The Intrepid Participants

Bearing in mind that this trip has been in the offing for approximately 7 years, the initial large group of enthusiasts has been whittled down to a core of seven cars and crews who are mad enough to undertake this adventure.

Saab 95 V4 wagon - Geoff Ridley and Graeme Matheson.  This whole event is Geoff's fault!!  He was the original instigator and enthuser who got all the others involved.  This possibly makes him the maddest of the group.

Saab 96 2 stroke - Graeme Sharp and Diane Brandish.  Exerienced touring campaigners who have spent numerous hours travelling in their 2 stroke, both here and overseas.  By the way, Diane is a fiendish Sudoku player.

Fiat 125 - Greg Paul and Darryl Narrain.  Greg drove overlander buses for years and is probably the most experienced overseas campaigner.  He also regularly participates in the Dunlop Targa so is used to undertaking running repairs on trips.

Fiat 125 - Geoff Genole and Dallas Rankine.  Not as much is known about this team so maybe they should be called the 'Secret Weapon'!  Geoff did participate very enthusiastically on the last Classic Marathon (2006).

Volkswagen Combi - Martin and Kerry Howman, Michael and Ngaire Wilkinson.  Extended family travelling together in what can only be described as as an initimate enclosure.  Apparently there's tents being taken as well to allow for space from each other.  This team also win the award for the most bodies in one vehicle.

Volvo 244 - Warren Burt and Ian Dickson.  Experienced rally participants, these guys are very relaxed about the whole expedition and are fully prepared to thoroughly enjoy themselves.

Ford Capri - Kevin and Sandra Lamb.  Experienced overseas adventurers.  Always on for another adventure.  We expect that this will be one of many outrageous adventures from this team.

Max and Merrilyn Clarke & Paul and Barbara Vercoe who were originally going to be part of the trip, are going to be meeting the participants in Beijing, waving them off and then travelling on the Trans-Siberian Express to have their own Peking to Paris adventure.  They will be joined in Paris by Ian Langham and Stephanie Royds who also originally were part of the group but who have decided that they'd much prefer to wave the New Zealand flag in Paris when the seven cars pull in.  Other people will be joining the Paris crowd, including Jenny Keightley and Ellen McCrae (who were never mad enough to say they'd drive it and are flying in).