The Paris-New York Expedition team, lead by Matthias Jeschke of Extrem Events made the difficult decision to end its journey—at least for the next 6 months.

The around-the-world expedition has been making tracks since early October 2008. A team of international drivers set foot on the streets of Paris behind the wheel of three highly modified 4x4 Jeep Wrangler JKs. The expedition set out to travel through 20 countries and over 26,000 miles.

Jeep Wrangler JKs outfitted with the latest in off-road technology were prepped for the journey. Key partners like Jeep, Goodyear Tire, Warn and LightForce were behind the team of Matthias Jeschke 100% of the way.

Off-Road.com picked up the Paris-New York Expedition in late February when they had just reached Russia. We were anticipating that the team would be crossing into Alaska in early April. On paper it looked good, but as the days progressed and Mother Nature took her toll—the journey proved to be much more challenging than imagined. Our dreams to greet the team in Alaska soon slipped through the sands of time.

Due to extreme snowstorms and numerous mechanical failures in Siberia, the team was delayed over one month. This decreased the chances of them crossing the frozen Bering Strait and the western coast of Alaska during winter. The team will now have to wait until fall/ winter 2009/2010 to pick up in Egvekinot, Russia where the team made its last stop. You can see some amazing ice-crossings and travel through remote villages in this amazing video. It helps if you speak German, but even without translation, it tells an amazing story.

Vehicle is damaged during snow storm	Broken hub assembly on flotation device trailer

WHAT NOW?


St. Basil’s Cathedral – Moscow, Russia

The Expedition has proven to be quite the adventure, successfully crossing through nearly 18 countries and tracking over 17,000 miles thus far.

The Paris-New York Expedition is not dead, only a little beaten. Team leader Matthias Jeschke is determined to reach New York, USA. He is also looking forward to achieving their mission of being the first automobile to go around the world all while using renewable energy and leaving no trace behind.

Paris-New York Expedition team - Jakutsk, Russia

The people that make up the Paris-New York Expedition team have been instrumental to its success. Also key have been the machines, technology and equipment these vehicles were outfitted with. Goodyear Tire saw the opportunity to be part of history and to also put their off-road tires to the test. All expedition vehicles and flotation device trailers were mounted with Goodyear MT/R tires. For those of you that followed the expedition on my.off-road.com, you know that these amazing off-road tires got the team out of some slushy situations.

Q&A WITH THE MAN


Matthias Jeschke, Paris-New York Expedition Leader

We had the opportunity to interview Paris-New York Expedition team leader Matthias Jeschke who is now safely back in Germany. Jeschke shares with Off-Road.com his adventure and his experience with Goodyear Tire.

Matthias, what was the most difficult stage of the Expedition?

MJ: Among many really difficult parts – there were two very extreme ones. First of all, an app. 1.5km long sharp-edged “nalid ice”, where we broke in to an extend of app. 20 inch. The tires were covered thick ice for hours. Unbelievable that we did not have any damages. The second situation was a gale-force snow storm, which hit us in the mountains. If we would have stopped there, we would have been covered in meters high snow masses. It is unbelievable for all who witnessed this situation, that the tires made a passing possible.

Having tires that won’t fail in –30 degree Celsius weather is key to survival in Siberia .

Were the Goodyear MT/R tires important in finishing that stage?

MJ: Without those tires, we would never have reached the stopover. Therefore, it was necessary to drive a distance of more than 1,300 miles with a total weight of vehicle and trailer of app. 17,600 lbs on air pressure between 0.1 and 0.5 bar. Only the MT/R can manage this.

After driving so many miles in extreme weather, what do you think about Goodyear MT/R tires?

MJ: For me, the Goodyear Wrangler MT/R are the absolutely best off-road tires in the world. I used the MT/Rs for all my expeditions so far. Over and over again it is unbelievable what these tires can do. No other tire can perform like this one.

How did the Goodyear MT/R tires make the expedition vehicles handle?

MJ: One vehicle plus trailer has a weight of app. 18,800 lbs – and they were easy to handle. That’s not only my opinion. Everyone who joined me on the17,500 miles of the expedition (journalists, changing drivers, photographers, cameramen) says the same: We would not have reached Egvekinot on our own accord without those tires.

If the expedition is taking a 6-month break, will Goodyear MT/R tires be back?

MJ: I will definitely continue with the MT/Rs. They are the best.
Thanks to all Goodyear employees worldwide who participated in the construction of the tire and everybody who enables my teams and me to do these extraordinary things.

There you have it folks—tried and tested.

We’ll catch up with the Paris-New York Expedition later this year to see how they’re doing. See you in Times Square.

Photos courtesy of Extrem Events

Interested in being part of history?
Contact Extrem Events for more information on how you can be a driver in the Paris-New York Expedition.
www.extremevents.info