DuPont™ Kevlar® Saves the Day in Mongol Road Rally

Although most DuPont™ Kevlar® applications target specific uses, such as military protection or cable durability, atypical uses and seemingly insurmountable circumstances also demonstrate the versatility and adaptability of Kevlar® brand fiber. Kevlar® more than pulled its weight in southwest Siberia, coming to the rescue during a road trip plagued with harsh conditions, unplanned setbacks and bizarre hazards.

Two fearless adventurers set off from London’s Hyde Park on a 7,500-mile journey to Ulan Bator, Mongolia, driving a 22-year-old Suzuki, aptly named Suzi. The Mongol Rally, a charity road rally, crosses 12 countries and plenty of extreme terrain.

Head driver Simon Jelley and his partner battled treacherous conditions as Suzi on Tour wound its way through the back country of many of the world’s most naturally beautiful countries including Siberia, the Czech Republic, and the Ukraine, as well as Lake Baikal.  Much of the adventure was plagued with challenges: mosquitoes "the size of crocodiles;” road surfaces that were melted, flooded or simply nonexistent; dust so thick it obliterated the speedometer; and a wreck in the Russian city of Omsk, resulting in an 11-hour wait for the police to respond.

Suzi’s creative navigators made continuous makeshift repairs, such as a loose timing belt repaired in six hours with a Swiss Army knife. Other troubles included the clutch going out just 500 miles from the finish in a mountain range between Omsk and the Mongolia border. Unfortunately, the broken clutch then caused the engine to rip from its mount and slam onto the underside of the car.

The precariously balanced engine eventually dropped onto the front axle, screeching Suzi to a halt less than a quarter mile from the border. Instantly, the team was surrounded by Mongolians and Russians, ready to help. Quick thinking and improvisation lead Simon to produce a bundle of webbing made of Kevlar® fiber from the boot of his car that had been donated to his team prior to the race.  Tying the webbing to the front wheel and passing it under the engine, a cradle was formed as many gathered spectators helped lift the engine back into place.

Crossing into Mongolia with the engine back in place, Suzi continued on with no further problems to finish 37th out of well over 100 entrants,  while helping to raise over £2,000 for four charities in Mongolia, Africa, and the UK! At the completion of the race, the drivers credited Kevlar® with their success stating, “Without this webbing, Suzi wouldn’t have been able to continue. In the end, Kevlar® had saved the day and helped our team to an exciting victory!”