the Peking to Paris motor challenge

"The early-morning mist that rolls down the hills of the Great Wall of China began to clear just as the band started playing. Cars with eager drivers keen to get away lined up ready to park up under the giant arch in front of the wall, as first a local children’s brass band, and then a terrific demonstration of Chinese dragon-dancers took centre-stage. The 14-litre aero engine of Car Number 1, the La France, was drowned out by the clashing of giant cymbals and big drums. Rarely has a rally start been as colourful – or, filmed by as many TV news channels." [1] Since the early pioneers first drove Peking to Paris in 1907 the ERA (Endurance Rally Association) has organised three further editions of this remarkable event. The Peking to Paris is the longest and toughest challenge anyone can drive in a vintage or classic car.

On 28 May 2013, the flag fell at the start of the 5th Peking to Paris Motor Challenge ; it will be the start of a remarkable adventure and the chance to explore the drivers' powers of resolve and the extent of the human spirit. Ahead will be thirty-three days of living an extraordinary adventure driving through some of the remotest places on earth. The route is plotted to take the cars and drivers, mechanics and entourage, through the following places : Peking – Great Wall of China – Inner Mongolia – Gobi Desert – Outer Mongolia – Ulaan Baatar – Telmen Lake – Russia – Novosibirsk – Omsk – Tyumen – Samara – Ukraine – Kiev – Lviv – Slovakia – Kosice – Bratislava – Austria – Schladming – Switzerland –  Gstaad – France – Troyes – Paris.

The 2013 Peking to Paris route drives from China, through Mongolia, then into Russia and westwards to the Ukraine, Slovakia and Europe on route to the triumphal finish in Paris. The will be free days in Ulaan Baatar, Novosibirsk, Samara and Kiev. Total = 12247 kms (7610 miles).

Few car rallies can compete with the stunning backdrop provided by the Great Wall of China.Some 96 vintage and classic cars are setting off from the historic setting in a race to Paris that spans more than 12,000 kilometres. See the EuroNews coverage here.

[1] Ref. http://www2.endurorally.com/pp2013/reports.html