The 4C-China Rally Team of Pakistan in a 1974 BMW 2002

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A wonderful report of Amilcar enthusiast Shahzeb Ul Haq Malik and his brave family, as a threesome in the 4C rally - forced by circumstances - with a German seventies 'cyclecar':

"My 5 year old daughter (Jenna) was as excited as her mom (Anum) and dad (the writer) to see China and drive our own car from Beijing to Shanghai!!! Thanks to the free entry we were offered through the raffle by PreWarCar.

We sent our 1922 Amilcar C4 to China via ship in end August and it reached Tianjin port on 21st September 2015. There was a massive explosion at Tianjin port in mid-August and we started discussing changing the port etc but it was too late to do so as the CVUC had taken permissions and had experience of last five years for same port only. There is no story with some drama, right? So we all arrived in Beijing on 7th of October but our cars were yet to get out of customs as rules had become extremely strict post explosions and some unpredictable changes led the CVUC fighting for the clearance till the last day. Eventually came the day when the rally had to start next morning, an emergency meeting was called and we were informed that most of the Pre 1930s cars from Europe, Singapore and the one from Pakistan would not make it out of customs for the rally and might have to be shipped back to the respective home ports. Extremely disappointing and sad… but hold on, the China club was kind enough to get each one of us a classic car from the Shanghai Auto museum so that we could still drive in China Rally!

Now what we chose from the lot was a 1974 BMW 2002, obviously due to hands on experience as I have a 1971 BMW 1602 back home which my family used in a 2500KM cross country rally through Pakistan last November.  Mr. Joris jumped on the passenger seat to help me find a fuel station and boy was I lucky? “YES” As I start driving on the left side as we do in Pakistan and he softly says “Shahzeb can you please park the car on road side” so I did and he reminds me “You drive on the right side in China”

Next morning we were handed over a road book in morning meeting along with a device which could track us but we couldn’t track the way through it “just make an emergency call in case we get lost as ask from the rally team for directions or better use the road book carefully for direction in this big country where literally No One Speaks English. We reached the start line on the Great Wall of China where there was a glamorous opening ceremony and off we go towards Yesanpo, along the way we see breathtaking lakes, enormously tall and long bridges with scenic mountains. We cruised in the 02 as it proved to be the ideal car for this sort of rally making us one of the first ones to reach Yesanpo where the cars were parked along one of the most beautiful natural historic parks and off we go for some rest and then the dinner. On the table we were served chilled beer with freshly cooked Chinese food. So we eat some and drank a lot to the point that Sir Joris went and got a special bottle of unique Dutch Gin. Everyone ended up at our table and it hosted good 20 to 30 people that night.. The best part.. We start getting to know each better as we had interesting conversations before we called it a night some 11:30pm. Next day we left for Shijiazhuang after attending the morning meeting and taking our road book and instructions. China is big, its huge, its beautiful, mesmerizing, winding roads, bumpy roads, tuk tuks, goats, lambs, tractors, small scooters left right and center.. The BMW drives fast and like a Swiss watch on this kind of rally but anything can turn up on the road and at any time.. Enough to keep me entertained throughout...

My daughter made more friends than me or my wife could.. Everyone was so kind and generous that we can never thank them enough. Sorry I am not elaborate about the rest of the journey including Taian – Xuzhou– Yangzhou– Suzhou – Shanghai as time just flew with such great company of likeminded friends.. Talking about our different yet similar cultures, cars, hobbies, life in general and beer quality ;)

I have to say that this was one of the most memorable drives of our life and we are glad to meet, know and make so many new friends. So much so that we decided to call everyone over to our part of the world as we start planning for a friendly classic car tour de Pakistan for our European and Asian friends in 2016.. Watch this space!"         

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