Chevy claims Peking to Paris win

After 37 days and 15,000km, Tony Sutton and Andrew Lawson claimed the 2025 Peking to Paris win in a 1939 Chevrolet Master Coupe, ending a run of back-to-back wins for Bentley drivers on the cross-continental epic. Not since 2013 had a Chevrolet reigned, when Phil Garratt and Kieron Brown won in a Fangio Coupe.

“It’s fantastic, extraordinary!” Tony exclaimed. “It’s been tight the last few days, but we’ve just been chipping away, and we got there. We’re so relieved, and still shaking! The car has been unbelievably robust; it’s been quite remarkable.”

“We’ve fought our way back up inch by inch,” added co-driver Andrew Lawson. “You just have to keep going, keep having a crack. It’s hard to describe the feeling, it’s an ecstatic feeling and we’re so happy to have a win, surrounded by all the friends from the rally.”

Tony Rowe and Mark Delling took second in their Ford Coupe 91A, and longtime leaders Jorge Perez Companc and Cristobal Perez Companc took third in their Chevrolet Master Coupe.

With no Matt Bryson in a Leyland P76 in the Classic field, a new winner was guaranteed and it was Brian Palmer and David Bell’s Peugeot 504 Coupé that was victorious. The duo had been a fixture at the sharp end throughout and denied Harold Goddijn and Corinne Vigreux in their 1975 Porsche 911.

“It’s been an epic event and really tough at stages,” admitted Brian. “We’re delighted to be here. There’s been so many good bits, but the highs that followed the lows are probably the best ones.” 

Plans for the next Peking to Paris are already well underway and will be taking place in 2028. The event will mark its 10th edition by returning to Mongolia. Read more.