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Great South American Challenge 2013 – Report and Photos

1923 Vauxhall 23/60 of Max and James Stephenson
Overall Winners - 1923 Vauxhall 23/60 of Max and James Stephenson

The 2013 Great South American Challenge, organised by H&H Classic Rallies, crossed the finishing line March 24th in Ushuaia, Argentina – the world’s most southerly town – after 14,500 gruelling kilometres of action, triumph and adventure, stretching from Rio de Janeiro to the very tip of the world. The start on 14 February was organised to coincide with the end of the greatest show on earth – the 2013 Rio Carnival – when 29 cars, from Austin to Vauxhall, with participants from Australia to the USA, set out on the adventure of a lifetime.

The route included the Foz do Iguaccu Falls in Brazil; the Uyuni Salt Flats in Bolivia; Lake Titicaca – the highest navigable lake in the world; Machu Picchu in Peru – the home of the Inca Kings; the Atacama desert – the driest place on earth; and the lake district of Chile; Patagonia; glaciers and the wine regions of Argentina; before the final dash to the end of the world in Ushuaia.

The event was won by the father and son combination of Max and James Stephenson from Australia in their 1923 Vauxhall 23/60, followed by the Porsche 356 of Stephen Harris from the USA and co-driver Hayden Burvill from Australia. Third went to Hans Geist and Herbert Pinzolits from Austria in their Mercedes-Benz 280SE.

Commenting on his success, Max Stephenson said, “This was a fantastic rally and to win it with my son is unbelievable. Congratulations to everyone who finished this event, which is one of the toughest in the world.”

Of the 29 starters, seven failed to reach the finish – all through mechanical failure or lack of preparation.

The Great South American Challenge 2013 was the second endurance rally organised by H&H Classic Rallies (the first was the Tiger Rally in south east Asia) and was regarded as a success by the participants. The second Great South American Challenge is scheduled for 2015. For more information, visit hhclassicrallies.com.

Great South American Challenge 2013 – Rally Results

 

1st Overall – Max and James Stephenson – 1923 Vauxhall 23/60
2nd Overall (and winners of Class C) – Stephen Harris and Hayden Burvill – 1964 Porsche 356
3rd Overall (and winners of Class D) – Hans Geist and Herbert Pinzolits – 1969 Mercedes 280SE
Winners of Class A: Bill and Biddy Bolsover – 1927 Bentley 3/8
Winners of Class B: Lloyd Dahmen and Chuck Schwager – 1949 Cadillac 62 Coupe

Great South American Challenge 2013 – Photo Gallery

 

Pass over the Andes Mountains into Argentina
Pass over the Andes Mountains into Argentina
Steven Harris and Hayden Burvill piloted their 1964 Porsche 356 to 2nd Overall and winners of Class C
Steven Harris and Hayden Burvill piloted their 1964 Porsche 356 to 2nd Overall and winners of Class C
1970 Peugeot 404 of Ralph and Liza Cotter
1970 Peugeot 404 of Ralph and Liza Cotter
1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre of Peter Little and Sarah Louise Cartledge
1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre of Peter Little and Sarah Louise Cartledge
1923 Austin 20 of Ralf Weiss and Kurt Schneiders
1923 Austin 20 of Ralf Weiss and Kurt Schneiders
1962 Mercedes-Benz 220SE of Andreas Pohl and Robert Peil
1962 Mercedes-Benz 220SE of Andreas Pohl and Robert Peil

Great South American Challenge 2013 – Photo Gallery Page Two

 

Max and James Stephenson - 1923 Vauxhall 23/60
Max and James Stephenson – 1923 Vauxhall 23/60
1932 Plymouth Coupe - Mark Winkleman and Vitor Conceicao
1932 Plymouth Coupe – Mark Winkleman and Vitor Conceicao
1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre of Peter Little and Sarah Louise Cartledge
1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre of Peter Little and Sarah Louise Cartledge
1932 Plymouth Coupe - Mark Winkleman and Vitor Conceicao
1932 Plymouth Coupe – Mark Winkleman and Vitor Conceicao
1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre of Peter Little and Sarah Louise Cartledge
1930 Bentley 4.5 Litre of Peter Little and Sarah Louise Cartledge

Great South American Challenge 2013 – Photo Gallery Page Three

 

Winners of Class B - 1949 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe of Lloyd Dahmen and Chuck Schwager
Winners of Class B – 1949 Cadillac Series 62 Coupe of Lloyd Dahmen and Chuck Schwager
1928 Ford Model A of Chris Evans and Mark Seymour
1928 Ford Model A of Chris Evans and Mark Seymour
3rd Overall and winners of Class D - 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE of Herbert Pinzolits and Hans Geist
3rd Overall and winners of Class D – 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SE of Herbert Pinzolits and Hans Geist
Winning team of Max and James Stephenson and their 1923 Vauxhall 23/60
Winning team of Max and James Stephenson and their 1923 Vauxhall 23/60
1968 Chevrolet Camaro entered by the Australian team of Reg Toohey and Tony Spanjers
1968 Chevrolet Camaro entered by the Australian team of Reg Toohey and Tony Spanjers
Winning team of Max and James Stephenson and their 1923 Vauxhall 23/60
Winning team of Max and James Stephenson and their 1923 Vauxhall 23/60

Great South American Challenge 2013 – Photo Gallery Page Four

 

1933 Lagonda M45 was shared by Martin Egli, Thomas Kern, Marc Buhofer and Jack Amies
1933 Lagonda M45 was shared by Martin Egli, Thomas Kern, Marc Buhofer and Jack Amies
1923 Austin 20 of Ralf Weiss and Kurt Schneiders
1923 Austin 20 of Ralf Weiss and Kurt Schneiders
Great South America Challenge 2013
1928 Ford Model A of Chris Evans and Mark Seymour
Overall Winners - 1923 Vauxhall 23/60 of Max and James Stephenson
Overall Winners – 1923 Vauxhall 23/60 of Max and James Stephenson
Winners of Class A - 1927 Bentley 8-Litre of Bill and Biddy Bolsover
Winners of Class A – 1927 Bentley 8-Litre of Bill and Biddy Bolsover

[Source: H&H Classic Rallies]