Category: Peking to Paris 2019

Up early Sunday morning after a rally briefing the night before, just reminding us of the rules, regulations, emergency procedures, intro of the team from ERA mechanics, medical team etc. lots of detail and refreshing the memories of those that have partaken in previous events.

An early dinner and bed. Stephen and I surprisingly have had little to drink and we considered it prudent not to prior to the first day of rallying.

We rose around 4.30, down for breakfast and on the road at around 6.10 to the start gate at the Great Wall of China some 78kms away. It had stormed that night with loud thunder and lightning. But the morning was fine and still.

The road was vacant of traffic, which was just as well when we missed a take off from the ring road, requiring a u-turn onto the opposing lane to retrack the course. Only Denise’s driver would attempt such a maneuver.

Good roads and hardly any traffic ensured a safe trip to the start, which commenced 7.30 with Chinese dancing. Drum rolls and a dragon dance. Very traditional.

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At the start gate and parking area with the dragon head displayed

Our starting position was as per the car number 48, thus we passed through the gate at 8.38 am and keenly headed off towards Hohhot, some 540kms away.

Little Denise just purred, cruising at 100/205 kms. Effortlessly.

To begin with, the roads were excellent, but this soon changed to back road condition and worse in many instances. Potholes and broken surfaces became the norm, knocking back the speed somewhat. Lots of toll booths and still little traffic permitting passing of slower vehicles easy. These rally organisers know where to find all the shit roads, off the beaten track.

We had been told the night before that a short track-like event in the back blocks of hill country around halfway to our destination.

We weren’t sure what was required but it turned out to be rather a nice short 3.7km event with two stop go’s and finishing astride the line at the end. A winding hilly track that Denise managed very well.

We don’t know how points would be credited but we thought we did well.

Then onward for another158kms to Hohhot and the hotel for the evening.

We got in on time, allowing Steve to make some adjustments to the rear spring hangers. He’s still at it now.

As Steve was attending to this work, a later arrival advised that the track event had been cancelled due to a driving mishap.

Apparently another NZ team driving a Volvo were involved. We hear that they are ok and that with some panel beating the car can be straightened. I hope so. We shall see and report when more is known.

Not many photos today as the navigating and book work didn’t allow time for photos. The countryside was mostly market garden and forestry so nothing to show really.

Tired and ready for a feed and then sleep. The time now is 8.00pm already, so….

Our scruitineering went well.

It was the most stringent and comprehensive of any rally experienced to date.

All the boxes were ticked however and it was over in 15 minutes. All signed off and ready to rumble.

Steve tinkered and tweeted some bits and pieces but nothing left to do.

Some cars did not pass the test and were regaled to make good and reinspected All will pass before the days end.

There’s a final briefing for teams at 5 pm today where the tulip maps for transit to the start gate at the Great Wall.

It’s a +- 70k run out there that will take 1 1/2 hours and the start time from the gate is 7.00am. Then there is a 540k run to cover the first day of the rally.

It will be nice to get out of the hotel and on the road.

We’ll have to get out of the hotel at 5.00am to meet at the start.

At least the traffic will be lighter at that time of day.

Other than some photos of the cars in the rally that’s about all to report for now.

Some character vehicles that give some of the Silk Road spirit into this rally. The Bentley is a modern built replica of the early cars. It’s brand new however. Looks fantastic up close.

On bus number 3, red code, we were delivered to the inland port where the cars for the entire rally were unloaded for competitors to drive back to the Shangri-La hotel. The day was fine, 32 degrees no wind no pollution at all. A typical kiwi summers day.

Eager to get into their cars, many were disappointed to find all of the petrol had been drained from the tanks. This is not unusual and we were told that this could occur.

Naturally we could only be concerned about our little Denise. Plenty of fuel and she started at the first turn of the ignition.

An inspection of the fuel bowl and the accompanying smell indicated a seal had dried out and was slowly loosing fluid.

Not long for Steve to replace and not long before we were underway, following the “tulip map “ supplied for the fuel station and the trip back to the hotel. Seemed simple enough.

Either it was the way the map had been drawn up and explained or the interpretation by the navigator. No guessing.

It was an hours drive back in heavy Beijing traffic, hot and slow.

Nothing of note to report other than the roof vent Stephen installed operated very well.

We were not the only ones who had difficulty reading the map it seems as many other drivers were perplexed by the instructions.

The display of vehicular machinery back at the hotel car park can only be described as stunning.

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Some of the amazing car bodywork, fashioned from bright aluminium. Stunning work. And a means of relief when travelling, Travel John. Interesting!!

Cars of all shapes and sizes and makes glistened in the afternoon sun, their owners shining them up and tinkering in readiness for scrutineering that afternoon and the following day.

Some of these cars are showroom ready. Big ones, small ones, some as different as you can imagine.

Pity that they will not stay this way for long.

Some of the various cars in readiness for the event including a voiturette a three wheeled French vehicle (left) to be driven by Belgian competitor Anton, a determined man who just wants to do things differently, to make it all the more exciting.

Stephen prepared Denise in a way that meant a minimal amount of preparation for the mechanics to inspect the fitness for purpose and that we had the necessary equipment on board.

However our inspection would not be until Saturday morning.

At 6pm we were invited to drinks in the hotel gardens. A lot of guests enjoying the interaction and talk of previous experiences rallying.

Good fun,  then dinner in the ballroom.

We didn’t last long. Food was Chinese, probably fine cuisine. Different would be a nice way to describe.

Stephen didn’t last long opting to eat sea bass at the hotel garden cafe/restaurant.

Bed and ready for the next days challenges.

The throng of competitors have now all arrived at the Shangri-La Beijing. In eager readiness of this big event.

Some 105 teams, 210 persons. A lot of raw people energy to be organised and managed.

There has already been interaction between those who have previously competed and the stories bring back vivid memories of the escapades on this challenging journey that lies ahead over the next 36 days.

The weather in Beijing is calm clear and warm. Promising signs of what may lay ahead, weather wise?

Yesterday was the first formality when we were lectured by the local constabulary on road rules in China, basic information like keeping to the right hand side of the road and observing speed signs and traffic lights.

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The police briefing and the attentive audience!

Not too difficult to take in. Just a reminder that we need to be alert and careful as we traverse the China roadscape.

“Denise” is a right hand drive vehicle in a left hand drive country, so we need to remind ourselves to “keep right”.

Today, Friday, we bus to the warehouse to uplift our vehicles.

There are lots of formalities to cover, insurance, registration, China drivers licences, then scruitineering  this afternoon.

GPS course uploads and much more.

A cocktail welcoming evening with a banquet dinner to follow.

With the number of competitors this is going to be arduous.

Still, there’s lots of frivolity and intense discussions of rally days in past times.

Having previously driven in this Peking to Paris event doesn’t in anyway give us an advantage.

Complacency will have an adverse effect.

There’s lots of talk about how the many cars have been prepared and the ability to perform. Ignorance of rally reality is bliss.

But we know well that the task in front of us is very challenging. There’s no guarantee about anything when you take into account the multitude of variables.

A casual statement from an avid rally enthusiast, “we are all mad” sums it up well.