Nov
11
Oct
22
October 21st, 2011 : The Start of La Carrera Panamericana – sponsored by Frederique Constant!
October 21st, 2011, Huatulco, Mexico
By being the Official Timekeeper of La Carrera Panamericana, Frederique Constant reinforces its involvement in classic and vintage car events around the globe. Passion is the key requirement for taking part in this legendary event.
Oct
16
Almost home… Day 36 Aix les Bains to Troyes
OCTOBER 15TH, 2010
Peking to Paris Motor Challenge update. More about the race here
Rudi Friedrichs and Lennox McNeely – Alvis Speed 20
Paris is just a few more miles away and the bar in the Hotel Mercure in Troyes is once again buzzing after another great day on the road.
The route for the final full day of Peking to Paris 2010 left Aix-les-Bains along the shores of Lac du Bourget before striking north into the hills of the Bugey through classic rallying terrain en-route to the Circuit de Bresse for the day’s only Time Trial.
Watched over by enthusiastic local spectators, competitors enjoyed a 2-lap test around this great circuit. To add a little spice to the competition William Medclaf and Rudi Friedrichs entered into a private wager over who would take best time… with a bottle of champagne at stake for the winner. Results will be announced tomorrow evening but the rumour is that they were separated by hundreths of a second.
After the circuit, crews enjoyed a relaxed run on fast-flowing, traffic free roads basking in the glow of the late afternoon autumn sunshine. Many arrived into Troyes after dark having spent a couple or hours exploring the fine collection of cars and historic airplanes at the Chateau de Savigny, site of one of the day’s Passage controls. Others wiled away a few hours over a leisurely 7-course lunch…..
With all crews now within striking distance of Paris, there is a mood of eager anticipation tonight ahead of tomorrow’s arrival in Place Vendome from 1pm. As the Official Timekeeper of Peking to Paris, we will be welcoming the brave and passionate participants of this historic rally in the pop-up Frederique Constant VIP Area on Place Vendome. This promises to be a unique experience! In the evening, together with our guests we attend the exclusive Peking to Paris Gala dinner at the InterContinental Paris-Le Grand.
Live your Passion!
Oct
10
Istanbul… Crossing into Europe… Day 31 Abant Lake to Istanbul
OCTOBER 10TH, 2010
Peking to Paris Motor Challenge update. More about the race here
Turkish Dancers at the Klasik Otomobil Club reception
We crossed the Bosphorous today, the bridge is regarded as the link where Europe meets Asia, and we have arrived a most comfortable hotel overlooking a blue sea at Silivri.
Every day brings us nearer to Paris and the fact that we are now in Europe brings home the remarkable effort that each and every crew has had to put in to get this far.
It has proved an easy run for most, and crews have spent the afternoon fettling cars and catching up on the laundry. Even Tim Scott made light work of today, riding his FN motorcycle. David Ingleby spent the afternoon at work in the sunshine soldering up bits of the 1914 electrics.
Craig and Nicky Marshall in Car 69, in their Dodge Coupe, are nursing a cracked piston, having experienced a remarkable engine overhaul by a local garage owner who was able to replace a bent valve – fortunately they were carrying a spare – while entertaining the couple in their home… without a word of English being spoken.
Craig and Nicky Marshall – Dodge Coupe
We have now had a chance to talk to Dave and Karen Ayre and more details have emerged on their accident the other day when the 1907 Itala spun on a wet road, damaging the front axle and bending the steering rods. No wheel came off and the car was repaired with the help of the Japanese television crew accompanying the event. The car is now back in the event.
Gerry Crown, relaxing in the hotel’s coffee-shop, is feeling pleased with the progress of his Holden, he took a relaxed view of the testing Time Trials which have been organised with the help of Turkey’s national motor-sport Federation. With a commanding lead and everything to lose in the Classic division, he decided on a softly-softly tactic and stroked the big Holden round the mountains content that the risk-taking was now over. Interestingly, all three of yesterday’s Time Trials were dominated by cars in the pre-1941 Vintageant Category.
To mark our final day in Turkey we have been entertained at a cocktail party organised by the Turkish Classic Automobile Club.
Oct
08
The Longest Day… Day 29 Erzurum to Kozakli
OCTOBER 8TH, 2010
Peking to Paris Motor Challenge update. More about the race here
