A little background...

This blog captures the adventures of John and Brett Layzell as they drive their 1970 Volkswagen Beetle/Bug from Beijing (Peking), China to Paris, France in May and June, 2013.

In his 1964 book “The Mad Motorists”, Allen Andrews chronicles the adventures and challenges of a handful of motorists as they raced from Peking to Paris in 1907, in their relatively new fangled contraptions, motorcars. Of the five vehicles that started, against all odds, four finished and the race was won by Prince Borghese in his Itala motor car.

  

Written at the time of the height of the power of the Soviet Union and Chairman Mao in the People’s Republic of China, “The Mad Motorists” concludes with the observation that never again would a competitive drive from Peking to Paris be possible.

The fall of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the USSR brought sweeping changes, and, in 1997, on the 90th anniversary of the original race, the Peking to Paris Rally was inaugurated by The Endurance Rally Association (ERA).

John closely followed the daily reports on the 1997, 2007, and 2010 events and remained fascinated with the challenges the participants faced, mechanically, physically, and emotionally.

Previous reports here: 

www.endurorally.com/pages/peking-to-paris-motor-challenge-2013-previous-events 

Those reports of collapsed radiator mounts, failed water pumps, rocks through radiators, and ruptured cooling hoses in the Gobi Desert convinced John that the ideal vehicle for such an undertaking would be an air-cooled Volkswagen Beetle, a car John and lifelong pal Andrew Cocker had successfully built and campaigned in competitive Autocross in early 1970s Britain. 

Each time John shared the rally events with Celia, his bride of 30 years (an endurance "rally" on her part), she clearly sensed his passion and excitement about the whole event, although never followed or really fully comprehended the magnitude of the experience.

In September 2010, while following that year’s Peking to Paris rally event, John met legendary coach,  New Zealander Bruce Wilson, who asked John about his ’BHAG’ – Big Hairy Audacious Goal. After John explained, Bruce simply asked, “So what’s stopping you from doing it?”  Bruce patiently listened to a dozen or so well crafted, logical and reasoned excuses, and eloquently replied,  “That’s all bullshit, John – just <expletive> do it!”

And so, from September 2010 until the deadline for early registration in February 2012 for the 2013 event, there was a constant “I’m doing it!”  Cold feet – “I’m not doing it! I’m doing it!” Cold feet again – “I’m not doing it!” etc, etc ….

Just a few days before the registration deadline, Celia gave John an ultimatum: “I have bad news for you!  You are not getting any younger!  Either make a decision and commitment to do it, or stop talking about it, period!” So with Celia’s support and blessings, and Bruce’s constant prodding, John finally committed to participate in the 2013 rally with son Brett as navigator/co-driver.