Porsche Center Tbilisi Hosts Participants of Historic Beijing-Paris Rally

The celebrated Beijing-Paris international rally recently concluded, drawing together 70 classic and vintage cars to navigate the historic 13,680-kilometer route. Among the participants were several uniquely modeled Porsches, a staple in this storied competition.

This year's rally saw Porsche pilots making an unscheduled stop at the Porsche Center Tbilisi service center in Tbilisi due to technical issues encountered on their journey from Beijing to Paris. The center's skilled technicians worked overnight to ensure the vehicles were rally-ready and could continue on to Paris without further delay.

Irakli Imnadze, head of after-sales service at Porsche Center Tbilisi, shared his enthusiasm for the event: "It's both significant and exhilarating for Porsche Center Tbilisi to partake in this legendary rally. Contributing to an event as prestigious as the Beijing to Paris rally, which requires driving classic cars and often necessitates technical support, is a great honor for us. Our team was called into action around 8 pm and worked diligently through the night. We managed to swiftly address significant issues; one Porsche required a complete clutch replacement, necessitating an engine removal, while the other needed engine repairs to fix a severe vibration at high revs. Working with classic cars demands particular care during disassembly and assembly, which we meticulously provided."

The Beijing-Paris automobile race has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1907, inspired by a challenge in the French newspaper, Le Matin: “Is there anyone willing to travel from Paris to Beijing this summer?” The race spans approximately 14,994 kilometers and captures the adventurous spirit of early automotive travel. The event made headlines globally when the Italian prince Scipione Borghese clinched the first victory, navigating from the French Embassy in Peking to Paris in just 18 days.

This year’s event lasted 37 days, with winners Andy Buchan and Mike Sinclair driving a 1928 Bentley 4 ½ Le Mans over 14,500 kilometers. The tradition of needing frequent, swift mechanical repairs continues to be an integral aspect of the rally's challenge, with local mechanics, including those from Porsche Center Tbilisi, playing a crucial role in keeping the historic race alive and moving.