Accountant revs up to rally
A Grant Thornton accountant will set off from London this Saturday on a 16,800km motor race to Sydney in the altruistic name of charity with an added touch of adrenalin chasing.
Preston Ayres will compete against 94 other motor sport aficionados in the gruelling 32-day, 16,800km London to Sydney motor rally starting on 3 June 2000.
The race crosses 3 continents and has been hailed by prime minister Tony Blair as ‘one of motor sport’s toughest and most prestigious events.’
Ayres and co-driver Charles Golding will raise money for the Desai School, an over-crowded and under-funded school in Nairobi. The team is being sponsored by Grant Thornton’s Milton Keynes office.
Ayres, head of motor retail at Grant Thornton, said: ‘Our target is to finish in the top ten. With former world rally champions Hannu Mikkola and Stig Blomqvist in the field the competition is going to be tough. But we are not just looking to pursue our hobby but to raise money for charity.’
The team who have participate in numerous international rallies together will be driving a 1969 rally prepared Ford Escort MK1. The pair will be sending regular updates to those interested throughout the 32-day race on the official rally website: www.twerally.com