Rio - Lima - Ushuaia - Rio
6 October - 29 November 2001
Aged 47, Paul is proud to be a school dropout turned successful entrepreneur, who specialises in buying failing engineering companies, 'turning them around', then selling them on. He got the bug for rallying after driving for the camera crew on the 2000 London to Peking rally. His wife sees the benefits, too: she considers it great to have both Paul and their son out of the house for such a long spell. Aged 18, Charles will be on his gap year between school and university, and has just qualified to co-drive on Inca Trail by passing his driving test. Their car is one of just three RHD Buick Special Convertibles built - probably for the South African market - out of a total production of 1488. It is being totally stripped down and overhauled - with strengthened rear shock absorbers. Personal preparation will consist of ordering a Fortnum & Mason hamper, buying new clothes - and then packing them.