| Answers: |
| Q: How do I get an entry? |
| Ensure the car complies with what the Committee are looking for, and that it will be in the right specification, and fill in the entry form – entries are by invitation, to get an invitation, apply for an information-pack. [top] |
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| Q: Are there particular cars that help me get an entry? |
| Yes. You need to come up with something that is practical, that means it comes with a chance of getting across Mongolia in terms of good ground clearance, good suspension travel, can run on 70 octane fuel, carry you and a friend with your kit and spares. [top] |
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| Q: Does the value of the car make a difference? |
| Not really… there is a tiny Peugeot and a baby Renault on the entry list in the Classic Category, it's not all expensive and rare pre-war cars, it's all sorts. [top] |
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| Q: What cars will be turned away then? |
| It is most unlikely you will get an entry with a 4x4 however old, although “grand-father” rights might be granted to a previous competitor, but the Committee are hoping to raise standards…and that means no commercial, trucks, estate cars or pick-ups. [top] |
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| Q: How bad are the route conditions? |
| Hard to say. Our route survey found a good, feasible course and then it changed totally with one of the hardest winters, and we ended up driving the far side of the Moon because things had changed totally, and the rivers were running deeper than on our route survey, and we had a bad sand-storm which we never encountered in a month of checking out a course…so, things change a lot in Mongolia, you need to plan for the worst as a few kilometres of severe rough going can cause a lot of damage if the car is not properly prepared by someone who knows what they are doing.
You need to read the book of the 2007 event, published by Veloce and linked from our home page, and study what happened to each entrant – every car and their problems are listed. [top] |
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| Q: Who can prepare my car? |
| Thorough car preparation by a workshop that knows the technical challenge of driving a car from Peking to Paris through some of the most difficult conditions in the world is essential. We do not generally endorse individual businesses but a specialist preparer located close to Rally Office that has previous Peking to Paris and extensive rally preparation experience is Rally Preparation Services run by Simon Ayris. Simon has the knowledge and experience to build a car capable of taking on the Peking to Paris Challenge. [top] |
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| Q: What was the most common problem on the 2007 event? |
| Fuel, lack of good filters, inability to run in high temperatures, silly things went wrong quite often with the modern technology ad-ons, we do some notes to help a workshop get to grips with the preparations, as it’s the little things that often become the most time consuming. Several cars had back axle failures, and lots of cars broke springs. [top] |
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| Q: What car was the most reliable, the most trouble free? |
| Hard to say, but probably the Rolls Royce Silver Ghosts – not the fastest, but we never saw one of those on the back of a truck, they rolled in every night and we don’t recall an owner getting underneath… a few cars completed the course only needed oil and water checks. They were the ones carefully prepared… it can be done. [top] |
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| Q: Are their any entry limits for each Vehicle Category? |
| Yes. The last event was heavily oversubscribed, so we hope to put a cap on the number of Classic Cars at 20, with 20 in the Pioneer Category, in order to give maximum flavour for the pre-war Vintageant Category. We expect to take fewer cars on the next event, with an overall limit of 120. It’s best you run past your car options with the Rally Office before sending in an entry. [top] |
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| Q: The camping sounds a hassle, can I sleep in my car? |
| You won't sleep as well in your car as in a tent. We don’t tell you what to do or how to do it…. in 2007 the camping facilities were very good, and exceeded everyone’s expectations. We recommend you get a new, pop-up modern tent, a two man job that costs around £25, and you can give it away after you leave Mongolia, maybe. Be sure to practice folding the tent before you go. Add a sleeping bag, self inflating mattress and a soft pillow for a comfortable nights sleep.
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| Q: Do you provide vehicle shipping advice? |
| Yes. It's best if we all use the same agent, the docks are vast and our agents first problem is getting all the containers into one place. The containers are then carried into central Beijing. A lot of work went into all the logistics, our team are well experienced so you get plenty of advice… if this is followed, it works well. You don’t have to use our system, but to get to the start line, and be on the rally, does require you to first of all to get your car to China, so, we provide you with sound advice. [top] |
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| Q: What about medical matters? |
| Nearer the time we ask you to complete a confidential questionaire the is passed in a sealed envelope to our senior rally doctor so he has a file on every single person on the event. We have several medical crews, along with mobile workshops this is part of the back up to ensure you have some peace of mind. [top] |
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| Q: Is there a competitor age limit? |
| You can not get a Chinese driving licence if you are over 70. It helps greatly if both crew members can drive, those who brought along a companion who can't drive a vintage car were at a real disadvantage when things got difficult, or, went wrong… but it's down to you. Remember, we are organising a timed competition. There are results produced every day, and awards at the end of it all. [top] |
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| Q: Can I insure against illness or accident that might prevent me taking part? |
| Yes. We will have details of this which can be taken out nearer the time. [top] |
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| Q: Who can help with visas? |
| We have an excellent team who have a good track record – we provide you with advice and arrange visas for most nationalities. It is essential that you have six months life left on your passport AFTER the finish date of the rally, and that a single passport is used for the duration of the event. Advance details given to each border must be consistent. Often car registration numbers are written into passports, so you can't cross into a country using one passport, and leave using another. The paperwork burden is immense, so your help here can smooth the way for all of us. Your compliance with our administration requests on paperwork is essential as a problem with a single competitor can affect the whole event. [top] |
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| Q: Can I change crew members during the event? |
| If someone falls ill or there are problems with a crew member before the event, you can nominate someone else up to a certain deadline. Once the event starts, there are no change over points, the crew has to be maintained for the full distance. There is no touring class, everyone is regarded as a Competitor. [top] |
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| Q: Who do I talk to for help in my preparations? |
| Best to phone us mornings, or, better still, email us and you then get a written answer. Car preparation matters to mail@endurorally.com or paperwork and other issues to admin@endurorally.com or phone us at the Rally Office, 01235 831221, we are here to help you…getting to the start line can be almost as tricky as driving the route, and good planning and preparation can’t start early enough. [top] |
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