Ninety-six vintage and classic cars set off from the Great Wall of China in the Peking to Paris Vintage Car Challenge -- a race spanning more than 12,000 km.
SHOWS: BEIJING, CHINA (MAY 28, 2013)
1. VINTAGE CARS IN PARKING LOT
2. VARIOUS OF MAN TALKING TO JEEP DRIVER
3. VARIOUS OF BENTLEY DRIVER DANIEL WOODCOCK CLEANING VINTAGE BENTLEY
4. BENTLEY DRIVER, TONY WOODCOCK CHATTING WITH MAN
5. TONY WOODCOCK ADJUSTING MIRROR
6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) BENTLEY DRIVER, DANIEL WOODCOCK SAYING:
"Well, the rally really was for my dad. He decided he was going to do it a couple of years ago. He was then sadly diagnosed with cancer and passed away last September. So then my brother and I decided that we would do it for him and his memory and carry on his dream and hopefully turn up to Paris. And I'm sure he'll be looking over us at some point."
7. VARIOUS OF VOLVO DRIVER ALLISON COTES CLEANING VOLVO
8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) VOLVO DRIVER, ALLISON COTES SAYING:
"It's a challenge. You are pitting yourself against difficult roads, problems with the cars, long hours driving, and you have to make sure you can get to the end safely and in one piece, with you and your car in good health."
9. DRAGON DANCE CEREMONY FOR BEGINNING OF RACE
10. DRIVERS SITTING IN CAR
11. PEOPLE TAKING PHOTOS OF CEREMONY
12. DRIVER'S REFLECTION IN CAR'S SIDE MIRROR
13. DRIVERS IN CAR PREPARING TO START
14. CAR LEAVING STARTING POINT
15. CARS LEAVING STARTING POINT
16. PEOPLE WATCHING AND TAKING PHOTOS
17. CAR LEAVING STARTING POINT
18. CARS DRIVING BY
19. PEOPLE TAKING PHOTOS OF CARS PASSING
20. CAR LEAVING STARTING POINT
21. CARS DRIVING BY
STORY: The Peking to Paris Vintage Car Challenge kicked off at the Great Wall of China on Tuesday (May 28) with 96 cars participating in the race.
The vintage cars will drive through two continents, lasting a total of 33-days in a journey spanning over 12,000 km.
Aside from glory, those first across the finish line are promised a magnum of champagne, race organisers said.
Drivers made final adjustments to their prized possessions on Tuesday morning for the long journey ahead.
Daniel Woodcock, who drives a classic Bentley with his brother Tony, said that he entered the rally for his father.
"Well, the rally really was for my dad. He decided he was gonna do it a couple of years ago. He was then sadly diagnosed with cancer and passed away last September. So then my brother and I decided that we would do it for him and his memory and carry on his dream and hopefully turn up to Paris and I'm sure he'll be looking over us at some point," said Woodcock.
Volvo driver, Allison Cotes, explained the challenges the drivers will face.
"It's a challenge. You are pitting yourself against difficult roads, problems with the cars, long hours driving, and you have to make sure you can get to the end safely and in one piece, with you and your car in good health," she said.
As the flag fell marking the start of the race, drivers tooted their horns and drove past spectators who grabbed a final chance to photograph the vintage vehicles.
The race's official website said the first Challenge was held in 1907 and the route is said to be the longest and toughest race for classic and vintage cars.
