THE COMPETITION HEATS UP AS THE PEKING TO PARIS MOTOR CHALLENGE HITS THE GOBI DESERT

The 2016 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge is already hotting up, as the competition has started in earnest now the rally competitors have reached Mongolia’s Gobi Desert.

With 107 crews and cars making it to the Great Wall of China start line on Sunday 12th June and two days journeying through China, the first test took place after the border crossing into Mongolia.

After a night under canvas, competitors were treated to a trio of special tests that challenged both car and driver, with some cars coming off the worst, including three-time winner Gerry Crown and Matt Bryson in the Leyland P76 who suffered oil problems.

The early leaders in the Vintageant Category are New Zealander Brice Washington and his son Harry in the 1929 Chrysler 75 Roadster, while leading the Classic Category is Italians Giorgio Schon and Pierre Tonetti in the 1971 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super.

Some cars have already retired including the two American LaFrances, whilst others are undergoing repair to get them back on the road for the remaining 32 days.

ERA Rally Director Fred Gallagher, said: “There’s a reason the Peking to Paris is called the toughest motor challenge in the World. Not only is the terrain challenging but the days long and the pace relentless. It’s a hard journey to Paris but the feeling when crossing the finish line will be well worth it.”

Billed as the world’s toughest endurance rally for classic and vintage cars, the competitors will cover around 8,510 miles (13,695kilometres) and 11 countries before reaching Paris on Sunday 17th July at around 1pm.

Those who survive Mongolia will travel into Russia’s Altai Republic on Thursday 23rd June.