Peking to Paris 2024 is a slideshow in book form. And it will certainly whet your appetite for epic adventures in classic cars.
Belgian Patrick Debusseré got the Paris to Peking bug after driving his 1933 Dodge Roadster, affectionately nicknamed ‘Polly’, in the Hero-Era-organised marathon of 2019. That was his first attempt. Ever since, Debusseré’s interest in what only can be described as one of the world’s greatest automotive adventures has kept on growing. He has a fascination for Luigi Barzini’s original 1907 report of the inaugural race, owning a copy in each of languages it was produced. Moreover, Debusseré took up writing and published a first book on the 2019 Paris to Peking himself.
Now, he’s done it again, with a book celebrating last year’s Peking to Paris. Debusseré, his navigator Lorenzo Bas and faithful Polly were eager participants at the start. Getting the rally organised was anything but easy, as the traditional route through Russia is compromised because of the war. Let’s not forget that last year was only the event’s eighth running since the first in 1907.
With over 14,000 km (8700 miles) to cover in 37 days, the Hero-Era crew opened up a new, more southern route through China and Mongolia, connecting to Kazakhstan. Covid crisis, war and reconnaissance meant the rally – originally planned for 2022 – had to be postponed to 2024. Participants of 26 nationalities entered cars ranging from the 1914 American LaFrance Type 10 to a 1975 Ford Fairlane, spread out over six classes.
Hero-Era not only has an impressive organisation, but also some very talented photographers in Will Broadhead and Francesco Rastrelli. Combined with pictures from the participants as well, Patrick Debusseré and his son Reinhard had some 10,500 images to choose from.
The result is a 414-page voyage through some of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable. Debusseré recounts the rally in an endearing style that echoes the words of Barzini, or his country’s most famous reporter, Tintin. Each crew gets his or her own page. Combined with Mathieu Damiens’ stylish lay-out, the Peking to Paris book does one thing very well: it makes you start looking for the entry form for the 2025 edition… Entering would no doubt be the automotive adventure of a lifetime; leafing through Peking to Paris 2024 on a winter’s eve in front of a nice fire is a fine second-best. Available directly from the publisher.
Author: Patrick Debusseré
ISBN: 97890834485102
Publisher: Debusseré BV
Pages: 414
Price: €159 ($165)
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