Teams from New Zealand and Australia have triumphed on the gruelling 8510-mile Peking to Paris Rally, which finished in Paris this week.
The Vintageant class was won by Bruce and Harry Washington and their 1929 Chrysler 75 Roadster, while Mark Pickering and Dave Boddy’s 1973 Datsun 240Z triumphed in the Classic category.
The rally was Bruce Washington’s third bite at the cherry, having failing to finish at his first attempt and placing fourth with son Ben in 2013. “Each country was like its own rally,” said rally novice Harry. “Once you crossed the border, you never knew what you were going to get. I’m so proud of my dad…and I’d go back and do it all again tomorrow."
In addition to picking up a winner’s trophy, Harry scooped the Philip Young Cup, presented to the best-performing novice of the event.
A hard-fought performance led to Mark Pickering and Dave Boddy’s first Peking to Paris win. Mark said: “It is an amazing feeling to have won such an iconic event, thank you to the Endurance Rally Association for another fantastic adventure, meeting up with old friends and making new friends, seeing places in the world that would never see otherwise. The car is tired and so are Dave and I, looking forward to a well earned rest.”
By the end of the event, 98 of the 107 crews who set off from the start line in Beijing made it to Paris. The route wound through 11 countries, taking in Russia, Belarus and Mongolia’s Gobi Desert.
Rally director Fred Gallagher said: “Prince Borghese, the very first winner of the Peking to Paris, said it was driving the impossible, and I’m sure all of our crews would agree. But they arrived in Paris to a heroic welcome and should all be very proud of what they have achieved. The spirit amongst the whole rally has been fantastic with friendships forged that will last a lifetime. An amazing experience for all of us.”
