2010 Peking to Paris Rally

After being back from the 10,000 mile – Peking to Paris Motor Challenge Rally for 2 ½ months it’s interesting to reflect on how it has changed my life. It was such an intense and great experience and I feel very fortunate that I was able to experience such an adventure. So many cultures, sights, sounds and perspectives of our world. These have all made it difficult to step back in the world as I know it here in Iowa. At first I could not stop thinking about the trip and the daily routines we... (more...)

Thanks to Tom Perry and the Des Moines Register for the wonderful article about Fritz and Lang’s Peking to Paris adventure in Sunday’s paper.  Following is a little teaser for the article.  Fritz James and Lang Wightman have been warned about this road trip. Rabid dogs are a possibility in Mongolia. Poisonous snakes and spiders might await. Much of the terrain will be cruel and hostile. Mindful of lurking dangers, James and Wightman plan to leave Des Moines on Friday for China to compete... (more...)

Peking to Paris 1907 (www.pekingparis.com) The original Peking-Paris rally was in 1907.  There were just a few cars and fewer roads.  The story goes that crews used silver bars for currency.  They would shave off sections of bars to pay for food, gas and repairs!  The 60’s Jack Lemon – Tony Curtis movie “The Great Race” was as loosely based on this event. The rally was not run again until 1997.  The 1997 event was so successful that the organizers ran it again in 2007 to celebrate... (more...)

This morning I had the wonderful opportunity to listen in as Fritz and Lang were interviewed by Tom Perry with the Des Moines Register.  Tom dug deep with questions about how Fritz and Lang became friends, possible hostile areas on the route, and safety precautions they planned to take while traveling.  I’ll let you know when the article is published. Lang and Fritz with Tom Perry with the Des Moines Register  (more...)

For the past two years, Fritz and Lang have been preparing their car and themselves for the 2010 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge.  Ready or not – it’s time for their 1929 Ford Model A to start its journey over to China.  In this video Fritz and Lang take one last look at their car, highlighting some of the improvements made for the rally.  First stop Long Beach California!  (more...)