Blog

Toyota to Tokyo…

Pop to the shops today, did you? That’s nothing…

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Where did you go today? Did you drive to work, do the school run, possibly go to the shops? Did you get in a battered old Yaris and drive from the UK to Tokyo? No? Why not? That’s what the Dan and Dave duo are doing and it looks epic.

Obviously on paper it’s a silly idea, but they’re doing it for charity, and that means the mechanical gods should smile down on them. Hopefully. We don’t want to stare fate in the face, but as we type, the pair are somewhere in Russia, they’re ahead of schedule and they’re still well on target for getting to Japan. You just have to love the reliability of an old Toyota.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4875″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Dan and Dave both work at Toyota specialist, Fensport Performance. With that in mind, they should be okay should a wheel fall off in Russia, or should they lose a crank seal in Kazakhstan. In fact, the logic behind choosing a Yaris is that it’s a relatively simple beast to work on should it hit a mountain or fall in the sea. You know, typical hazards that one would expect to face on a 12,500 mile journey.

Of course the £1,000 1.5-litre Yaris isn’t taking the epic journey on in standard trim. Dan and Dave kept themselves busy before setting off, by fitting wider arches, touch steel wheels with chunky tyres, a sump guard, LED lighting and a full exoskeleton roll cage. The modifications were carried to out to give the Yaris the best chance possible of completing the journey. The fact they have also resulted in the most beastly Yaris known to man is merely a happy coincidence.

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4881″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The adventure started out on the 12th of August, giving Dan and Dave 12 weeks to get to Tokyo. The plan was simple: drive hard, sleep/camp where and when it was needed, eat dubious food and become increasingly frustrated with the mess building up in the Yaris (we imagine).

So pluck was the little car, the lads were actually a full week ahead of schedule at one point, but due to the ferry to Tokyo being fully-booked, they sadly lost that lead. Still, as we type, the lads are taking their time and enjoying the (bumpy) ride. If you want to see for yourself, you can follow them on the LIVE TRACKER. Technology, isn’t it wonderful?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”4878″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”img_link_large” css_animation=”appear”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As journeys go, this one in pretty damn epic. And let us not forget, it’s all for the brilliant cause of Children In Need. With that in mind, you need to make sure you get yourselves on the website and if you can, pledge a couple of quid.

Dan and Dave, we wish you the absolute best of luck, and we’ll see you when you get home! Until then, ONWARD IN YOUR MIGHTY STEED![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Facebook Comments