Motor Sport SA Chairman and MG aficionado, Roger Pearce, arrived in Nairobi in Kenya yesterday in the 1973 MGB GT in which he hopes to reach Silverstone in the UK within the next 30 days.
Pearce has completed 3 900 kilometres of his 15 000 kilometre trek through Africa, the Middle East and Europe but started picking up engine problems two days ago, which he has established were caused by fuel, which is sold as premium but is in reality unleaded.
“I noticed that the engine wasn’t running at its peak and discovered that the valve seats on two of the cylinders had collapsed as a result of using the wrong fuel,” said Pearce. “The cylinder head is being rebuilt by a machine shop in Nairobi and I should be underway within the next 24-hours.”
“The problem has put me one day behind schedule but I cannot complain as I have enjoyed a much needed rest after covering 3 900 kilometres over generally good roads but it is the sections of badly potholed roads that have taken their toll.”
The next part of this epic journey sees Pearce head into ‘bandito’ country in the North of Kenya and locals have advised him to join up with a convoy as they regard it as highly unsafe for someone driving solo.
“Naturally I am concerned about the ‘bandito’ issue but ground clearance on the MGB GT is also a concern because the ‘middelmannetjie’ created by truck convoys is very high and bound to beach vehicle,” added Pearce. ‘I’ll be increasing the ground clearance somewhat and hope not to get stuck.”