Two men, three continents, 14 000km, less than 40 days: Mission Imp-possible
Two men attempted and completed the impossible six years ago, and it's time to share their story.
Owner of Radiokop restaurant Scrooge, Terence Tracey, and his good friend, Geoff Biermann, set out on a remarkable journey in 2013 that traversed 14 000km, 18 countries, and three continents in 39 days, in a Hillman Imp.
The Hillman Imp, regarded as one of Britain’s least reliable cars, was going to celebrate its 50th anniversary in style at a festival in Coventry, England – a festival that Terence and Geoff simply had to get to. But, rather than simply purchase a couple of plane tickets and take the easy route, like most would, Terence and Geoff insisted on attempting the unheard of, the Imp-possible.
They planned to drive the Hillman Imp 14 000km from Johannesburg to Coventry, a trip that many wouldn’t even think of attempting in the world’s best 4×4 vehicle. But, determined as they were, Terence and Geoff prepared for months and set out on their journey on 28 March 2013. Their trip nearly finished before it started however, as 10 minutes into their effort, the auxiliary fuel tank sprang a leak.
But, after a quick patch-up, the determined duo were on the road again as they set out to do what no one had done before. To get across Africa, they had to travel through eight countries: South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt. Arguably the toughest part of the entire journey was in Kenya, when they had to travel the Moyale (Hell Road) in northern Kenya at a time when the country was experiencing some of its highest ever recorded rainfall.
Despite getting stuck and having to be towed by a Toyota Land Cruiser, which had to be pulled by a truck after it also got stuck, the pair got through and went on their way. Their African leg ended in Egypt when they took a ferry to Turkey, which was the only Asian country they went to. They then went on to Bulgaria for the European part of the trip.
They would travel through eight European countries before reaching their ninth, and ultimate destination – England – where they met up with thousands of Imp fans in Coventry. The pair had to sleep through cold, rainy nights in some of the harshest parts of Africa, while having to deal with countless mechanical issues along the way.
Needless to say, when they arrived in Coventry on 6 May, they were undoubtedly pleased as Punch to know that they wouldn’t have to make the 14 000km trip again.
