I've had some crazy ideas about some major road trips that I want to make in my life. Initially, it was traveling to Germany and buying a car (an Audi S8 or Euro Mercedes 6.9), drive it to Ireland and have it shipped back home.

My latest idea for a great road trip (which could also be considered a real-life version of "The Great Race") is driving to Ireland. Starting in the eastern US, I'd take the great highway up into Alaska, by ferry into Russia, drive through Russia, and take the Chunnel into the U.K. The car of choice? A near-stock Mazda RX7 with only these modifications:

Raised suspension (added ground clearance in case of potholes)
All terrain tires (poor road conditions are the norm)
A steel underbelly pan (to help protect the engine and radiator)
Hatch modified to carry a full-sized spare tire
An ensemble of medical, repair, camping and communications equipment.

Russia is the only country I'm not sure about. I have found that there was a race from Peking to Paris in 1907. I did a little quick research about foreigners driving in Russia and it looks possible (as for safe, I don't know with certainty :-)).

What do you think? I'm not saying I'm going to do it in next year (this will take a LOT of research, preparation, and possibly red tape if this becomes a race). It's just a crazy idea though up by a crazy American.

 

sounds cool.

also sounds like it needs alot of planning

I'd come

 

An international drivers license will be mandatory. Of course, if you **** off someone official in a country that can't decide if its communist or not, you can kiss your freedom loving american *** goodbye, 'cause you'll be freezing it off in Siberia while some Russian dude slides your car into the bearing straight.

 

Well if you do go through Alaska, that's where I live stop by with your RX7 for a lil' while.. but then again if you are going to get on a boat of some sort (don't think there are ferrys that go to Russia) you'd probably either board up in Haines, Seward, or Anchorage. If you go to Anchorage, you could load up the car in one of the cargo planes and ship it to Russia so it'll get there when you do. Or you could somehow turn it into a submarine and go accross the bering strait..

 

lol.. thats one crazy plan... and it would be one hell of a story to tell your grandkids.... go for it! (but plan lots ahead of time... )

Write the book afterwards, make all the money back that you spent on the journey and on the car...

 

hehe.. does Siberia have Jiffy lubes? cause you're going to require alot of oil changes hehe

good luck on your little road trip.. i'ld suggest a indash 7" dvd player and alot of movies you're gonna need something to pass the time..

 

How about USA to Chile. You could just drive 10,000 miles south and only have to cross the Panama canal. watch out for the drug lords in Columbia though, you'll need nitrous and a bullet proof car.