The route map

A large parcel from the Endurance Rally Association met me on the door mat this morning. Enclosed was the map book and three route books taking us from the warehouse at Beijing to Paris. A bit of detailed prep to do now.

Philip Young sums it up well;
"You are on a journey of a lifetime. It will be hard, difficult and very challenging at times. Getting from Peking to Paris, over half way round the world, in a seriously old car, with the clock ticking against you every day, can never be considered easy.... there will be vast distances, what will look like impossibly long days, and much else to test hour inner resolve and single minded determination. After three years of preparation, The Challenge is now upon us all....."

I think that that just about sums it up. Very excited now and just a tad nervous!

RHC

Sent from my iPhone

Iran

James and I are now booked in for our Iranian visa’s on Friday 13^th August. All very exciting!

 

RHC

Lunch

A very pleasant lunch at Rules with Tim Wilkinson (car 24, Buick 24x Phaeton) and Mark Seymour (car 18, Model A Ford). Very reassuring to share our mechanical tribulations and general excitement. Tim seems to have had as many problems with overheating and blown head gaskets as we have had with our pistons. We all agree that a huge weight was lifted when the cars eventually left and there was nothing more to be done. Tim is tracking the ship which has just crossed the Bay of Biscay. We’re all getting very excited!

 

Dinner with Alice, Caron and James at Bibendum which was very jolly, just like old times. I’m sure that the girls will look after each other when the boys are away. We’re very fortunate to have such patient and beautiful wives.

 

RHC

Grandma's footsteps.

Do you remember that game ' Grandma's footsteps' ? The game where you creep up on someone and you must stay absolutely still if they turn round to look at you. 

I feel exactly like that at the moment as we wait for visa news from Scott and as we await news of the car's arrival in Beijing. What if we are caught moving when we shouldn't be. 

Am starting to get a feeling of real excitement at the challenge to come. Nothing but possibilities seems to stretch in front of us and by possibilities I mean everything from rabid dogs to Russians with guns. Crazed Yaks and their milk to organised Mongolian gambling syndicates. Uzbekistan idealogues to Grecian gift bearers. Presumably there are more - much more. Actually I imagine that 

the expression "the possibilities are endless" must have come from the original travellers in 1907 . 

James

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The phoney war!

The car has gone to Peking and despite all our last minute worries about her there’s nothing more that we can do until we meet again on 8^th September. Ever the optimist I am convinced that she won’t let us down (everything crossed!!!).

 

It’s now time to worry about what we might have forgotten. I did  suddenly think last week that I didn’t have any spare whitworth thread nuts and bolts and I’m sure that you cannot find them in the middle of Mongolia (or anywhere else for that matter!). I also thought that we should have a small amount of camping kit.......just in case!

 

The biggest issue that we now face is visa’s. Travcour have done a sterling job in the face of constantly changing requirements. Iran is the biggy for which we need to spend a day in and around the embassy and hand over our finger prints. I was offered the opportunity to go last Thursday or Friday but sadly couldn’t make it. All the other visa’s appear to be going relatively smoothly and no need for us to attend in person.

 

To have rabies vaccination or not, that is the current question. I must make up my mind this week, it doesn’t sound very nice but then neither does getting bitten by some mangy dog in the back of beyond.

 

Otherwise all in good shape.

 

RHC

FW: Emailing: Peking to Paris 014

The old girl leaving Roy's! See you in Peking.

 

RHC

Wow - is it really happening !

 So the car is bobbing her way to China across the oceans - Well done to Richard and to Roy. At least those tickets to Beijing can be used now. Actually they were bought so long ago they have probably been time lapsed. 

Having driven the car last weekend and been reminded quite how different it is to anything on the road today - Can't wait to drive 500km on a gravel road with no sign posting, no BP petrol station, no mobile phone signal but just the ability to take a comfort break when and where i like ! 

I liked the photo of Coco in the car - suits her Sir.

Okay so all the preparation is now over and it is time for the excitement to build as we plough on through the hideously laborious visa business. Having read a few books on the subject of international rallies i am persuaded that heavy use of dollars will help. 

Talking of dollars I was in new york last week where it too was 32c in horribly humid conditions - The people I met were fascinating in their response to my telling them about this epic rally. Such things as : How long will it take about 9 days ? 

       Are you taking security guards with you.

        Is that something I can do ? 

Anyway it feels like it's 32c in London tonight and with just over a month to go before we embark on Air whatever it is I sit in my little garden pondering deep, spiritual matters such as will this trip change me for ever. Let's wait and see. 

JC 

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Message from Mallorca

Well it’s 32C here and we are just packing up to go sailing for the afternoon. A bit of sailing, a bit of snorkelling and a banana boat – something for everyone!

 

Roy has dropped the car off with the agents meeting Nigel Gambier and Hugo Upton, another Lagonda team who have faced enormous challenges but overcome them in the last week. I’m hoping that these early challenges for team Lagonda will prove to be all that we face, but somewhere in the pit of my stomach I don’t believe this will be the case. At least both cars are on the boat. We can now relax until the 8^th September when we meet the old girl again.

 

RHC

The car has gone!

A big day today. Coco and I took the car over to Roman Garage to leave it with Roy. He is going to do some final fettling and then take it tomorrow to CarsUK for shipping. The container leaves on Friday. A historic and slightly momentous moment. We are now firmly committed to starting the rally and with Roy’s hard work and my determination we will see you in Paris on Oct 16^th.

 

A few small issues to resolve (burning too much oil, Monit still not working, odd squeaks and tapping noises) but all in all we have a runner, thanks entirely to Roy’s utter commitment. Without him we simply wouldn’t be on the boat.

 

RHC

Packing

The car is packed!

 

Back to Roy tomorrow and then shipping off to CarsUK. This does seem to be it.!

 

RHC

james gets behind the wheel!

James hasn’t driven the car for months. Everytime he has hoped to I’ve managed to blow it up. Anyway on Saturday e came up first thing to drop off his camping kit which consisted of a £380 sleeping bag and a mattress. I shall laugh if he gets cold and be furious if I do!

 

I good run to Bourne and Spalding, Bourne again and home for a beer. Everything went very smoothly and unusually James accepted that he had to take it very gently. Coming up in an Aston Martin DBS and swapping to a 1934 lagonda M45 being run in is quite a come down in performance terms!

 

Off to maidwell Sports day in the afternoon so I cannot put any more miles on the clock today.

 

RHC

Miles and miles and miles!

A very gentle meander over to Roy’s to get the boot fixed. The boys have fitted some brackets to hold the mud guards (compulsary) but sadly the boot doesn’t open. Since I’ve got to pack the car this weekend I need to be able to open the boot! 45 minutes with a grinder and we are sorted.

 

Then off to Kings Lyn, Ely, Wisbeach and home a round trip of some 200 miles. No problems’ apart from using a lots of oil. I assume that it is because its running in oil. Anyway more miles on the clock and no real problems. Drfiving at 45 miles per hour for hour after hour is very, very boring!

 

We might just get to Beijing at this rate. Not fully run in but we are getting there.

 

RHC

Thursday 8th July - collect the Lagonda

Roy drives the car over to Burrough. It is running fine, smoking a bit because he has put some two stroke in the petrol to lubricate everything. We are also running it on “running in oil” which is almost like 3 in 1! There seems to be quite a lot of oil coming out from the exhaust manifold but Roy is very relaxed about that. I drove him back to Grantham and then back to Burrough, 150km round trip. She’s running like a dream.

 

Do you remember the old days “Running in please pass”. That’s me! Trotting along at no more than 1500rpm and 45 miles per hour, I am every motorists nightmare. Forget the caravan’s the last thing you want to be behind is a 75 year old car which is being run in.

 

She’s all liveried up and ready to go. Now to put some very gentle miles on her.

 

RHC

We have a runner again!

 

From: roy

To: Richard Cunningham

Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2010 8:26 PM

Subject: Re: P2P

 

Dear Richard,

The car is now running and I have been down the road in it and it runs fine.  I am leaving it overnight to cool down and I can then re-torque the cylinder head then re-set the tappets and then take it for a good run.   The only slight concern is that it is now smoking rather more than I would like!   The piston clearances are well over the normal now, I removed the oil control ring tensioner, it is using running in oil and I have put a litre of two stroke oil in the petrol all of which would make it smoke but at least we know plenty of oil is getting round!   I am hoping this will improve as the engine beds in.   If it does not you will just have to top up the oil when necessary.

 

Best regards

Roy

Update

From: "roy" <roygibsonivylodge@btinternet.com>
Date: 6 July 2010 22:36:11 GMT+01:00
To: "Richard Cunningham" <richard@slybacon.biz>
Subject: P2P

Richard,

To keep you up to speed.  The mudflaps are done and it already has a laminated windscreen.   Bottom end of engine complete, sump gaurd re-fitted and cylinder head back on.  We should have the old girl back to health by tomorrow evening and of course I will let you know.

Best regards

Roy

FW: Complex Paris Hotel Bookings!

Only the French would think that not having seen Alice for 40 days and 40 nights that upon arrival in Paris I would want to snuggle up to James and Caron. I will have tolerated James’ snoring for 40 nights and certainly upon arrival in Paris have no intention of putting up with another night. I’m sure that Alice will be praying that it isn’t contagious! Hilarious!

 

RHC

From: Richard Cunningham [mailto:richard@slybacon.biz]
Sent: 06 July 2010 14:22
To: 'Dupuy, Laure (IHG)'
Cc: 'James Chancellor'; 'Alice Cunningham'; 'caronchancellor29@hotmail.com'
Subject: RE: Booking for the end of the Peking to Paris Rally

 

Laure,

 

I think that you have misunderstood.

 

Mr Chancellor has reserved two rooms (one double, one twin)

Mr Cunningham has reserved three rooms (one double, one twin, one single.). You confirmed this reservation by letter dated May 7^th 2010

 

Both reservations are for Friday 15^th and Saturday 16^th (only Mrs Chancellor and Mrs Cunningham and their children will be staying at the hotel on Friday 15^th. They will be joined by Mr Cunningham and Mr Chancellor on Saturday 16^th)

 

The Rally will pay for one twin reservation for Saturday 16^th. Please book this as one of Mr Chancellors reservations. Mr Chancellor will therefore pay for his two rooms for one night and one room for one night. The Rally will pay for one room for one night. Mr Cunningham will pay for three rooms for two nights.

 

I hope that this is clear. I will not be sleeping with Mr and Mrs Chancellor. I will be sleeping with my wife.

 

Regards

Richard Cunningham

 

From: Dupuy, Laure (IHG) [mailto:laure.dupuy@ihg.com]
Sent: 06 July 2010 10:00
To: Richard Cunningham
Cc: James Chancellor; Alice Cunningham; caronchancellor29@hotmail.com
Subject: RE: Booking for the end of the Peking to Paris Rally

 

Dear Mr Cunningham,

 

I contact you as I received the List of participants for the Rallye and I have a question.

 

As you know the Rallye Association will pay for one room on the 16th of October, this room should be occupied by the 2 pilotes ( you and Mr Chancellor ). As I understand, you and your co-pilote want to share the room with his wife so one of you will pay for his room so could you please tell me which reservation I should block under the Rallye Association room block.

 

As soon as I have the information I will send you the new booking confirmation.

 

Thank you

 

Kind regards

 

Laure

 

Skid plates

The skid plate has been fitted under the sump guard so that if we hit something hopefully the skid plate will propel the car onto the object rather than without it, simply remove the sump. Without a sump we simply grind to a stop so it’s quite important to protect it if possible. It has been very well made. I just worry that there is enough ventilation and we might have heat problems. We shall see! Another worry to contend with.

 

RHC

New undercarriage

New exhaust, low profile, flexible and made of steel so that it can be welded! The primary fuel tank has also had a shield fitted with foam insert, protecting it from stones flying up and puncturing it. Let’s hope the vibration doesn’t split it. I am taking some spare fuel hose and if we can only run on the new tank then we have enough to replumb.

 

RHC

Monday morning update

Well at least Roy is sounding chipper! One gudgeon pin needs replacing and of course needs machining before it can be fitted so he is waiting on its return. Other than the last remaining piston the engine is ready to go back together. The guy who machined the cylinders seems to have taken responsibility for too tight a tolerance. He has abandoned his holiday to get the engine sorted out which was very nice of him. That’s the East Midlands for you (provided you don’t go too far west into Lincolnshire and then you may never be seen again – remember Deliverance?).

 

Roy’s going to run the car in for a couple of hundred miles and then tighten the cylinder head again. I will then give her a few more miles and fingers, in fact everything, crossed we will be able to get her to Suffolk for shipping by Thursday 15^th July.

 

RHC

Car update!

I have been very nervous since the engine seized last week. I cannot believe that so close to the deadline we can have had such a disaster. I don’t sleep and feel sick all the time! Most unlike me to get so worried but after all the work we have done and money spent it is just inconceivable that we won’t be going on the rally.

 

Roy got the engine apart on Thursday night and to his eternal credit has worked all weekend to get the car fixed. All six pistons had seized and he feels that the tolerances he used were just too fine. The six new pistons arrived on Saturday morning when he started work at 07.30am with the guy who bored out the cylinders. The cylinders are fine which is a relief.

 

Roy was at the garage most of today (Sunday) and has fitted 5 of the cylinders. Sadly one of the gudgeon pins is too badly damaged and the replacement needs machining which cannot be done until tomorrow morning. The machinist is booked for 08.00am tomorrow.

 

All in all, in dire circumstances, we are making progress. I will clear the diary to run the car in as soon as its ready. I’ll be driving through the night if necessary, or round and round Roman garage in case anything goes wrong.

 

Still very worried but to his eternal credit Roy is cracking on.

 

RHC

DISASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having rebuilt the engine some weeks ago, run it in for a few 100 miles, we completed a fantastic job on protecting the underside and a new, flexible, low profile exhaust system. I went to collect the car yesterday feeling very confident. Collected all the outstanding spares and ran through the maintenance schedule. The car looked and sounded perfect. I got 6 miles before grinding the a halt! 6 MILES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Back to the garage, Roy ashen and me trying my hardest not to start to panic/ get cross. Engine in pieces once again – still haven’t heard what the problem is.

 

All is not well and we have so little time. I might be air shipping it!

 

RHC