So first up some news and photos sent by de Sadeleer from the European sectors of the race so far.

From the muds of the French military proving grounds in central France (above), to the forests of Château de Montplaisir near Narbonne (see video below), to the ferry port in Almeria Spain, the Gstaad Transafricans were in good shape lying in 8th place (out of 56 in their class). In telephone conversations with GstaadLife.com, de Sadeleer reported that the European sections were relatively painless, with the car running extremely well, and the pair were relaxed and able to conserve energy for the challenges ahead in Africa. Indeed so much additional bandwidth did they have, that Janssens was even able to offer up his mechanical skills to repair the transmission of fellow Land Rover rallyers, Charles Bourbon Parme and Charles La Haye Jousselin in car 113. The Gstaad Auto Club's not just a social thing, you know.

We'll have more from the early African stages by tomorrow. In the meantime...

Team Gstaad Automobile Club is sponsored in part by ING Private Banking.

Thu. 01.11.2007 15:58. Stan and Vincent at the wheel at the start of Day 1.

Fri. 02.11.2007 11:16. the mudlands of Olivet were no match for our Gstaad Transafricans...

Fri. 02.11.2007 11:18. ...but someone has to wash the car. Vincent does the honors while Stan...well, takes photos...

Sat. 03.11.2007 10:15. Well, so much for all that washing. This is what the engine of Team Gstaad's Land Rover looked like the following day after the next stage in the dusts of Narbonne (see video above)!

Sun. 04.11.2007 17:26. One of the big personalities in this year's race is Claude Marreau, winner of one of the first Paris-Dakar rallys. And yes that really is a Renault 4 he's driving...