IRT Deadliest Roads: The Andes

[Bassman]

Yet another Ice Road Truckers spin-off. This is being shown on History on Sky every night, currently at 8pm (no doubt with repeats).

The first episode last night looks to be a repeat of the driving conditions in the Himilayas, but with more European looking trucks. The three "teams" were driving 3 axle Volvo F12 Rigids, though one appeared to be an 8x2 with the second sterring axle de-wheeled! The trucks appeared to have a rather long body on the chassis which gave them a fairly substantial rear overhang, which considering the roads didn't do the drivers any favours!

The usual suspecte were in evidence in the shape of Hugh, Lisa and Rick. Dave Redmon (Alex's replacement) from the Himilayas program was there and two newbies (Tim and Tino from LA).

Hugh and Rick of course went at it with a vengeance, arriving at their destination early. No idea why Lisa does these things as she was (again) reduced to tears and let Dave drive (and he was none too impressed) and they abandoned their truck.

It will be interesting to see how this develops over the next 13 episodes.

[coastie]

She played a blinder in the Indian one.

[Bassman]

Looks like the daily episodes are re-runs until they get to the new episode which will be shown on Thursday. I expect Channel 5 will show the program before too long.

Last nights episode saw two of the teams fail on their second run. Admittedly one team had brake failure... twice due to an air line coming off but the other team managed to hit a pot hole. They continued but eventually got bogged down in some mud.

At the end of the episode two drivers went home!

[Bassman]

Last night's episode included a "battle" between Hugh and the two newbies, Tim and Tino.

It started when Tim and Tino bribed some guys doing some roadworks to hold up Hugh. This on the inevitable narrow unsurfaced road with apparently 42 single track tunnels. The newbies were of course "racing" on to try to keep ahead of Hugh. Needless to say Hugh caught up. He tried to overtake and the others tried to prevent him. There was truck damage.

I would be surprised if anyone had a job when they got back home.

Lisa and BW had a 24 hour journey as they had to go slow to avoid damaging their cargo. Obviously no niceties like Driver's hours there!