Classic rally prep in Beijing

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Imagine a country, a big country; a huge country, where the horse-drawn carriage and bicycle were the number one transport mode untill not too long ago. Imagine the world's big six motor manufacturers finding a way in there, always eager to enlargen their market share, soon resulting into world's largest motor market. The country exists and is called China. And we are there to drive a rally.
 
So when you want to rally China you need to learn a little history first. Less than 29 years ago, there were hardly any cars in the roads here. Currently Beijing is planning to build its 7th ringroad/ peripherique. Paris has 'only' 2 peripheriques. So China is a very young automative nation with zillions of cars. Road safety is asking for a totally different approach. In order to get a temporary drivers licence any foreign driver must take a safety training. The head of the traffic department of Tianji gave us a short history lesson starting with Karl Benz and the first automobile accident victim in the USA.

Bottomline of his speech was that preserving human life is the most important rule in Chinese traffic today. When all rally participants in the room had agreed on this with a handshake, he signed off our temporary drivers licenses (below). Off we go.

To be continued.

(Text and pictures by Joris Bergsma)

   

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