Peking to Paris Motor Challenge 2025 — Completion Victory Celebration

The Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, a true benchmark in the world of rallying, has just completed its ninth edition. Starting from the Great Wall of China just north of Bejing (formally Peking) on May 17, the 55 adventurers arrived in Paris on June 22 at the Célestins barracks of the Republican Guard (18 Boulevard Henri IV, Paris 4th arrondissement).

This was not a 37 day trip for the feint hearted; it was a mammoth undertaking, with long days on hard roads. The route crossed 11 countries: China, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Georgia, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, and France. It included 10 border crossings, six nights in tents, and numerous challenging areas, including the Gobi Desert.

There were two Citroëns that participated in the 2025 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge; a 1973 DS20 driven by Daniel Spadini from Switzerland, with Scipione Dibello from the Netherlands serving as the navigator, (they finished the Challenge), and a 1955 Traction Avant 11 BN driven by Mario Illien from Switzerland, with his daughter Noele Illien serving as the navigator. They competed in the 2013 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge but were forced to retire this year due to electrical problems.

The 14,889-kilometer race, which had started in Beijing 37 days earlier and covered 14,889 kilometers, was won by Tony Sutton and Andrew Lawson in a 1939 Chevrolet Master Coupe.

At the start of the competition, the eventual winners led the standings, but they were quickly overtaken by rookies Jorge and Cristobal Perez Companc, an Argentinian father and son, in another Chevrolet Master Deluxe Coupe. Imposing in the red No. 20 car, they had built up a solid lead by the halfway point. Unfortunately, an engine fire forced them into a late check, earning them a 30-minute penalty. Their lead was such that they only dropped to third place, but their hopes of victory were dashed. Tony Rowe and Mark Delling, in a Ford Coupe, inherited the lead before engaging in a close duel with Sutton and Lawson, who continued to improve. Ultimately, the Australian duo avoided any mistakes and held the lead until Paris.

The Final Podium:

• 1st: Car No. 21 – Tony Sutton and Andrew Lawson – Chevrolet Master Coupé
• 2nd: Car No. 23 – Tony Rowe and Mark Delling – Ford Coupé 91A
• 3rd: Car No. 20 – Jorge and Cristobal Perez Companc – Chevrolet Master Coupé

Peugeot won the Classic category The suspense was total until the very end. Several crews took turns at the front: Gerd Bühler and Laurenz Feierabend in an orange Porsche 911, then Harold Goddijn and Corinne Vigreux in another 911. The latter lost their lead after errors approaching Europe. Steve Osborne and Rob Smith in a Ford Escort RS1600, as well as Australians Henderson and MacLennan in a Volvo 144 DL, were also in contention. Finally, Brian Palmer and David Bell took the lead on day 29 in Istanbul and held it until Paris.

Classic Podium:

• 1st: Car No. 61 – Brian Palmer and David Bell – Peugeot 504 Coupé
• 2nd: Car No. 75 – Harold Goddijn and Corinne Vigreux – Porsche 911
• 3rd: Car No. 65 – Steve Osborne and Robert Smith – Ford Escort RS1600

There were four competitors taking part this year who competed in 2024. One such individual is Tomas de Vargas Machuca, Chairman of HERO-ERA, who was lucky to escape injury last year when he and team-mate Ben Cussons had to leap from their 1914 Lafrance when it became engulfed in flames in Azerbaijan. Tomas returns in a 1926 Bentley, but this year he attempted the arduous journey solo, which makes him the first to achieve it alone in the history of the rally!

The smallest car on the rally (in fact the smallest car ever) was a Fiat 500 with the Minister of Tourism for the Republic of San Marino, Federico Pedini Amati, on-board as a crew member and promoting his country.  He was supported by desert expert Fabio Longo and P2P veteran and journalist Roberto Chiodi as the crew ran under the banner of the Republic of San Marino and in the spirit of 1907 winner Prince Scipione Borghese.

As always, this event attracts a pool of exceptional vehicles, with Australians Alan Maden and Leigh Maden having the honour of competing in the oldest vehicle in the field, a 1917 American LaFrance Type 12, a real behemoth of a machine with its 14.5 litre power plant. They were joined in the Pioneer class by the 1920 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost of Michael Power and Nigel Parsons. In total, 25 vehicles were entered into the pre-war class, accounting for nearly half of the field,

It has been 118 years since the first P2P in 1907. This most ambitious and one of the world’s toughest endurance challenges usually takes place every three years, but due the pandemic and further delays — took a 5-year hiatus from 2018 to 2024.

If you would like to participate in the 2028 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge from June 4 to July 16 and are prepared to part with £89,250, the application from can be found here: https://www.hero-era.com/media/tkvcbypu/p2p2028-application-form-full.pdf

Here is the proposed route;