B10-Sunday News, June 8, 1980 round the world by auto TORONTO (UPC) - Jules Verne sent his fictional character Philias Fogg around the world in 80 days. in a hot air balloon, but a couple of young Canadians plan to complete the real thing in 77 days by automobile. Garry Sowerby and Ken Langley, 29-year-old Maritimers who first con- eetved the idea in August 1977, will leave Toronto's CN Tower Sept. 6 on the historic journey they hope to complete by Nov. 21. Even if they fail to achieve their target of 77 days, Sowerby, who will drive the entire 42,670 kilometers (26,514 miles), and navigator Langiey probably will break the existing Guinness Book of Records mark of 102 days established in 1976 by American Johnnie Parsons in a Pontiac Grand Prix. The Canadian pair, friends for the last 12 years, will drive a Volvo DL Wagon assembled May 7 in Halifax, N.S. The Swedish auto maker will present them with the car officially June 11. “We first thought about 80 days after Mike Todd's successful movie. then we read a= motorcychst had completed the tmp in 79 days.” said Langley. who holds degrees in and philosophy “The Guinness people were not able to confirm the motorcycle tmp, but we law settled on 77 days to be safe and because we first thought of the project in ‘77 and package Alignment & wheel balancing 5400 Don) want foro lang top fo hed oout thot yeu seed an chgnment ond whee! butume Out oof line Sl@orimg wears tres Owl of baton e ones wour ot suogemvwon A stoeig ports INCLUDES 1 Check tire wear A pressure 2) Batance 4 tees on Bear electron wheel bubane e: 3° Check all steering mechunmsnmns A suspension oom ponents 4 Check and odyust costor camber and toe in te manufacturers specs on Munter alignment cock Faciittos to work on any hind of ¢ ar Peter Brand Motors 1519 Clyde Ave West Vancouver _922- 3231, we feo harvey ay press MAa oe because seven is a magical number.” The project is now known as “Odyssey 77” with the Toronto Sun and Volvo serving as main sponsors for the estimated $250,000 trip. Sowerby and Langley hope to pick up = additional sponsors before they start out. Asked why they had picked an automobile for their adventure, Langley said, “because the challenge is there and records exist to be broken.” “It’s the ultimate road trip. We hope this is not the most important thing we will do, although it might be the most famous. We probably will achieve a bit of fame for a few months, but that’s not important.” Although the pair have driven more than a_ half milion miles between them, only one man may handle the wheel during the tmp to qualify for the Guinness mark, so Sowerby will do the driving. “We flipped a coin and Garry won,” said Langley. “Naturally 'm disappointed, but that’s the rule and Garry Car Rentals Oldies but Goodies free mileage from $12.95 Monthly Rates 980-1515 1180 Marine Dr. 5 Ber » ay does have the edge. He can keep going for 48 hours and endurance is going to play abig part.” With 10 days given to flying over water, the pair plan to average around 350 miles (575 kilometers) and 10 hours a day on the road. Because of the political trouble in the near and Middle East, the pair will overfly the territory, jetting from Karachi, Pakistan, to Istanbul, Turkey, to resume their journey into Europe. Other air journeys will involve San Francisco to Perth, Australia; Perth to Bombay, India, and Am- sterdam to New York. Across North America, Australia, Asia and Europe, the pair will pass through 23 countmes and 92. cities, including 19 capitals. They will cross deserts, moun- tains, dirt roads and super highways and are prepared for floods, snow, ice and extreme temperatures. they will experience all four seasons and cross the Inter- national Date Line, Equator and Arctic Circle. In North America, the pair will overnight in Halifax, Moncton, Mon- treal, Ottawa, Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Ed- monton, Calgary and Vancouver; Seattle, Por- tland, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, New Orleans, Atlanta, Washington, New York and Boston. Langley said the biggest problem may be “fatigue,” but both he and Sowerby are in. good physical condition. A personal friend and expert in sports medicine, Dr. Ben Boucher, helped them prepare for the journey. Balloonist Maxie Ander- son of Albuquerque, N.M., added a bit of excitement to the news with his trans- Auantic and = trans-conti- nental exploits, so Langley hopes his journey will also excite people. “Nobody has to be reminded we're in tough times.” TOP OF THE LINE Auto Mechanic wanted for Holiday relhet for June and July Possible permanent employment Pacific 66 2 196 Marine Drive, W V custom (Foreign Domest * Complete tine of Couatantee e Most Couatantoae truffles 984-9581 Improve your motorhome’s mileage by installing a exhaust WE ALSO OFFER Complete Boake Service Recreational Vetuc bos) shock © Custom Pipe Bending ivssteallescd 860 W. 15th North Vancouver (across from Dave Buck Ford) — We are locally owned and operated dual absorbers tifetiowg PRUE EB owithy UL afeetirnes eo = ordon IMPORT AUTOS LTD. 10th & Alma, Vancouver 733-8105 Northridge Plymouth Chrysler Ltd. 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