A 30-year-old record set by an Army Major has finally been beaten after a British team completed the 10,300-mile trek from Cape Town to London in fewer than 11 days.
The pairing of Pirelli Classic Marathon founder Philip Young and Paul Brace arrived at London’s Marble Arch on Monday.
Raising money for the Farm Africa charity, they managed the trip in 10 days, 13 hours and 28 minutes driving a modern Fiat Panda. It had received modifications including sump guards, uprated suspension, an extra fuel tank and a raised air intake.
Young said: “The roads were treacherous, the heat unbearable and the timetable exhausting, but the car never missed a beat. This was an extremely tough journey, and Fiat can be proud of its reliability and ruggedness.”
Brigadier John Hemsley and his wife Lucy set the original time in 1983.
Driving a Range Rover, the Hemsleys completed the journey in 14 days, 19 hours and 26 minutes, despite being held overnight in a Syrian prison after they were mistaken for a terrorist raiding party.
