa (Turkey)

Today is a very special day for the Aussies and Kiwis. The second stage finishes on the Gallipoli peninsula just before Anzac Cove where all the cemeteries and memorials are to the 250,000 Anzacs who lost their lives in the 1915 war. A similar number of Turkish troops died too and each year on Anzac day the solemn dawn ceremony is broadcast live around the world.

It's a spooky place as would be anywhere in the world where three nations between them lost a generation of their youth. Time to dally awhile has been built into the schedule for the day.

Two good man-sized marathon style stages are new to us but typical of the good things that always happen to us in Turkey.

Drive down one side of the Dardenelles and take a 10 minute ferry and then up the other side of this vitally important waterway and then a fast blast to our overnight stop.

Total for the day - 512 kms
Stages - 24 kms on Gravel + 19 kms on Tarmac

Tues June 15th - Bursa to Ankara (Airport)

The last day of the European leg, and the longest day so far. Two spectacular stages through farming country on slightly broken tarmac in places but one the V8s will enjoy.

Then it's 300 fast kms on the motorway to the airport and to load the Antonovs. Our Airborne Redshirts fly with the cars in the giant Russian cargo planes while crews spend the night at a hotel close to the airport in readiness for their early morning charter passenger plane to India.

Enjoy a celebratory drink this evening, You've earned it covering the very best and toughest route we've ever put together in Europe.

Total for the day 612 kms
Stages - 27 kms + 11 kms - Tarmac

Wed 16th - Airlift to Cochin (India)

An early start and touchdown in Cochin at around 18:00 hrs. Taken by coach to settle into three good hotels conveniently close to the airport which is 26 kms from the town centre.

Thurs June 17th - Rest day - Cochin

Coaches take you from your hotel to collect your car from the Customs area at the airport. All documentation will have been done for you, so it should be a simple drive-away job.

The rest of the day is yours to either fettle your car or loaf around poolside and enjoy the cool local Kingfisher beer and the slightly warmer curries.

Fri June18th - Cochin to Munnar

Cochin High Street - it's all happening

A colourful ceremonial start complete with local musicians and an elephant and it's off to tackle your first day on the hectic Indian roads. First impression will be "Oh Gawd, there're coming at me from all directions". And of course they are.

There's a basic order based on speed which starts with barefoot pedestrians, then bicycles, then auto rickshaws usually sensibly driven as taxis by owner drivers. Now it starts to get hairy; next up are the big trucks and they range from hells fast or overloaded and bog slow. Finally there are the buses and they take no prisoners and are driven in the main by wild-eyed men who appear to be on a bonus for (a) getting to destination in new Schumacher-style record time and (b) frightening the curry out of their passengers.

Don't be surprised to come across all or any of the above four abreast on a road which is two cars wide. Oh, and of course you've got the same enactment coming towards you. You'll get used to it and adjust your style and manner accordingly. I bet Bernie wishes he could make Grands Prix this exciting.

Oddly enough in eight days we didn't see one road accident, so maybe they are all brighter than their behaviour suggests. You'll see that daily distances are much lower compared with Europe and time allowances more generous. Oh, and remember that as part of the nation's British heritage driving and other dare devil activities are still done on the left hand side of the road.

Not a hotel that we are using!

All tea is hand picked and you'll see teams of women (tea ladies?) working away on impossibly steep slopes earning around US$1 per day. The perfect pick is two tiny leaves and a bud, and they do this in a two-handed blur. It's piece work and they get paid per kilo.

Cut to the chase! We are in plantations owned by the Tata company, India's fourth largest company who also own the Tetley brand. Our stages weave through the plantations on narrow tarmac roads often only one truck wide and interminable hairpins take you from one terrace level to the next. It's all about precision driving and being able to get neatly around hairpins. And there are more of them that you'll find on the floor of a busy hairdressers salon.

Today the first one is 19 kms and the second is 18kms and they, if I'm not mistaken, will be the most taxing and demanding stages you'll have driven in a long time. Hard work. Gang warily !

Our hotel tonight is a luxy resort with wonderful misty morning views across the valleys.

Total for the day - 204 kms
Stages - 19.4 kms + 18.8 kms - Tarmac

Sat June 19th - Munnar to Coimbatore

Superb distant views across valleys as we drive to the first of our two plantation stages. More hard work with seldom more than 150 metres in a straight line. Tricky stuff and for those who get it all dead right very satisfying.

The four Tata-owned stages didn't have names so we created names for them. They are Tetley, Avacuppa, Avanothercuppa and Ta-ta. Made sense to us

Coimbatore our night stop is the rally centre of India, so expect a warm welcome from knowledgeable enthusiasts and lots of rally workshops around town.

Total for the day - 199 kms
Stages - 15.6 kms and 23.4 kms - Tarmac

Sun June 20th - Coimbatore to Mysore

Mysore, just another old Maharajs' palace - now our HQ Hotel

Today we have a unique pair of gravel stages on a windmill farm. So don't worry about the dust, if there's enough wind to drive the mills to make electricity there's enough to blow the dust away.

Ever raced through 250 windmills before? Well, there's a first time for everything. Fairly fast and sweeping and lots of sideways opportunities for the V8s and anyone else who wants to behave badly after the constrictions of the narrow plantation stages.

There's a section of road now that you'll think was purchased second hand from a Middle East war zone, but it eventually converts to decent flat top and just when you're getting used to that you are confronted with a 3,000 ft climb involving a pass with 26 hairpins. And eventually into Mysore, famous city dating back to the glory days of the Raj with no less than eight palaces.

The HQ hotel is in a former Maharajas' palace, no longer what could be described as luxurious but it's huge and has that wonderful slight threadbare air of faded gentility about it. They are rather proud that some of the baths and plumbing date back to the turn of the century and were imported from Scotland.

Total for the day - 311 kms
Stages - 13.7 + 11.5 kms - Gravel

Mon June 21st - Mysore to Ooty

Two runs over a brilliant 12 km hillclimb within sight of the HQ hotel, it comes complete with spectator enclosures so expect some enthusiastic local support for your efforts.

Off then through game reserves - elephant, deer, tribes of monkeys and colourful birdlife - to yet another climb over a mountain pass, this time with 36 hairpins. Finally to the hillstation township of Ooty at 7,000 feet. Formerly the summer capital of southern India in days before air conditioning and much favoured for its cool climate while temperatures on the plains were often in the high 40s centigrade.

Total for the day - 153 kms
Stages - 12 km + 12 kms - Tarmac

Tues June 22nd - Ooty to Cochin

A ceremonial start in the town centre flagged off by The Collector, a title dating back to the 19th century which makes him the equivalent of the Governor of the Region.

Then straight into a superb wide sweeping public road stage created for us by a unique road-close order and aptly named The Collector's Gift.

Then into the last stage on this sub Continent and probably the best in the country. It's an estate immaculately maintained in show condition growing coffee, tea, cardamom and nutmeg. More twists, turns and hairpins which come up in a blur of frantic activity which will be enjoyed at a more leisurely pace by our Clowes Cuppers.

The final run down to sea level and to Cochin to where the first arrivals will go into a specially constructed car wash required by Australian Quarantine before the cars are loaded into the Antonovs.

Total for the day - 335 kms
Stages - 12 kms + 10 kms - Tarmac

Wed June 23rd - Rest Day

Car washing and Antonov loading continues - a leisurely day for the crews. Late evening Antonovs with Airborne Redshirts fly out for Oz.

Thur June 24th - Competitors fly to Oz

An early start with our charter flight leaving at around 08:00 to arrive in Alice Springs at around 18:00hrs local time.

Fri June 25th - Rest day in Alice Springs

Collect cars and make ready for the final 10 days and the real sting in the tail of the event.

The Road book survey of the final ten days from Alice to Sydney will be done in August when Mike and I have got our breaths back.

HORNY BUSINESS

In India every truck and every bus has a large slogan on the back 'Sound Horn'. Roadside signs give the same instruction. Indian drivers rely on you telling them you are there. If you don't announce your presence you don't exist in their world

So here's a car preparation tip. Wire a foot operated horn for your co-driver to use. Serious. There are times when you, the driver, will be busy doing too many other things to find your button. It also stops your co-driver constantly reminding you to get horny.

MONEY AND PLASTIC AND FRONTIERS

With the advent of the Euro you can get through France, Italy and Greece with that single currency. Turkey still has its lira at a bzillion to any other currency you can name and India has its rupees which run at around 50 to the US$ which is easy to cope with.

Plastic works all the way from London into India save that gas stations in rural Turkey and India still ask for cash. So carry enough to deal with that and a few small road tolls.

Europe is now virtually frontier free - you won't see customs or immigration posts between going into St Malo and going into Turkey, so life gets much easier in that respect.

OCTANE RATINGS

From the UK to Italy there's the usual selection of 97 unleaded and 95 lead replacement fuel. In Greece it's 95 and 97 unleaded and in Turkey it's 95 unleaded.

In India standard fuel is 87 unleaded but some Bharat gas stations in large towns offer Speed 90 octane fuel, look for the Q&Q signs which mean Quality and Quantity guaranteed.

Octane boosters are commonly used in India and we are hopeful that bulk supplies can be provided for competitors at Cochin and various overnight stops on the route.

SERVICE IN INDIA

Competitors looking for service assistance in India will be pleased to know that the Spitfire Rally Club in Coimbatore are planning to put together service trucks which can look after four or five competitors, carry their spares and wheels and do nightly servicing for them. Costs are being worked on at the moment and shortly we hope to have an order form so that you can make you booking early.

This scheme should work well for those competitors who are planning to work on a Service Pack principle and have one service crew covering London to Turkey for them and another covering Alice to Sydney. We hear of schemes being set up where a Brit provides the European service crew with financial contributions from Aussies who provide a similar service down under.

All competitors on email have had the list of competitor e-mail addresses so making contact with fellow competitors is very easy and other requests can be placed on the Guestbook page on the website.

REVISED RULE ALLOWS ENGINE UPGRADE

Article B1 of the Regulations now defines eligible cars as: Cars complying with the manufacturers specification for the model as manufactured before the 'Date'.

Very simply this means that, for example, a 1971 Porsche 911 can bring itself up to 1973 RS specification with flared wheels arches and a 2.7 litre engine.

Similarly Ford Escort Mk1 cars can be upgraded from, say, a 1600cc pushrod to an 1800cc BDA.

This revision will be formalised in an Official Bulletin.

DEDUCT AIR AND CONTAINER COSTS

The entry fee includes container shipment of your car from Sydney to London and a pair of air tickets from Sydney to London. Competitors travelling different routes - like coming from or going to the USA, New Zealand or South Africa - can deduct US$ 2,000 for not using the container and US$ 1,200 for not using the two air tickets. Several people have said they plan to use their air miles for tickets. Not a problem!

STAYING IN THE EVENT

The rule from the last London-Sydney Marathon about missing a morning start and being eliminated from the event has been re-written. A competitor may now miss a morning start and try and catch up with the event. Subject to his penalties not exceeding 100 minutes he can rejoin and be included in the results. (Art 18.4.8) And, of course, getting to the airlift points on schedule.

PATHFINDER BUY-BACK

Fancy doing the Clowes Cup but haven't got a 4x4, or if you have you'd rather put 15,000 kms on somebody else's 4x4. Well, here's a deal we've put together.

You buy a brand new Nissan Pathfinder from us for US$ 27,000 and its ready to pick up in London during the week before the start complete with Terratrip. In Sydney you sell it back for a guaranteed US$ 19,250. So the effective cost is just US$ 7,750.

It could even be used as a service vehicle. But we've only got ten of them and two have already been taken. See full details on the website.

GUIDANCE NOTES

During the eight months before the off we will be producing a range of Guidance Notes, each one dealing with a particular subject, for example: 'Vehicle preparation', 'What gets checked at scrutineering', 'Shipping your car', 'Carnets', 'Passports and visas'.

These Guidance Notes are designed to answer all the questions you have and have worked well on previous events. But do read them! One previous competitor didn't bother and arrived in Poland without the appropriate visa and rejoined the event four days later.

TV COVERAGE

British Sky TV have committed to producing six one hour programmes covering the event. Producer / director David Winstanley will be on the event as a competitor in the GpN category with a camera crew.

Six hours is a lot of TV and they will be working hard to tell the full story of the event involving as many (good looking) competitors as they can find.

So make sure both you and your car look as attractive as possible and you could be a star!

CREDIT CARD SURCHARGE

In common with many other organisers and companies we are suffering an increase in the costs credit card companies levy on us. As a result we now have to adopt the common practice of adding 2% to all entry fees which are paid for by credit card. This will start from 10th July 2003.

COMPETITOR'S ADVERTS

From time to time members ask us to put an advert on our web site so they can sell their car or find a partner to enter London-Sydney. This is a free service and all we need are some words and, if you are selling a car, a photo is a good idea. Find them on our Shop & Ads page. Here are some of the recent ones:

I'm looking for a running mate to join me in the Clowes Cup for London-Sydney Marathon 2004 in my ready-to-go Subaru Forrester. Share the entry fee - share the driving. I am aged 60 and a bit and a married Brit now living in Australia (NSW). A former owner of an Ad Agency, I'm looking for a convivial like-minded male to share the adventure and have some fun. Contact Bill Sherman +61 2 4889 4059 or email bsher@acenet.com.au

1970 2400cc PORSCHE 911 FOR SALE

Completely rebuilt by Franz Stangl for the 2000 LSM rally. Finished 21st without any mechanical breakdowns. Done less than 30,000 kms since rebuild. FIA rally Vehicle ID book available. Additional specs & pics on request. Can assist with delivery anywhere in world. Selling price Euros 34,000.

Contact Derek Urquhart in South Africa: +27 82 338 3158 or email derek@automagic.co.za

For sale or possibly rent 1967 FORD CORTINA-LOTUS Mk 2. Total rebuild for 1993 London-Sydney and a virtually trouble free run, except self-inflicted. Built to similar spec to the 1968 Works cars. Specification too long to list, but this is a very strong, reliable car, comfortable and quick when the red mist comes down! Last event was Rallye des Alpes in 2001 (won a team prize), I can take it anywhere in UK to view for cost of fuel. Many spares, great car, sensible price, much cheaper than starting from scratch (bills to prove it!!). Ring David Harrison in UK for details. +44 1789 731042, e mail david.h@titgemeyer.co.uk

LATE NEWS - JIMMY McRAE IN A TOYOTA

Some people know Jimmy McRae as five times British Rally Champion. Other's know him as world champion Colin McRae's dad.

Jimmy has signed on and will drive a new South African-built Toyota Coralla RunX Rsi in a two-car team with Graham Lorimer. The 210 bhp hatchbacks are being prepared in the workshops of Toyota Motor Sport in Johannesburg.

Having Jimmy in the event is a big plus, he will set the standard by which all other competitors measure themselves. And the GpN battle between the New Zealand Honda Integras and the Toyotas will now really come to life.