Category Archives: Uncategorized

It turns out that the knocking noise from the back axle was actually a problem with the torque tube. Many thanks to the Austin 7 community for all the advice, special “spasiba” to Alex Myall. It’s a job that neither Chris or Will had done before. Well done Papa Vanya and Prince Harry’s doppelganger (according […]

Lots going on away from the main action in Krasnoyarsk… We’ve been issued with the required carnet in order to take the car to Japan, which is being delivered in the UK today. It was arranged in super quick time by CARS (Classic Automobile Relocation Services). Also arriving are the tickets for the opening ceremony […]

Krasnoyar U18 rugby team playing well! This club, in the middle of Russia, issued the invitation enabling us to apply for an extended 3 month visa. We first met the president and the vice-president nearly two years ago at Madejski stadium in Reading when Krasnoyar played London Irish. We were there with our Austin 7 […]

Great fun with Krasnoyar rugby club tonight – Chris enjoying a meal and a drink with the president, the vice president and their families.

It turns out that last night Viktor and his wife not only fed Chris and Will after the marathon session in the garage, but also put them up for the night. He then got up at the crack of dawn to take them back to the garage to collect the car (in his pyjamas). The […]

In his own words, Will describes the adventure of the dynamo… “We started early from our basic motel room (very clean and very cheap £15 or so) between Novosibirsk and Kemerovo. We packed the car ate a breakfast of eggs and meat, and set off with the grinding noise from the Dynamo in full song. […]

Outstanding, touching, reaffirming and almost unbelievable support from these mechanics at Auto- Volt garage in Keremovo. Chris and Will limped there this morning, arriving at 1.00pm, with a very noisy dynamo. The team worked on the car for 10 hours, including one of them, Arkadia, making new bearings (twice – he shaved a bit too […]

Unfortunately even after the combined efforts of the challenge trio and the dedicated garage team the dynamo refuses to work. With no time left, Chris (Dada Vanya) and Will (Yura) said goodbye to Sputnik Ilya, bought a spare battery and a charger and set off for Krasnoyarsk. Chris is immensely grateful for all the advice […]

Despite the whole day working on the car, the dynamo problem has not been solved. The electrician at the garage is even going to take it home to try and fix it tonight! The intrepid trio still managed a bit of mischief though. On the journey, Chris and Ilya have become a little bit obsessed […]

A long drive of 300 miles today meant that Chris and Ilya made it to Novosibirsk. This means saying a very sad goodbye to Ilya, the best ‘sputnik’ ever who has introduced Chris to so many people and experiences – he’s going to be missed! However, things are not so good with the car. There’s […]