144 SEE YOU AT THE START LINE...

It is official, we are officially registered for the Monte Carlo or Bust Rally: Black Forest Gateau 2026!!! It has been a long time coming, but we are finally signed up for the event.

I was checking their website for some information and noticed that the Black Forest Gateau tickets were finally on sale! After a wait of about 30 seconds, I had signed up and paid the £275 to confirm our entry. Team: Dirty Martin would be on the start line next year.

I messaged Carl, who was, ironically, in Italy at the time, to let him know the places were now available.

I went for a quick walk and returned to confirmation that Carl had also signed up! The two little Abarths are going on an adventure next year!!!

It wasn't all good news, though. Richie has a golf trip planned, so he won't be able to stay on after the rally. He'll need to drive back shortly after the end to pack and then fly back out. This is a real shame, but his trip was booked last year, so there is nothing he can do. I'm sure there will be something that can be done; we need a bit of time to work through the options available.

We can now start looking at the availability of villas to accommodate us all once we get to the end of the rally, right after we find out how many people will be staying in it. More questions than answers at the moment, but all very exciting!!!