The tough terrain of Mongolia and the Gobi Desert has widened the field in the 2016 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, with many of the early favourites suffering mechanical issues and limping into Russia for repair.
“Mongolia certainly separated the men from the boys,” said Rally Director Fred Gallagher. “Recent bad weather had made the terrain more challenging and so it exposed any weaknesses in the cars.
“We had some return to the capital Ulaan Baatar for repair while those affected later in the journey found themselves being towed across the border to a waiting truck to head to Novosibirsk, utilising the rest day in the garage.”
Among these was last year’s runner-up in the classics category Peter Lovett and Tim Smith in their 1965 Porsche 911. Suspension problems made the car ‘near on impossible to drive’ in the latter stages of the Gobi Desert stage according to the experienced rally team. Though now repaired and back in the rally, they have fallen out of trophy contention.
Three-time winner Gerry Crown and Matt Bryson are slowly climbing back up the leader board in their Leyland P76 after sorting their mechanical issues and are now in sixth place.
New Zealander Brice Washington and his son Harry in their 1929 Chrysler 75 Roadster still lead the Vintageant category, with the UK’s Mike Thompson and Andrew Davies hot on their wheels in a similar car. Fellow Brits Richard Thompson and Paul Dilley are currently third in their 1940 Studebaker Coupe.
There has been a change in leadership in the Classic category after a series of technical issues for Italians Giorgio Schon and Pierre Tonetti in their 1971 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super.
Mark Pickering and Dave Boddy have picked up the lead in the 1973 Datsun 240Z with fellow countrymen Rob Garnsworthy and John Teasdale second in their 1970 Ford Mustang. The Ford Escort Mexico Mk1 of Nigel Farmer and Stephen Lovell sits in third.
The Peking to Paris has had an amazing welcome in Russia and will spend 13 days in the country before making its first visit to Belarus. The Altai and Russian Motoring Clubs have offered superb support to the events, arranging closed roads, circuit use and additional time trials to keep the competitors on their toes.
The event crosses into Europe on Tuesday 7th July when another competition will begin for the European Cup. Fred Gallagher added: “This will give those who were looking to claim some silverware the chance to redeem themselves and will make the final run to Paris even more exciting.”
