23 June 2025
Peking to Paris crosses the finish line!
After 37 days, over 14,000 kilometres, 12 countries, and unforgettable memories, the 2025 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge has reached the finish line in Paris.
As the world’s toughest endurance rally, this year’s edition proved every bit the test of resilience, camaraderie, and mechanical grit it promised to be.
From the Great Wall to the Gobi
The rally begun the foot of the Great Wall of China, with 54 crews from 15 countries setting off on their monumental journey west. Early stages took competitors through harsh terrain in Inner Mongolia and the Gobi Desert, where sandstorms and 35°C heat tested both man and machine. Regularities and STC sections across gravel and mountain roads set the tone for a physically and mentally demanding challenge.
Jonathan Turner and Nick English’s Story
Among entrants was Jonathan Turner (GB) and navigator Nick English (GB), who returned with the same 1929 Bentley JT first drove in 1997. Their journey took a dramatic turn in Kazakhstan, old chassis repairs from more than 30 years ago, before Jonathan’s ownership, began to fail, and the chassis cracked in several places. In an extraordinary 24-hour rescue mission, a Vintage Bentley technician flew out to Almaty, and with the help of Bentley Almaty, got the car #10 back on the road – repaired and rally-ready.
JT and Nick continued the rally to Kyzylorda. The route entered the vacuous Kazakh Steppe, which is the largest in the world. At this point, the rally officially hit the halfway mark to Paris and passed the Baikonur Cosmodrome, out into a part of Kazakh.
From Kazakhstan's steppe and Baikonur Cosmodrome to the stormy tracks of Azerbaijan, the rally persevered on. Baku welcomed competitors with F1 pit lane celebrations before the journey continued into Georgia and Türkiye. JT and Nick's Bentley soldiered on like a “stubborn but loyal steed,” overcoming punctures, battery troubles, and desert dust that tested every connection.
Into Europe
Crossing into Europe marked the final leg of the journey. From Istanbul through Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Austria, the terrain smoothed out, but the pressure remained. Regularity sections, hill climbs, and tricky navigation tested competitors’ focus to the end. JT’s Bentley powered through into Germany, Switzerland, and finally France.
A Celebration of Spirit and Camaraderie
As the competitors arrived in Paris, the sense of achievement was profound. For many, it wasn’t about winning - it was about enduring. Crews fought mechanical failures, navigational mishaps, and exhaustion. Despite this, they have shared a sense of adventure and mutual support. Competitors experienced heroic roadside repairs and unforgettable moments with local communities. Peking to Paris 2025 proved once again why it is the ultimate endurance rally.
At the Peking to Paris Gala dinner and prize giving the atmosphere was full of emotion, as loved ones reunited and families embraced their returning adventurers. The 2025 cohort will forever be bound by the friendships formed through adversity and the unforgettable stories of daring adventures shared along the way.
It was inspiring to see so many members of the next generation in awe of the challenge, eyes wide with the dream that one day they too might follow in the tyre tracks of their forebears. Choosing who to share this extraordinary journey with is no small decision—but judging by the enthusiasm in the room, there’s no shortage of eager co-drivers. With 64 teams already signed up for the 2028 rally, and two Vintage Bentleys from our stable preparing for another run, preparations and testing will soon begin anew.
Congratulations to Jonathan Turner and Nick English, and to Car 10 - the only Vintage Bentley to complete Peking to Paris twice. She has finally revealed the secrets of her historic chassis repairs, now laid bare. We will rebuild her, and she will rise stronger than ever -perhaps ready to be driven next time by the Turner family’s next generation?
The legacy of Prince Bullgazus continues to echo through the ages, louder than ever. Another Prince witnessed last night’s triumphant homecoming, and from the look in his eye, he’s aiming squarely for the top step of the podium. All signs point to 2028 being the biggest and most thrilling P2P yet!
To every competitor, technician, volunteer, and supporter - congratulations. The 2025 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge continues to redefine endurance and show what happens when passion meets perseverance.
We specialise in sourcing, maintaining, and preparing vintage Bentleys for Peking to Paris and other events of this nature. This year, we had the privilege of preparing Jonathan Turner’s 1929 Bentley. Last year, a 1928 4 ½ Litre Bentley that Vintage Bentley prepared won Peking to Paris, driven by Andy Buchan and Mike Sinclair. Further, at Generations Rally 2024 we congratulated Nick and Jessica Sleep who claimed 1st in class and 2nd overall in their 1926 3 Litre 100mph SuperSports Bentley, one of only eighteen ever made, rebuilt, maintained, and prepared by Vintage Bentley.
If this event has sparked your interest in rallying or racing your own vintage Bentley, contact us here and we would be happy to source, maintain or prepare your vintage Bentley for the adventure ahead.
Photo Credit: Ian Skelton and Will Broadhead.
