Fulda Saves Panda from Extinction

Fulda is sponsoring a 1991 Fiat Panda 4×4 taking part in the Mongol Rally 2008. The Fiat will set off on the 19th July and will be fitted with the Fulda EcoControl tyres.

James Philpott and Sebastian Barraclough from Hereford will be driving the 17 year old Fiat from London to Ulaanbaatar the capital of Mongolia. The rally, in aid of numerous charities based in Mongolia, will take the charitable pair through 18 countries, covering a distance of over 10,000 miles, putting the Fulda EcoControl tyres to the test.

The Fulda EcoControl has a new asymmetric design and innovative silica tread compound which maximises grip, reduces fuel consumption and increases mileage performance significantly, which will help the team perform well.

The team, known in the rally as ‘The Tough Guys’, will be making a fly-on-the-wall documentary on their experience. With expertise in the film industry, working on films such as the latest Bond film Quantum of Solace and numerous prime time television dramas James and Sebastian will be reporting back on Fulda’s performance during the challenge.

“We are aiming to raise a minimum of £1000 for the chosen Mongolian charities, at the end of the cars that have taken part will be auctioned off to local Mongolian families…The [rally] rules state that cars must be under 1000cc which is why we have chosen the Panda. We hope it will do us proud and get us to the finish line first,” said Sebastian Barraclough, competitor in the rally.

“Fulda was interested in fitting the Fiat Panda with a set of EcoControl tyres not only to support a worthy cause but also to prove the tyres ability to last the 10,000 mile duration. We have managed to get HiQ in Hereford on board to fit the tyres free of charge. We are pleased to be one of the teams key sponsors of this challenging expedition and hope that the team does well in the rally. Hopefully we will see the tyres performance in the documentary the team are putting together” said Kate Rock, Fulda Communications Specialist.