Romping home

A British couple are romping their way back to a Paris finish on this year’s Peking to Paris Challenge.

Londoners, Ricard Worts and Nicola Shackelton, are lying second overall in the classic category for pre 1961 model cars after 15 days and over 3,300 miles of motoring across China and the Mongolian desert. Their Jaguar Mk11 has suffered numerous trials and tribulations on the route which is described as the toughest in the world.

Worts, who in the 90s clocked up a number of British Rally Championship class victories behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsa GSi, said: “The final few days in Mongolia were a real trial for us and also the car - long days being pounded by the washboard surface of the rock strewn desert tracks. Our car suffered damage to the rear suspension and after crossing into Russian we spent four hours with the locals helping us rebuild the rear springs and mountings.”

“We are amazed as we are currently 2nd overall and 2nd in class just 30 minutes behind the leading car after over 3,000 miles. This is a tough event."

The duo faced sandstorms, horrendously pot holed roads and the language barrier had them drawing diagrams in the sand to show local mechanics what work was needed.

The event finishes in Paris in 16 days time. By then the crews, which have survived this ultimate test, will have covered a distance of 7,506 miles.