Our own Cole Bradburn and his father, Kevin Bradburn, recently completed the Peking to Paris rally in their personal 1969 Porsche 912, which we built specifically for long-distance vintage rallying. We are pleased to report that the car performed admirably, exceeding our expectations with only a few minor issues. Cole and Kevin steadily climbed the leaderboard and proudly brought home a 3rd place overall trophy. This achievement was entirely unexpected, as their initial goal was simply to complete every kilometer in the 912(not on a tow truck) and handle all mechanical assistance themselves. They not only accomplished these goals but also earned a 3rd place overall finish, a delightful surprise for both.
For those unfamiliar with the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, it is seen as one of the last genuine motoring adventures on Earth. Completing it has often been described as 'Driving the Impossible.' After a five-year hiatus because of Covid and the Ukranian war, it finally returned with 100 cars and crews hailing from 26 different countries.
The rally spanned 37 days, covering 14,550 kilometers across ten countries. Starting from the Great Wall of China, the route led participants through China, Inner Mongolia, and Kazakhstan, then across the Caspian Sea to Azerbaijan. From there, the journey continued over the rugged terrains of Georgia, Turkey, and Greece. Just when participants thought the challenge was nearing its end, a demanding final stretch awaited them through Italy, San Marino, and finally France.
The Peking to Paris Motor Challenge is a singular event in the world of motoring—a historic vehicle and human endurance test that traces the path of the 1907 pioneers and the victorious Italian Prince Scipione Borghese in his massive Itala. True to its original purpose, it tested both the automobile and its crew, presenting the ultimate 14,000-kilometer adventure across the world’s largest landmass.
China seemed surprising for all competitors. The infrastructure and connectivity, even in the middle of the desert, were astounding. Hours away from any town, they had full 4G coverage, and they would drive past massive construction projects that seemed to exist solely for the sake of building. The Chinese people were always cheerful and welcoming, excited to see the competitors and their cars.
China, Inner Mongolia, and Kazakhstan presented significant challenges for the vehicles. Long stretches of washboard dirt roads, primarily used by large coal trucks, rattled the cars incessantly. Shock absorbers, tires, and wheels took a severe beating, and the relentless dust sapped everyone's energy. Eyes full of sand and dust contributed to the fatigue from camping and the long, hot days off-road. This exhaustion led competitors to neglect basic maintenance, such as cleaning air filters and checking suspension hardware. As a result, many engines began to smoke, and chassis broke. Numerous cars limped along to the ferry across the Caspian Sea, with some arriving on trailers.
Fortunately for Kevin and Cole, they only had three issues, one was a rear shock absorber losing all of its oil on a long washboard section in China. They had a spare and managed to replace it in about 25 minutes, continuing on and making it to the next checkpoint with only minutes to spare. The little 912's ability to maintain 90 mph+ on the highway proved invaluable. Pretty good for a little 1600cc.
The second issue emerged during an off-road sporting section: a slipping clutch. Unfortunately, the issue went unnoticed until the marshal signaled the start. They were forced to keep the engine revs below 3,000 RPM and had to remain in second gear. This caused them to be significantly below the required average speed. As they limped towards the section's end, Cole suspected that dust and silt, remnants of the deep silt crossing they had just come from and the relentless desert of the past three weeks, had infiltrated the bell housing, clogging the clutch.
Reaching the finish, they swiftly jacked up the car to access the bell housing. Removing a considerable amount of silt from the skid plate and trying to blow out the bell housing itself seemingly fixed the problem – a straightforward fix, albeit at an inopportune moment. This incident showed the unforgiving nature of dust and silt on these cars.
The unique air intake and filter system we installed inside the car attracted significant interest from other competitors. This setup was integral to the 912's off-road success. Cole checked the filter every few days, and it remained consistently clean, allowing the engine to perform optimally throughout the entire 9,000+ mile event. We use similar air intake systems in the open buggies we race in Baja, Mexico. These systems seemed like a perfect match for the extensive off-road conditions the 912 would encounter during this event.
Overall, China, Inner Mongolia, and Kazakhstan were breathtaking. Amid the long stretches of desert, stunning Alp-like mountains would suddenly appear, making competitors question whether they had somehow skipped ahead to the final week of the event. Upon reaching the Caspian Sea, many felt a sense of being closer to home. With only a small portion of Asia left to conquer, Europe—where many competitors resided—stood as the final challenge.
"Near the highest point of the trip, an ascent to an altitude of 3300m in the Qilian Mountain Range"
"The final and most memorable camp in China, known as the "Forest Camp," was beautiful and offered a refreshing break from the heat with a brief rainstorm. Interestingly enough, despite its name, there were no trees."
After crossing the Caspian Sea, there was a much-needed rest in Baku, Azerbaijan, though most teams spent the day performing essential maintenance and repairs on their cars instead of resting. This was crucial to revive the fatigued vehicles. Feeling rejuvenated, competitors departed Azerbaijan and headed west into Georgia, both stunning countries.
As they journeyed west from the Caspian Sea, the route transitioned from long off-road sections to more structured test tracks and regularities. Here, Cole and Kevin encountered their third mechanical issue of the trip. Throughout the day, as they approached Tbilisi, vibrations from the engine intensified, even shaking the accelerator pedal. Puzzled, they considered potential causes—perhaps the fan rubbing against the shroud? Cole adjusted the fan shroud, reducing some vibration, but the engine continued to shake so severely that it couldn't rev beyond 3500 rpm—not enough performance for the upcoming test track on the outskirts of Tbilisi. Was a cylinder failing? This stressful mystery persisted for about an hour on the highway.
Once they arrived at the track, Cole reached around the front of the engine and grabbed the fan nut that secures the fan to the alternator. He heard a "clunk, clunk" and felt the alternator shaft move a quarter inch up and down. One of the alternator bearings had spun in the housing, warping the bore and causing the fan to vibrate violently. Fortunately, they had a spare alternator in the car. Cole decided to limp the 912 through the test track and then drive the 15 minutes to the hotel before replacing the alternator, which turned out to be only about an hour of work. They still had time to enjoy a traditional Georgian meal with new local friends, organized by their German friend Franc Hoefermann-Kiefer—a wonderful surprise for Cole's birthday! The locals quickly informed the group that a traditional Georgian dinner includes 32 toasts, making for a delightful evening learning about the amazing country of Georgia.
Heading west into Turkey was a pleasant surprise. The route featured more high mountain passes and scenery reminiscent of the Alps. The first night in Turkey was unexpectedly spent at a ski lodge—a departure from what most competitors had anticipated. Overall, Turkey left a lasting impression as a charming destination.
Transitioning from Asia to Europe, Istanbul greeted them with its captivating beauty during the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha. Traffic was heavy leaving the city, yet the center of Istanbul remained bustling with tourists. Cole and Kevin had the privilege of visiting the Blue Mosque before it opened for the day, experiencing its serene and breathtaking interior almost entirely alone. Later, they explored the Red Mosque, marveling at its architectural grandeur.
"The empty Blue Mosque pictured above and to the right. Pictured below is the inside of the Red Mosque."
-Thanks to Martin Belvisi for these photos he captured during the visit.
After touring Istanbul, they returned to their hotel to undertake the final extensive maintenance for the remainder of the event: an oil change, valve adjustment, inspection of all suspension components, ignition timing check, and carburetor tuning, among other tasks.
Entering Europe, it seemed that the competitors felt as though they had reached the pinnacle of the Peking to Paris challenge, ready to coast downhill. However, knowing the organizers' inclination for surprises, they anticipated that this European leg would hold its own challenges, adding an exciting twist to their journey.
Competitors were advised to leave Istanbul as early as 4:30 am to outrun holiday traffic that was bottlenecking the passage into Greece. Another border crossing loomed. Early departure seemed like the solution, right? Wrong. As with every border crossing so far, the wait stretched far beyond expectations. It wasn't surprising, really. A large group of foreigners in unfamiliar, vintage vehicles must have been a sight for border agents. This particular crossing, however, held a special significance: it should be their last. Once in Europe, borders were meant to be a formality. But, despite cautious optimism and the early start, competitors found themselves staring down a 5 to 8-hour wait, the length depending on their hotel departure time.
Desperation sparked a breakout attempt. An ambitious Bentley from the pack made a daring move, swerving into the truck lane to bypass the queue. This gamble ignited a domino effect, with more competitors joining the queue jumpers.The exodus swelled to ten or more vehicles before border patrol intervened. Would they be forced to the back of the line? Thankfully, no. A 30-minute penalty ensured the bypassed locals regained their rightful place. Order restored, the competitors shuffled back into line, their frustration understandable. After a string of time-consuming border crossings, the "near end" fueled a touch of antsy behavior.
Reaching Greece, a wave of relief washed over many competitors. Back in Europe, they were undeniably closer to the finish line. Yet, the journey wasn't over. Thousands of kilometers, four countries, and a ferry crossing remained to conquer.
Greece zipped by in a blur. The scenic roads offered breathtaking views, and a refreshing dip in the Mediterranean followed by a delightful Greek lunch on the beach provided a welcome respite for many competitors. However, this newfound Mediterranean bliss wasn't universal. Several cars, still weary from the relentless weeks in the Chinese and Kazakh deserts, succumbed to mechanical issues. The ProDrive Mustang's fuel pump went out on the final climb before descending to the Italian ferry. Lacking a spare, they were towed to the ferry and faced a wait for a replacement upon arrival in Italy.
Cole and Kevin's good friends, Steve and Charlie Gray, had already endured a nasty collision with a local driver in Turkey. It seemed that the collision would end their event. Miraculously, they got their car back on the road in Istanbul, but it was on life support. Nevertheless, the determined father-son duo persevered. However, it wasn't going to be easy. While cruising along, their valiant Volvo started sputtering on the highway. A crack in the exhaust, a lingering consequence of the accident, was boiling all of the fuel out of the carburetors. The group travleing together sprang into action, and Martin and Frances Dippie, in their trusty Mercedes "Melba," volunteered to tow the Volvo to the nearest fuel station. Cole and Kevin, determined to offer support, stayed behind with hazard lights flashing, trying to warn traffic coming at the slow-moving towed vehicle at 130 kilometers per hour. What began as a quick tow to the next station morphed into a 170-kilometer odyssey all the way to the night's hotel. Perhaps a new record for the longest flat tow by a fellow competitor? Just another chapter in the grand adventure – after all, by this point in the rally, most competitors had forged a strong sense of camaraderie, a true rally family. Never an option to leave a competitor behind.
The Greek adventure drew to a close, and it was time to board the overnight ferry to Italy. The promise of a refreshing dip in the top-deck pool and frosty beers at the poolside bar soothed the weary competitors, making them a touch more tolerant of the ferry's car-loading chaos. However, once loaded, a harsh reality greeted them: the advertised pool and bar seemed frozen in time, a relic of 1980s marketing photos. A net draped the empty pool, and the poolside bar was boarded up. Nevertheless, the resourceful competitors weren't about to let this dampen their spirits. Fueled by the enthusiasm of the Kiwis and Aussies, a dance party erupted in the small lower-deck bar. The unlikely stars of the show? Brits, Richard Walker and Faith Douglas, along with German Lars Rolner, who tore up the dance floor, extending the resident DJ's set far beyond its usual duration.
The next morning, a restless energy went through the competitors. Confined to the ferry, they were unable to tinker with or drive their cars. The sight of the approaching Italian coast, however, sparked a collective surge of excitement. A mad dash ensued as everyone rushed to their vehicles, eager to disembark and resume the journey. A relaxed evening drive followed, delivering them to the quaint nation of San Marino.
San Marino, in a gesture of hospitality, opened its cobbled streets of the old town to these rumbling vintage machines. A spectacle unfolded as the dirty and loud vehicles navigated the normally pedestrian paths amidst the historic buildings. The warm welcome extended by the country's authorities, was even complete with gift bags.
Then, they were off again, venturing deeper into Italy. The journey traversed the entire width of the country, leading them to the western coast. Breathtaking switchbacks snaked through the Italian mountains, culminating in one final test track before a direct ascent towards the true Alps – not the mere foothills they'd been encountering throughout the rally. The genuine Alps signaled the approaching finale. As heavy rain descended, a single regularity test stood between the competitors and the French border. A brutal climb took them into the clouds, with visibility reduced to a mere ten meters. Maintaining the requested 40 kph pace on such a steep incline proved a significant challenge. The final timing checkpoint materialized only as competitors neared a collision with the red Hilux truck – the rally organizers' vehicle.Two mechanics, clad in full length neon orange rain jackets, waved them to a halt. As they returned the completed time cards, they delivered the exhilarating news: you are in France! The mountain pass marked the border into the final country of the event. A surreal moment washed over most competitors. The immense distance they'd covered, the meticulous preparations, the long-awaited return of the postponed event – all culminated in the realization that the finish line was merely a couple of days away.
The final days in France transformed into a celebratory prelude to the finish line in Paris, with most competitors yearning to reunite with loved ones. However, a few final regularity tests awaited them. Cole and Kevin, sitting in a comfortable fourth-place position for over a week, found themselves unexpectedly surpassing their friends, Martin Belvisi and Andy Lane, in the 1970 Porsche 911S, on the very last day of competition en route to Dijon. Five grueling weeks of driving distilled down to a mere 5-second difference! A pretty remarkable split between two teams at the end of such a long event.
The following day's drive to Paris resembled a victory parade – a leisurely Sunday cruise down the highway. Yet, nagging anxieties lingered in some competitors' minds. Would their cars hold out for the final stretch of just a few hundred kilometers? Most navigated the distance trouble-free, but a few weren't as fortunate. One competitor's engine even seized up close to the finish line, necessitating a tow across the finish! However, even a locked engine paled in comparison to the many surprises the organizers had thrown at the competitors throughout the event.
A final regrouping point awaited at a nearby police courtyard before a police escort would take them into the heart of Paris. It was a bittersweet moment – a last chance to celebrate with fellow competitors who had become a true rally family. Hugs, laughter, and even a few tears were shared.
The final push to the finish line was chaotic through the busy Parisian streets. Police escorts weaved through traffic, disregarding red lights and traffic laws as the competitors did their best to keep pace. Anxiety spiked once more as they neared the finish, the culmination of so much anticipation and desire to reunite with loved ones. Then,
there it was – the glorious finish line!
It was a very emotional reunion between competitors and their families and friends. Cole was met by his wife, Emilee, who is just weeks away from their baby's arrival, and their 17 month old son, Sonny. Kevin reconnected with his wife, Angie, and their youngest daughter, Lola.
The awards ceremony was a great event that allowed all competitors and their family and friends to relive and celebrate some of what they had just been through. Though it will take a long time to fully process what happened in those 6 weeks on the Peking to Paris.
Cole and Kevin extend their heartfelt gratitude to their families, the organizers, and their fellow competitors for making it such an extraordinary adventure. Also thank you to Will Broadhead for the amazing images that he captured during the whole event. More of those photos below.
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