HERO-ERA chairman Tomas de Vargas Machuca has secured the solo driving distance world record in a pre-war car after his 37-day, 9251-mile odyssey in the 2025 Peking to Paris Motor Challenge (P2P) was recognised by Official World Record Europe (OWR).
The achievement surpasses the previous solo distance record set by English privateer Eddie Hall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1950. Hall drove his Bentley Corniche TT Coupé for the full race distance of 2000 miles – 236 laps – despite having a co-driver on standby.
Like Hall, de Vargas Machuca also set the record in a pre-war Bentley: a 1926 3/4½ Litre in original factory specification and coachwork. Despite its age, the vintage machine proved a remarkably reliable companion, suffering only minor overheating and throttle gremlins in the Gobi Desert, along with a clutch fault and a small electrical issue that were remedied en route. He arrived in Paris 14th overall.
After the finish, de Vargas Machuca chose to drive the Bentley from Paris to his home in London before continuing on to HERO-ERA’s headquarters in Bicester.
‘I didn’t think the job was finished,’ he said. ‘Someone told me that in the old days competitors drove to events and that you only really finished if you drove back home.’
The recognition follows de Vargas Machuca receiving the Personal Achievement of the Year award at the International Historic Motoring Awards in London on 14 November 2025.
‘I am delighted to add this important recognition to the Personal Achievement of the Year award for my solo adventure across the world,’ said de Vargas Machuca. ‘Just as I was inspired by pioneers before me, I hope to inspire others to go beyond their comfort zones. I would like to dedicate this recognition to my late father, who was instrumental in building and sharing my passion for adventure and the motor car.’
De Vargas Machuca’s achievement follows the record-breaking Peking to Paris exploits of Anton Gonnissen and Mitch Gross in 2019. Gonnissen claimed the three-wheeler distance record, while Gross completed the longest distance driven in a steam-powered vehicle.
The next Peking to Paris Motor Challenge is scheduled to take place from 17 May to 22 June 2028. Click here for more.
