Peking to Paris Motor Challenge 2025 Support Column Moves Out

The first vehicular movement of the 2025 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge took place at the home of HERO-ERA, Bicester Heritage, on Tuesday 4^th February. Ten 4 x 4 Toyota Hilux support vehicles were loaded onto three huge transporters to begin their long journey to China to be ready for the start of P2P in Peking on 17^th May.

The movement is the signal for the start of the large Peking to Paris Motor Challenge logistics operation with the second phase beginning in another week. Then the actual competition vehicles will start their own voyage of discovery as they too head to Peking and then wait, stored in a big warehouse to be reunited with their crews after three months.

The initial support column of support vehicles forms the backbone of the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge structure – without them there would be no event. After weeks of thorough vehicle preparation by Dave Alcock and his team of technicians, the ten Toyota Hilux trucks will eventually provide transport for officials and technical support services on event.

The tough 4 x 4s are prepared for all types of terrain from bolder strewn rough mountain tracks to the deep sand of the desert. They must keep going when others fail as they will be crewed by technicians and loaded with tools and equipment ready to act as back up technical support services when competing cars are in dire need. Whilst many teams prepare and fettle their own rally cars which is a prerequisite of P2P, there are times when complete mechanical failure or even accident damage could prevent further participation. In come the P2P cavalry, nicknamed ‘Sweeps’, who rescue most and get crews and their cars back into the rally.  Many competitors are eternally grateful to the Mechanical Assistance Teams for their incredible work which has allowed them to cross the finish line in Paris when they initially thought it was all over!

The 4x 4s, which are now on their way, are not only platforms for mechanical assistance. They transport the Officials and Marshals – the lifeblood of the event, and have also proved lifesaving in the past, as the mobile platforms for the Medical Teams of Doctors and Medics.

To sum up the importance of the ten HERO-ERA support vehicles on the 2025 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, Guy Woodcock HERO-ERA Competition Director commented; “The support vehicles are our work horses, they must be tough reliable and in the right place at the right time! From technical assistance to time controls and vital medical support, our 4 x 4 Toyota Hilux are truly the backbone of the Peking to Paris Motor Challenge.”