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  13 October 2009
WHEN the drivers of a half-Suzuki, half-Reliant, nicknamed Thunderbird 4, broke down in the wilderness of Uzbekistan, there was only one International Rescue to call to get back on the road again… their sponsors, Suzuki dealer Pebley Beach in Cirencester.
Russell Gowers and Hugh Ager, two 23 year olds from Cirencester, were one of 350 teams racing from Glorious Goodwood in Sussex to Ulaan Bataar in Mongolia, in aid of underprivileged children.
Competitors had to make the two-month, 11,000-mile trip through Europe, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia in a car with an engine size of no more than 1,200cc.
Their 4x4, three-wheel hybrid featured the body of a 1986 Reliant Rialto on top of the chassis of a W-reg Suzuki Jimny JLX – a car they christened Thunderbird 4.
And Pebley Beach, which gave the weird hybrid a full service before the pair set off, proved their own International Rescue credentials when the pair, racing under the name Team Young Offenders, broke down in Uzbekistan.
Russell recalled: “Most firms would feel that, after donating a free service and cam belt swap worth £500 to our cause, they had done their bit.
“Not Pebley Beach, though. The absolute legends firstly confirmed our suspicions that our problem was due to a duff camshaft sensor. Then they agreed to ship a replacement part to a hotel in Uzbekistan, 4,000 miles away. We are forever in their debt!”
Now back in Cirencester, the pair are delighted to have raised over £1,000 for the Christina Noble Children's Foundation, which is dedicated to helping Mongolian children with education, medical care, social opportunities, and job placements.
Hugh said: “Team Young Offenders are proud to be helping to bring a bit of joy to the lives of children who have, through no fault of their own, not been able to enjoy the same privileges that we have – but we wouldn’t have been able to do it without Pebley Beach!”
And it’s not the first time this year Pebley has proved its International Rescue credentials. Just weeks ago the dealership was asked to ship parts to the Falkland Islands.
Mike Brunsdon, director at Pebley Beach, said: “Suzukis have an excellent reputation for reliability, but on occasion parts do wear out and need replacing – especially when you are driving a cut-and-shut across thousands of miles of wilderness.
“We were with the boys every step of the way and were glad we could help.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Christina Noble Children's Foundation can do so through the lads’ Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/mongolia2009/
ENDS
Pictured: Russell Gowers (front left) and Hugh Ager (rear) with William Larmour of Pebley Beach; Thunderbird 4 at a family’s ger in Arvaikheer, Central Mongolia.
Editors note: Press release issued on behalf of Pebley Beach Group.
For further information and interviews please ring Peter Davison (Secret Agent Marketing) on 0870 458 5340 or email pressoffice@pebley.co.uk
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