However, this time the co-driver is Matthew Bryson, son of the legendary John Bryson. The 25 year old club rallyist has been given the chance of a lifetime because the Chinese will apparently not issue licences to foreigners over 71 years old. Â
Consequently Matthew will be driving the Buick for the sections across China with the car owner, Gerry Crown, navigating. The Buick was bought in Wagga Wagga two months ago and is being re-built by Triumph expert, Trevor Seaman, near Bathurst.
The event has three classes – Pre-1921, Pre-1941 and Pre-1961.
With the rules making Crown’s ever-reliable Holden EH ineligible John Bryson has managed to keep Holden in the picture as the Buick uses a Holden body.
Other Australians competing are marathon veterans Tim and Chris Clemons (1917 Packard twin six), Nicholas Bailey/Helena Edgill (1926 Bentley), Julie Fitzsimmons (1928 Chrysler 65), Barrie Frost/Lyne de Lacey (1928Â Chevrolet roadster), Michael and Anne Wilkinson (1951 Riley RMB), Mike and Andrew Mykytowych (1958 Holden FC), Gordon and Kim Ketelbey (1936 Cadillac), and Harry and Catherin Hickling (1938 MG SA).
The Ketelbeys have previously competed in two London to Sydney marathons in a Mustang
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Competitors will leave Beijing on May 27 next year to travel across China and Mongolia to Russia, thence through Latvia, Estonia, Poland and Germany to the finish in Paris on June 30.
The route essentially follows the route blazed by Prince Borghese when he won the first long distance rally ever in 1907.Â
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