The "Paris / New York - Transcontinental 2009" - project is one of the greatest challenges since the invention of the automobile and has yet to be successfully accomplished by anyone.
To promote worldwide CO2-neutrality, the use of renewable energies as well as energy efficiency, an international team will set out to drive around the world over land exclusively by car for the first time ever, following in the traces of early human migration.
Accompanied by a banner exhibition on the above mentioned topics the historic tour will lead this team across Europe, Russia, Mongolia, Alaska, Canada and the USA, crossing 20 countries in total. It is the objective to put the focus on the individual activities to minimize the CO2-emissions of each country, our partners and our project by achieving a maximum public awareness.
Without a trace and CO2-neutral
In order to not leave any traces and still make history, the expedition "Paris / New York - Transcontinental 2009" will take place in winter and CO2-neutral. In the effort to leave the environment intact on this stretch of almost 43,000 kilometers, the project management has committed itself to take the following actions:
- Timing: In order to avoid leaving tire tracks in nature, the tour will take place in winter. The vehicles will only cross meter deep snow and ice as well as deep-frozen soil, known as permafrost.
- Among others, low-emission bio fuel and bio oil on the basis of renewable / sustainable and readily biodegradable energy resources will be used for the engines, axles and the transmissions.
- Throughout the entire project, the CO2-level will be closely monitored. To neutralize the CO2-output occurring during the project it will be subsequently planted an appropriate number of trees in close collaboration with the state authorities, following the round-the-world tour. This will ensure that the tour actually contributes to reducing CO2-emissions.
- The expedition will only use state-of-the-art vehicles and equipment.
Support by politics
Both, prior and - in particular - during the expedition, the project will depend on the close co-operation with all of the involved countries, their ministries, associations, governmental departments and their Chambers of Commerce, all in the effort to successfully communicate the project's statements and goals of this historic tour. The project is supported by the German Foreign Office and all the German embassies involved in this tour.
An extreme project for drivers - both historical and historic
An international team of drivers will start in Paris on October 1, 2008, and is estimated to reach New York by the middle of May 2009. They will venture east through Russia up to the outermost edge of Eurasia and thus try to be the first team to ever reach the Bering Strait with wheel-driven vehicles of their own accord. Then, in February 2009, it is planned to cross the Bering Strait by driving over the ice. Considering that the strait has not been completely frozen for years, a swimming system will be in use for security. In the case that the vehicles break through ice or in case of open expanses of water, the swimming system will bring them to the next accessible sheet of ice. Upon arriving the American continent, the third challenge will be waiting for the team. The participants of the expedition have set themselves the goal - which has never been achieved before - to drive from Wales to Fairbanks and reach it of their own accord with wheel-driven vehicles. Continuing its jouney from Fairbanks, the team will cross Canada, drive through the USA from west to east and finally reach New York.
By then the Extrem Events team will have achieved three absolutely historical performances:
- Reaching Uelen / Russia of their own accord by wheel-driven vehicles
- Crossing of the Bering Strait
- First drive from Wales / Alaska to Fairbanks / Alaska along the northern coast
The goals of this expedition are to promote CO2-neutral project balance, the worldwide use of renewable energies and energy efficiency. The team will drive around the world using only one mean of transportation.
Be part of the team!
If you would like to accompany an absolutely exceptional expedition—as a driver of a top-class and fully-equipped Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon—to the most remote and spectacular areas of the earth, please visit this information page.