96 cars, 33 days, 26 countries, 12,500 kilometres.
The 5th annual Peking to Paris rally has had its fair share of drama and excitement, tinged with tragedy, on route from the Chinese to the French capital. Contestants from all over the world joined the impressive starting line-up, with the month-long event beginning with a ceremony at a classic car rally in Juyongguan, Beijing, near the Great Wall.
A 1938 Chevrolet Fangio Coupe en route to Paris Image: Alex Polzehaev |
Among the eclectic mix of cars competing in the rally are a Jaguar XK150, a Bentley R-Type, a Rolls Royce 20, a Porsche 356C and, of course, the essential Volkswagen Beetle.
Most of the cars competing were built between 1920 to 1975, however, some fall into the Edwardian or Brass Era category.
The oldest car in the 12,500km race is a Ford Model T, which is still chugging away at the ripe old age of 100! This particular Model T was produced in 1913 and has been specially renovated to complete the gruelling cross-continental journey.
Sadly, a sombering moment came when a British competitor was killed during the Omsk to Tyumen section of the race. Emma Wilkinson, 46, died when a car collided with her Chevrolet on a strip of federal highway. Her partner and co-driver was, miraculously, physically uninjured in the crash.
The rally finishes at the end of June.