Well P2P is officially over

Five weeks, Eight countries (and a micro-state), seven border crossings and fourteen-and-a-half-thousand-kilometres across deserts and mountains, from Asia to Europe across the biggest continuous land mass in the world.

At the awards ceremony we received our Silver medal. This is given to cars that start everyday and finish everyday at the authorised points. Gold medal winners do that and have made every test and regularity ( something we couldn’t do in the days the Mini was wounded) Bronze is given to those that started in Peking and got to Paris even if not always making every overnight stop. Some of these crews had the most amazing stamina to get cars like the 1925 Chilean taxi / 1968 Rolls Royce / Citroen DS to Paris

More amazingly we won against all odds award. I think in simple terms everyone loves a mini and loved that two tall guys did it in a mini

Officially we came 28 out of 75 that finished and 13 in our class ( <2500cc)

So it’s too soon to fully reflect on everything that has happened in the last 6 weeks

However everyone asks would we do it again. Right now I think not. I love rallying and I’m sure I’ll do more rally but P2P is big commitment in so many ways and wonder if it would have the same impact the second time ?

The Mini has been amazing. The amount of love shown to it everywhere by everyone is fabulous. Lots of people it was their first car / learnt to drive in one Others it’s the Italian Job / Mr Bean connection. Finally for some it’s the great little competition car in circuits and rallying from 60’s & 70’s

I’ve talked elsewhere about Stuart but it’s worth repeating that these long distances can test your patience and he had bucket loads. He didn’t even post some of my overtakes which I’m thankful for 😜

The HERO company which organised the event do a very complex job in very tough circumstances at times. The all have a smile when I’m sure they don’t always feel like that!

However the real hero’s of the rally are not the organisers but the Sweeps ( as the mechanics are called). They are first out the door to get up the road and prepare the check points etc. they are always the last ones in as they make sure all cars get help/ aren’t stranded. Something we were grateful for a number of times to ensure the Mini made it home each night ( especially In Kazakhstan )

I will finish with a big thank you to everyone who contributed to Julia’s house As I write you have given £13429 I pledge to match £ for £ but will give the Full £15k meaning we have raised £28429 as I write for this amazing charity. A Big Big Thank you

I’ll finish with a few of my favourite photos which really are about cars and people

Over and out ……..