Thursday May 6th Day 4 Monaco-Paris 612 miles

It was all to play for. Only 18 minutes separated the top five with the rest not far behind (except the Noble which at this stage everybody was starting to think was taking part in a different event to the rest of the Rabbit-Runners, but just so happened to be staying at the same hotels on the same nights).

So it was blast off from the Hotel Columbus at 8.30am, (you know the drill by now) at two minute intervals in pursuit of the Rabbit in an order calculated from the Nurburg-Modena stint and off they all went for the 612-mile leg to Paris along some of the most awesome straights of roadway in Europe. Would John and the good Doctor finally unleash the beast that was the de-restricted SL55AMG, or would they settle for snail pace behind Richie and Mike? Would Greg and Steve stretch the legs of the Ronart and literally hoover up the road that laid between it and Paris? Would Clive and Ian (team diesel) in the 7 series prove to be unbeatable with its high cruising speed and huge fuel range? Would Lyon catch anybody out? Would it be down to sheer pace or navigation skills?

The telephones were busy that day with more propaganda being spread from Mark and Paul in the Carrera 4S than George. W. Bush's office and it became apparent that the front runners, the 550 and the M3 were being held up 80 miles out of Paris due to a police car travelling at 80mph who warned the 550 and M3 not to pass. This news spread like wild fire enabling Gideon and Craig in the other M3, Clive and Ian in the 7 Series and Mike and Richie in one of the Merc. SLs to close up on the leaders.

As they entered Paris it would be navigation skills that would determine the winner, not only of the day but of the whole event. The M3 and the 550 knew Craig & Gideon had the technology and were trying to tail them so they had to opt for dirty tactics and ditch them in the rush hour chaos.

Craig and Gideon's moment of glory was to arrive first at the Warwick Hotel on the Champs Elysees where they received the chequered flag (not bad seeing as though they were the last car to leave Monaco). They would like to be able to say that their small victory was due to sheer pace and strategy but they owed it all to the pinpoint accuracy of the sat. nav.

Fish and Rob in the 550 thoroughly deserved second as they used their initiative and hired a taxi to lead them to the Warwick Hotel.

Mike and Richie in one of the SL's arrived third (amazing), with Mark and Paul in the Carrera 4S (team Porsche) fourth.

The evening in Paris kicked off with the prize giving. Sought-after trophies and free entry into Rabbit-Run 2005 for the winners, with second place receiving a 60% discount and third place receiving a 30% discount off the 2005 event.

Overall Positions

1st - Fish and Rob - Ferrari 550

2nd - Clive and Ian - BMW 7 Series

3rd - Mark and Paul - Porsche

The sensational event was rounded off with dinner at the Renault Restaurant on the Champs Elysees.

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