Kiwi drivers off in endurance rally

OISIN DUKE/Timaru Herald

ALL SET: Bruce Selbie and brother-in-law Graeme Smith show off the sparkling clean 1934 Rolls Royce 20/25, which will act as their wheels during the Peking to Paris Endurance Rally, which began yesterday.

Fifteen thousand kilometres, 37 days, 11 countries, one adventure.

Bruce Washington and Bruce Selbie are a part of two of the three New Zealand cars competing to the Peking to Paris endurance car race, which got underway yesterday.

After 12 months of frantic restoration, a complete rebuild, shipping and weight concerns, Washington's 1929 Chrysler Roadster nicknamed `The Red Baron' is all set to handle the harsh conditions of the rally.

Washington, formerly of Fairlie, who now lives in Western Australia, will have his son Ben navigating for him, while Selbie's brother-in-law Graeme Smith will co-drive with him in a 1934 Rolls Royce 20/25.

Despite spending "more money than I can count" restoring the Chrysler, it took Washington only five minutes to say "yes" to the adventure.

Having purchased two identical 1929 Chrysler Roadsters, he knew he may as well get "value for money".

"I figured why did I need two pristine, immaculate cars, so I googled Chrysler 75 and up came this Peking to Paris race, so the penny dropped in my head.

"We've had 12 months (to get the car ready).

"It usually takes two years to do a full restoration.

"The night before it went in the container, there were seven people working on that car and there was 16 minutes to go (when it was finished). The paint was still wet. It's an endurance race and the endurance started 12 months ago."

Selbie said his main goal was to "get from one place to another safely".

"It's an adventure," Selbie said. "We"ll get to see things and meet people which we wouldn't get to see otherwise."

Washington said travelling up to 600km in a day would not faze him.

"I've been in Western Australia for 25 years and I think nothing of getting in a 26-tonne truck and driving 18 hours.

"I've driven the roads in the outback, which have similar conditions."

Washington said it would be great to share the experience with his son.

"We've been in really hot, hard, heavy situations before and got through.

"Besides, there's no room in the boot, so we'll have to get along.

"Back-to-back, we make a good team."

Both men expected it to be the ultimate boys' road trip.

Washington is also raising money for Parkinsons research.

People wanting to support the cause, or follow the team's progress can go to www.peking2paris4parkinsons.com

- © Fairfax NZ News