Peking to Paris Motor Challenge

Bitsy’s husband John is taking part in a classic car ‘challenge’ from Peking China to Paris France. Total distance of 8,923 miles (14,360 kms).

Peking to parisAbout the rally
The 1907 motor challenge was an event proposed by the Parisian newspaper, “Le Matin” to capitalize on the public’s interest in endurance motor vehicle events. The world had been circumnavigated by the start of the 20th century by trading ships, Europe, America and even Siberia conquered by transcontinental railways, however motor vehicle development was in its very infancy.

Five cars set out from Peking, four made it to Paris to a tumultuous welcome and world-wide fame – they had set out to prove that man and machine could now go anywhere, they hoped it would make borders between countries redundant. They had left Peking with no passports – these had been confiscated by Chinese authorities who suspected they were spies, and had no interest in seeing the success of the motor-car having just invested in shares in the trans-Siberian railway.

John and his partner Tim will be driving an MG SA Saloon SA0945.

The rally is from September 10 –  October 16.

Peking to Paris website

They’re raising funds for Cerebral Palsy

Low Clearance

Low clearance can be a real challenge for a truck driver. Especially inexperienced drivers of rental boxtrucks seem to be quite oblivious to the warning signs. So frequently do trucks crash into the 11-foot-8 railroad bridge at Gregson and Peabody in Durham, North Carolina, USA, that the railroad company installed a crash beam in front of it.

This is a compilation of 13 crashes at the railroad bridge.

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