Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > 4 wheel Overland Travel
Cape Town to London Record Attempt Cape Town to London Record Attempt
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
4 wheel Overland Travel NON-technical 4 wheel forum, for subjects specific to TRAVEL with 4 (or more!) wheeled vehicles. e.g. Driving Techniques, Shipping etc.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Like Tree2Likes

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Dec 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
Cape Town to London Record Attempt
Two years ago, Max Adventure with a three-man team in an old Discovery, set off to beat a record that had stood since 1963 for the drive from London to Cape Town, they knocked whole days off the time.

Now the best-ever time (one thousand miles for ten days) is to be attempted in a tiny Fiat Panda, hoping to beat the 1983 Record, set up by the British Army, of 14 days from Cape Town to London.




Check out the preparations here: Fiat Panda World Record Attempt | Africa Record Run
The dynamic duo set off on Feb 1st.

http://www.facebook.com/AfricaWorldRecordRun
https://twitter.com/AfricaRecordRun
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
Newsflash! Veteran regional news broadcaster Fred Dineage is interviewing Philip Young and Paul Brace on the ITV Meridian network, which may or may not go across Southern England or just a bit of it, around 6.0pm. (18/1/13)


No excuses allowed for a spot of snow then… with the Fiat Dealer in Basingstoke also trekking to the Southampton studio to provide the essential prop – a white Panda to wheel before the cameras.

TV debut follows on from the half page in the Sunday Telegraph, and national BBC radio broadcasts. Meanwhile, the ship carrying the Panda is inching its way through high seas towards Southern Africa, but due to the winds cant dock at Cape Town. Problems, problems…and the planned border crossing that is all new - opening up a land-based frontier between north Sudan and southern Egypt - is now not opening in January, as was originally announced… the headaches continue.

Fiat Panda World Record Attempt | Africa Record Run

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 19 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
Here is the interview:
Cape Town to London - Africa Record Run. ITV interview - YouTube
The real car must be near South Africa by now.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 31 Jan 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
Just 17 hours to go.

Yesterday was spent unpacking, checking and cleaning the car.

After much heated debate it was decided to ditch more items, both personal and car spares in favour of weight and more space for sleeping.

This morning Philip and Paul have been on the Expresso Breakfast Show:
Cape Town to London: Africa Record Run | Presenter


For more go to Fiat Panda World Record Attempt | Africa Record Run
The YellowBrick tracker is now live on the car.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
They crossed into Zambia on the Kazungula ferry just a day after starting, having covered 2,400 km:

The Panda is performing magnificently.

Follow the Fiat Panda Yellowbrick Tracking Map | Africa Record Run
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 4 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15


3 days in, and they have crossed the equator, half-way across Kenya.

The road to Ethiopia is the very rough Marsabit road, which will really test the car today.

Fiat Panda World Record Attempt | Africa Record Run

Tracker map here: Follow the Fiat Panda Yellowbrick Tracking Map | Africa Record Run
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
They survived the Road from Hell with time to spare before the border opened.

The Panda Pair pulled into Moyale two hours sooner than the predicted 12 hrs. Philip texted: "Track ten times worse than last year. Car even surprised us, churning through deep sand with many troughs carved up by trucks". We also hear from Marsabit that the word on the street after they left was that they would never make it... They don't know Philip, Paul and the Panda.

They are now well into Ethiopia, and making much quicker progress.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 6 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15


They have had a very long and hard day in Ethiopia yesterday, where the roads were slower than expected and petrol very hard to find. After a long economy run, they reached the Sudanese border on empty.

They are now bouncing down the road in Sudan - the rear shock absorbers are clapped out.

The next border crossing is across water into Egypt. Turbo, the Egyptian fixer, is waiting at Abu Simbel equipped with a drum of 95 octane fuel.

Follow the Fiat Panda Yellowbrick Tracking Map | Africa Record Run
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 7 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15


They have successfully crossed from Wadi Halfa in Sudan to Abu Simbel in Egypt by barge - the first to use what should become the regular border crossing in future. It went so smoothly that they are now 3 hours ahead of schedule.

More here: News Reports and Updates | Africa Record Run


Follow the Fiat Panda Yellowbrick Tracking Map | Africa Record Run
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 8 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
That wasn't in the plan - they drove across some glass in Cairo, and collected 4 punctures!

After loosing some time buying new tyres, they are heading quickly toward the tricky Libyan border. Will they be let through?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 8 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
After three hours stationary on the Yellowbrick map, they are now on the move inside Libya - the story of the successful border crossing is here:
News Reports and Updates | Africa Record Run

Just 1500 kms to Tunisia, and then head for a ferry from Tunis.

Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 9 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
It took 18 hours across Libya, and they are now in Tunisia, and currently 300km from the ferry at Tunis. No waiting for dawn at that border.

The story of their trip across Libya is here:
News Reports and Updates | Africa Record Run

There is a Video Gallery on the web site with a piece about the Marsabit Road, and the Expresso interview:
Fiat Panda World Record Attempt | Africa Record Run
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
Problems with snow on the A3 in Italy caused them to be diverted to the east coast, and they are now ahead of schedule. The Panda is now in France.


Everyone is invited to Marble Arch – 5.30pm – Monday Feb 11th. Come and cheer Philip Young & Paul Brace when they drive their remarkable Fiat Panda under Marble Arch at the end of their epic 10,000 mile drive.

Keep checking the Latest News on the site for ETA updates.
Fiat Panda World Record Attempt | Africa Record Run
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15
At 16:05 they came out of the tunnel, and must be looking good for a 17:30 to 18:00 finish - taking a day off the record.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11 Feb 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 15


They made it!
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
London to Cape Town Jan 2013 by LC80 chongololo Travellers Seeking Travellers 3 25 Oct 2012 06:25

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:33.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top