THE LONDON – SYDNEY FRIENDSHIP RALLY 2005.

The first rally organised by the GRO in line with their stated objectives was the M & M’s London – Sydney Friendship Rally between August and November 2005.

This was possibly the longest ever rally in terms of both time and distance driven. It certainly was the first rally to take the most overland route to Australia. It finished on time and on budget.

To appreciate the style of the event, the daily reports of the adventure remain available on this website for readers to gain an impression of the challenges that were involved and overcome. We owe a huge debt to Sarah Lucas who prepared these reports, often after a hard day’s driving and faced with difficulties in transmission

We also wish to record our special thanks to the “Touring  & Automobile Club of I.R.Iran” who made our journey across their country such a treasured experience. The people of Iran were universally courteous, charming and ever welcoming, they were interested in our cars and they were very helpful to anyone with a problem. Most rewarding of all, they were as keen to meet us as we were to meet them. From the charm of Esfahan to the ruins of Persepolis and the bazaar of old town Kerman, it was a memorable journey. We will not forget our hosts and would have no hesitation in returning.

Likewise, extra special thanks are due to “The Pakistan Tourist Development Corporation” who ensured the Rally’s safe passage across the country. This not only involved all the relevant authorities being aware of our presence in each district providing a variety of local escorts throughout, but also extended to the immense generosity of providing a back-up ambulance and army transport carrier should anyone have had insurmountable problems negotiating the Karakoram Highway ( KKH ).

Pakistan took hospitality to new levels. As such we were honoured to be guests at various receptions along our route to include dinner beside the Indus as guests of the District Governor of Sukkur, at the closing of the frontier ceremony between India & Pakistan, dinners with both the Punjab Ministry of Sports & Tourism in Lahore and Dr.Jamal – Minister for Tourism in Islamabad. This culminated with an audience and tea with the Prime Minister of Pakistan – Mr.Shaukat Aziz. Finally as we progressed up the stupendous Karakoram Highway, we dined with the Commanding Officer in charge of the Northern Territories and Mr.Ali Khan - Mir of Hunza.

This is not to forget Moshin Ikram and all his colleagues at the Vintage & Classic Car Club of Pakistan who organised so much for so few to ensure our cars left Lahore fully serviced and ready to tackle the KKH.

To all these people we owe an immense debt of gratitude and we look forward to returning to Pakistan on another occasion.

Finally, two organisations were efficiency personified in assisting our passage through China and into Laos.

Lifeng Liu at China Sea International Travel Service ( lifeng_liu@263.net ) spoke perfect English and her speed of response encouraged a feeling of total security as we crossed that great country. As testimony, nothing in our itinerary went wrong between the 13^th Sep and 5^th Oct ( we can’t hold her responsible for certain roads ) ! Her national guides were models of patience and good humour when faced with the prospect of a late arrival escorting one of our injured cars.

On departure, a representative of Diethelm Travel Laos Ltd ( www.diethelm-travel.com ) met us at the border and ensured that our journey through the country was both smooth and enjoyable with a few fun police escorts thrown in !