British pair step closer to Cape Town to London driving record

07 February 2013

7 February 2013

British driving pair on track for Cape Town to London world record success

Political support keeping Fiat Panda ahead of world record time

Drivers set to arrive back in London on Monday 11 February

Britons Philip Young and Paul Brace came a step closer to world record glory early this morning after the Sudanese Government gave them special permission to become the first people ever to pass through the gates of a new land border opened up between Egypt and Sudan.

The pair are attempting to drive from Cape Town to London in just ten days in a Fiat Panda. They are well set to achieve this astonishing feat having now arrived in Egypt after setting off from Cape Town on Friday 1 February. If they make it back to London by the evening of Monday 11 February as planned they will have smashed the existing world record for the drive which presently stands at 11.5 days. That record was set by a team of three in a specialist Land Rover Discovery.

The Sudanese Government’s approval to make the new crossing was stamped literally on to the pair’s passports in the dark of night on the banks of the River Nile. Border officials then helped the pair load the Panda on to a military barge to cross Lake Nasser and into Egypt.

Lord David Steel helps pair become first people to use new Sudan-Egypt land crossing

The pair have been assisted by British parliamentarian Lord David Steel who helped the drivers obtain a special permit to use the new land crossing between Sudan and Egypt.

The speedy crossing means that the drivers are now ahead of schedule. If they manage to keep to the schedule, which involves driving across Libya and crossing the Mediterranean Sea from Tunis, the Fiat Panda will make a final triumphant procession up London’s Park Lane to a rapturous reception at Marble Arch at around 8pm on Monday 11 February.

The route will take the Fiat Panda from Egypt across Libya and into Tunisia. From Tunis they cross the Mediterranean to Sicily and onto Italy, before driving up through France to Boulogne where the car will board a cross-Channel train. They will then drive from Folkestone up the A20 to London.

Invitation to Marble Arch World Record Reception

A reception for the car and drivers is planned for the evening of Monday 11 February. Lord David Steel will be among those planning to come and greet Philip Young and Paul Brace as they drive into the record books.

***If you are planning to come to the event please contact Matt Whitticase (details below) on Monday afternoon when we will have a more accurate idea of the drivers’ ETA at Marble Arch.***

Pair’s major fundraising effort

The drivers are keen to leave a legacy for some of the communities of the countries they drive through. All money raised will benefit Farm Africa, a British charity tackling hunger in eastern Africa by supplying smallholder farmers with the skills and know-how to grow more food in challenging conditions. The drivers have already raised more than £10,000 for the charity with more pledged should they break the record. http://www.farmafrica.org/

More on driver Philip Young

Generally credited with having started off the historic rallying movement in the UK, closing Tower Bridge for the start of the first-ever international rally for classic cars, the Pirelli Classic Marathon.

Re-invented the Lombard Rally driving around the UK, exclusively for 1400cc cars with standard engines.

Organised the only timed event to lap the globe, the Around the World in 80 Days.

Opened up the border between Tibet and Nepal for the running of the Peking to Paris in 1997 and the border (Friendship Bridge), remains open to this day.

Started up the Monte Carlo Challenge - a regular winter event for classics that saw over 200 entries.

Currently runs the Flying Scotsman, Britains biggest event for vintage cars - three days from London to Edinburgh.Organised over 65 rallies.

Ends

Notes to Editor:

Further information is available via our earlier press release: http://www.farmafrica.org/media/media-centre

Images of the drivers and car en route are available on request.

More information on the record attempt and how to follow Philip and Paul’s progress, as well as the history of Cape Town to London rallying, is available here: http://www.africarecordrun.com/

For more information, and to arrange interviews with the drivers:

Farm Africa press office: Matt Whitticase, 020 7067 1237 / mattheww@farmafrica.org / 07515 788456

About Farm Africa

Farm Africa is a charity working with families in rural Africa, helping them to produce food more effectively. By providing training and support to help farmers improve the way they manage their crops, livestock, forests and access to water, we help families build a future free from hunger. For more information about Farm Africa please visit www.farmafrica.org