While the guys have some down time in Budapest and Les prepares for the next stage of his journey on his own I thought I would introduce you to the latest member of the team .... Michael Bailey.
Mike is married with two daughters and 4 grandchildren. A Career Army officer, REME, 1954 to 1977 serving in the UK and Malaya followed by 15 years as a management consultant on contracts in the UK and the Sudan. Change of scene in 1990 he developed a wedding and portrait business in the Christchurch area. He retired from the business in 2002 to carry out all the administration, for his wife's ladies fashion boutique in Christchurch.
 |
| Sydney Telegraph photograph of the Works prepared Rover 2000TC taken in Western Australian Outback
He was also an early member of the British Army international rally team from the mid 1960's to the mid 1970's. Experienced in all the UK International Rallies and a member of the two car team on the 1st Daily Express London to Sydney Marathon in 1968 in a Rover 2000TC, in 1970 as a member of the 3 car team entered in the Daily Mirror World Cup Rally to Mexico in a Peugeot 504 and in 1965 as a member of the first crossing of the English Channel, Dover to Calais in an Amphicar and onward drive to the Frankfurt Motor Show, the event was featured in the ITV and Salvage Squad.
|
 |
| Crossing the English Channel, Dover to Calais in an Amphicar |
Mike's more sedate interests now include photography, long distance walking and oil painting.
He says he's much looking forward to the Jimny Challenge, which he will join on May 9th on the stage from Novosibirsk, (Russia) through Mongolia, back into Russia and on to Vladivostok to catch the ferry to Japan and flying home from Japan on the 11th June.
Impressive background, I used to follow the rallies that he competed on though I never knew about the Amphicar one. Look forward to the reports and photo's.
ReplyDeleteMike is a keen photographer and cameraman so we hope he'll send us some good stuff back.
ReplyDelete