What is the Peking Challenge?
In September of 2007, the teams participating in the first Peking Challenge returned home, after a tough but unforgettable trip.
Your vehicle will travel through post-communist Russia, impossible Siberia, far-stretched Mongolia, and the Gobi desert in order to arrive in Peking on September the 3rd!
The initiators of the Peking Challenge organizes also challenges to Africa, the Middle East and Siberia - with more than 1.500 participants so far - as well.
Challenge me!
The Peking Challenge will give you the little kick inside! Everyone needs a serious challenge once in a while, we know that just as well as anybody else. Keywords: originality, madness, adventure, and ofcourse charity. The differences with the other Challenges can be found in distance, terrain, and a bit more support.
Besides planning the route, we take care of basic support such as a technical crew and a general support crew. During the events, this will be further explained. Main point is that this is your Challenge; we only create some support for emergency situations.
Moreover, we take care of the necessary permits, limited liability insurances, driver's licenses and license plates which are necessary for the border crossings. Unfortunately, it is not possible to sell the cars for charity in China. Therefore, we organize the transportation of your vehicle back to Rotterdam.
In short, technical support will be driving along with the teams, hotel bookings will be made, translators will be present when most needed, permits will be arranged and your car will travel back to Rotterdam.
Endurance
The Peking Challenge 2009 is all about endurance... are you able to keep your engine running for 11.000 km?
Adopt a Hero!
According to the Chinese government, it is not allowed to sell your car in China. They were not willing to make an exception. Therefore, the cars are driven to Tianjin for transport back to Rotterdam. The projects on the project list are supported by the individual teams and not by the auction. Each team will determine its own level of commitment and dedication to support the chosen project(s).
If you want to do fundrasing, but with minimal efforts, and still enjoy the advantage of tax deduction, you can make use of the Adopt a Hero action. This possibility is offered to the teams by the foundation connected to the Challenges, the Challenge For Charity Foundation (CFCF).
Your responsibility
You are fully responsible for completing this trip and it is driven at your own risk. It is your Challenge, so it is up to you to keep your motor running all the way to Peking! We as organisation offer support at the borders, arrange most of the accommodation for the nights and have a basic support crew travelling along. In China you will receive a Chinese license plate. Also taken care of are the visa and permits for Russia, Mongolia and China. Face up to the Challenge and see if you can do this on your own, with a minimum of help from our support crew.
Safety
All we need you to do is be present at the official meeting points. For your own safety we advise you to travel some parts together with other teams, as opposed to by yourself. Not only for safety but also for fun, since you will make some friends for life during this bizarre trip! Do you want a freshly made bed every night or a good 10 hour sleep? Are you much attached to your car navigator and not able nor willing to read the old fashioned road maps? Forget it and leave it be, the Peking Challenge might not be your cup of tea.
Where do we sleep?
Hotels for most of the nights are pre-arranged, and form the official meeting points for the teams together with the crossing of the different borders. Russia requires a registration of the route prior to departure and on top of that, teams are required to register every few days so that the authorities know where they are. The organisation will do the registration prior to departure and the required registration by the teams will be done at the official meeting points (hotels).
What is the entry fee?
Registration costs € 9.450,- per person. Each team must consist of at least 2 participants in a car. Each participant will receive an invoice for the entry fee. This can be paid in two terms, the first one being the down payment and the second one being the rest payment. When the organisation has received the signed General Conditions and down payments of the participants, a team spot will be reserved and the team will be informed.
Entry fee includes:
- Overnight stays at hotels and ger camps. The other nights you arrange for your own accommodation; with locals at home or underneath the stars
- Official Peking Challenge Gear
- Limited liability car insurance for Russia, Mongolia and China
- Crossing borders of Russia, Mongolia and China
- Visa for Russia, Mongolia and China
- Chinese license plate and driver’s license
- A netwerk of local assistents in Russia, Mongolia and China
- Support cars that offer emergency support such as car engineering, planning and safety in Russia, Mongolia and China
- Official Peking Challenge stickers
- Coordination of shipment of the vehicles back to Europe
- The overall organisation of the Challenge
- The organisation of the Kick Off Event, Countdown Event, Departure and Finish
- Online environment: admittance to the closed forum, exclusively meant for the participating teams of the 2009 edition
Entry fee excludes:
- Purchase of a unique vehicle
- Food & drinks
- Fuel
- Unforeseen expenses as a result of delay, car repairs, etcetera
- Self-supported overight stays
- Travel expenses for the return trip (flight or otherwise)
What do we mean with a unique vehicle?
A cheap and extraordinary car will determine the extent of your fun before you have even left on August 9, 2009. The preparation and pimping of the car is what appeals to most participants. Besides, just refilling your oil will not get you a truckload of good stories to tell after the Challenge! However, the car must be able to handle a bump or so as the trip will be quite rough. Since we take care of the shipment back to Europe, it is also allowed to drive your own car to the East.
What about the €250,- repairs budget?
The maximum repairs budget is a fixed €250,- per team and is not meant as a symbolic amount. Equipment not included. Think big in small things, find the necessary sponsors for parts and such and try to stay within budget.
Are there any events?
Definitely. The Peking Challenge is more than just the trip to Peking, it starts by preparing the car, and also includes the events before and during the trip. The following events are planned in The Netherlands:
- May 17 : Kick Off Event
- July 26 : Countdown Event
- August 9 : Departure
On the road we will try to organise receptions and parties in co-operation with local contacts. At the Kick Off Event you will meet the other teams for the first time and get a taste of the Challenge. There will also be a teams-only briefing with information about the route. The cars will have the team stickers applied and the drivers will receive the official Challenge gear. The Countdown Event is meant as a last check before departure. Don’t miss it! Exact time and location will be communicated in due time.
Do I need visa?
Yes, you will need them for Russia, Mongolia and China. This is an absolute must. The only thing you will need to do is hand in your passport, sign the visa application form and supply us with some official documents necessary for the organisation of the trip. You will be informed about the procedures and deadlines once your team has been placed.
How about vaccinations?
We will inform you about the vaccinations needed.
How far did you say it is?
Count on at least 11.500 kilometers!
Who takes care of the insurances?
Each participant will take care of the necessary insurances such as a travel insurance. Included in the entry fee is a limited liability for your car in Russia, Mongolia and China.
Are we rallying?
No, it is a Challenge and not a rally. You do have to arrive on time at the designated official meeting points. For reasons such as crossing the border as a group.
What spaces are reserved for the organisation?
Check out the the General Conditions. There you will find which space needs to be reserved for official team stickers and sponsors.
Will there be media coverage?
Our goal is to get a lot of media exposure. We will inform the press and try to form media partnerships with a selected number of media. National media is always approached by us, as a participant you are free to contact regional press without consulting with us. National media coverage must first be approved by the organisation. Are you connected in the media, let us know so we can join forces!
Does my mobile phone work everywhere?
It depends on your provider, but due to the roaming contracts it can get pretty expensive. The best advice is to buy a Russian sim-card. However, it is good to also take along a satellite telephone. This in turn will make it necessary to install a recharger in the car.
How is the quality of the gasoline in the different countries?
The level of octane may be as low as 70%; an octane booster is a good idea, just like a gasoline filter plus a few extra jerry cans!
How about the money?
In Russian cities there are plenty of ATM’s but outside of the cities Roebels are needed. The Euro is currently more popular than the US Dollar.
What happens after the finish?
The trip back home is not included in the entry fee, we expect everyone to have their own specific wishes on how to complete the trip. So you may want to fly back immediately or stick around.
PEKING CHALLENGE
info@pekingchallenge.com
T. 00 31 30- 271 42 27
F. 00 31 30- 271 03 25