Trail-blazing Brits Richard Meredith and Phil Colley set off from Tokyo today (June 25) at the wheel of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage, with their sat-nav set for London’s Trafalgar Square.
They are aiming to become the first people in the world to cross the full extent of the Asia-Pacific Highway, whilst bringing attention to road safety and raising money to increase road safety awareness among children in developing countries.
Their 10,000-mile journey in the factory-prepared V8 Vantage will take them through 16 countries, including South Korea and China. At times they will face inhospitable terrain, intransigent bureaucracy, intense heat, and a variety of other difficulties which will test them and their near-standard car to the limit.
Dr Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Richard, Phil and the V8 Vantage face a tough journey, but I have every confidence all three will succeed. “
Richard, a 58-year-old teacher who lives in Newport Pagnell, Bucks, said: “I have dreamed of making this journey for two years, and in Aston Martin I found a partner with the confidence and enthusiasm to subject its car to a very public trial in the name of road safety. “
Londoner Phil, 42, a travel specialist and tour operator, said: “We are proud, in our small way, to be joining in the effort of focusing attention on road safety among the young. “
The trip has attracted the support of the regional commission of the United Nations and a variety of international companies, and a team based in the UK has been set up to monitor progress and organise help if it is needed.
Richard and Phil are scheduled to arrive in Trafalgar Square on August 13.
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