Peking-Paris 2007

For now, I lumped all the pre-war cars together, I would LOVE for there to be enough demand to split it into groups (hint...hint, post here about your pre-war Singer)
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Peter McKercher
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Post by Peter McKercher »

On Day 8 the Official correspondent for the races writes

"Another notable performance came from the tiny Singer Le Mans, with a time of 12.36 on the second Time Trial which is better than several Bentleys. It’s in the top ten when ever timing gets serious, which seems to suit the Dutchmen".

What a great endorsement!
Peter McKercher
Vice President - NASOC
Pre war Singer Specialist and Collector
Automotive Historian
Author of "Racing Roadsters"

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Paul Bouchard
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Post by Paul Bouchard »

Check out the video! A very nice compilation with the start of the race and a few choice photos.

This is really neat to check up. Wow, 15th overall and 10th for the day in their class. We got us a race!! The Peking to Paris site is great too for looking at the race. Use the ratings page to see the various legs and think of those poor cars that took 20+ hours to complete their leg...

Can there be another "Gold Medal" in the works for Singers??
Paul Bouchard

President, NASOC
Nine Roadster Registrar

1948 A Series Roadster
1947 Super Ten Saloon
1935 Le Mans Super Speed Model

Just enjoying the ride.
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pekingparis
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Post by pekingparis »

Now it;s getting harder for me...i really don't know the english words of some parts of the car but i will try it anyway :roll:

Johan calledthis afternoon:
They finished 6 hours to late. They broke their handlebar. An Mongolion is trying to fix it. Although they didnt have any faith in what he was doing they now think that he does nowit.
They drove 280 kilometers with a kind of strap(?) "spanband" in dutch :P but they finally arrived the camp. I Thought they also had to fix the dynamo.
On the 8th of june their are some parts for the steeringwheel arriving in Russia at the hotel.
It's very hot in the dessert and in 2 days they finnaly reaches russia, that's were the long sandroad ends.

so far the update, soon more on the site of the organisation
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Peter McKercher
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Post by Peter McKercher »

I assume by spanband you likely mean the drop arm or at least one of the steering links. A very nasty repair to have to make and difficult to weld. Good luck to the boys
Peter McKercher
Vice President - NASOC
Pre war Singer Specialist and Collector
Automotive Historian
Author of "Racing Roadsters"

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pekingparis
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Post by pekingparis »

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This is a "spanband"

And what i saw on another picture...it's the steeringshaft that is broken :roll:
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mikeyr
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Post by mikeyr »

pekingparis wrote:Now it;s getting harder for me...i really don't know the english words of some parts of the car but i will try it anyway :roll:
Your English is fine, we will figure out what you are saying.

Sorry to hear they broke down, but it appears it has only slowed them down and did not stop them, so again I say !

GO SINGER !
Mike Rambour. Site Administrator
1953 Singer 4ADT (sold), 1934 Singer 9 Le Mans, 1934 Singer 1 1/2 4-Seater Sports (sold), 2009 BMW K1300GT
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pekingparis
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Post by pekingparis »

I think they'll do anything to get to Paris :P
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Paul Bouchard
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Post by Paul Bouchard »

Singer folk are usually pretty creative when it comes to keeping their cars on the road and I am sure that our Dutch kinsmen are up to the challenge!

What a treat to have the technology to check out their progress. I can imagine in the first years of this race those interested would only receive updates long after individual legs were completed.

Drive on and good luck!
Paul Bouchard

President, NASOC
Nine Roadster Registrar

1948 A Series Roadster
1947 Super Ten Saloon
1935 Le Mans Super Speed Model

Just enjoying the ride.
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pekingparis
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Post by pekingparis »

They survived another day! :D
The car is still in one piece. They had 2 flat tires and de dynamo (is that an english word too?) isn't working like it should.
They saw a lot of dead horses on the way, it's 35C degrees, no gras only sand.....a lot of sand. Their lips are burned and hurting...they sound very tired :roll:
Their glad to leave Mongolia soon and enter Russia.

So far the update I had today.
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pekingparis
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Post by pekingparis »

They're driving in Russia. Yesterday the steering shaft broke again but they found a Mongolian who put it together again with a fired burner or what's it called. They arrived in time anyway.
They climbed in de ranging and still have a silver medal.
The singer is snorring like a kitten and feels very happy on the highways of Russia.
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mikeyr
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Post by mikeyr »

Awesome !

keep going, Silver is probably more than anyone expected that car to get and as long as you are in the running for Silver, Gold is only one award away.

Tell them to KEEP GOING !

GO SINGER!
Mike Rambour. Site Administrator
1953 Singer 4ADT (sold), 1934 Singer 9 Le Mans, 1934 Singer 1 1/2 4-Seater Sports (sold), 2009 BMW K1300GT
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pekingparis
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Post by pekingparis »

Today is another good day, they think that they can arrived at 1800 pm in Novosibirsk.
Then they have a resting-day. They need it after many days with 5 hours sleep a night.
Here a picture of the wheel and "spanband"
Image
I heard Johan kisses the car each time it's starting in the morning...he probably is falling in love :lol:
The roads are much better now and they're enjoying the landscapes that is each time very different.
On our website a lot of new picters under the button "nieuws" that in english means news :wink:
The organisation wanted to film the singer because of the strenght and endurance of the tiny car 8)
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mikeyr
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Post by mikeyr »

WOW !!!

Makes me want to take my laptop out to the garage and show my Le Mans what its sister car is doing, I bet even my Le Mans would be proud to have a Singer doing this and doing so well.

Tell them to get their rest, there is more racing ahead. The repair on the front end is amazing, not sure I would be willing to drive the car like that but they sure are and I am happy they are doing so well.

I had some doubts if the light chassis of the Le Mans would be able to finish a race as grueling as this one, no doubts anymore.

GO SINGER
Mike Rambour. Site Administrator
1953 Singer 4ADT (sold), 1934 Singer 9 Le Mans, 1934 Singer 1 1/2 4-Seater Sports (sold), 2009 BMW K1300GT
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pekingparis
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Post by pekingparis »

Now i know the right word! Our spanband is your luggage straps :P how simple it can be because we put them around our suitcases when we go by plane :lol:

Organisationsite:
The Singer Nine got here with broken steering, the car being steered by two luggage straps tied onto the front of the car, pull the left strap for a swing to the left, tug on the right one for right turns and despite the hectic traffic, umpteen traffic lights and roundabouts, the car made it in without incident and new steering is now being fitted. Resourcefulness and invention is clearly a major ingredient for success on the Peking to Paris.

and a day before this:
How are the under-dogs? The Flying Dutchmen of Wilhelmus Van Gemert and Johan de Swart slip down to 27th in their Singer Le Mans. This little black two seater with two tiny suitcases on the back continues to bounce from bump to bump but no longer beating Bentley’s in the top ten…but plenty of big heavy metal sits a few places behind them. A car once described in its day as two strips of tin and a pile of match-wood has out-performed many, and the one-litre engine sounded crisp this morning

I got mail from the boys and everything is fixed so they can leave tomorrow in full confidence.
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Peter McKercher
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Post by Peter McKercher »

The boys are getting their fair share of coverage by the organizers. Their steering problems have had an impact on their standing, but still doing brilliantly with a Siver Medal placement.

For those who have not driven a pre war Singer, believe me, this is a remarkable testament to both the car and its drivers.. Well done gentlemen. Keep on truckin' .
Peter McKercher
Vice President - NASOC
Pre war Singer Specialist and Collector
Automotive Historian
Author of "Racing Roadsters"

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