Americans Michele Shapiro and Dan Rensing will participate with a 1930 Chevrolet coupe in the “Peking to Paris Motor Challenge 2007”, starting on May 27 in Beijing. On their way from China to France, covering close to 13,000 kilometers in five weeks, the two participants will be supported and encouraged by the Chevrolet organization in all countries they will cross. Each Chevrolet country organization will welcome the team and the local dealers will offer their technical support.

The Peking to Paris Motor Challenge, the first-ever trans-continental motor race, celebrates its centenary this year: 100 years after five cars left Peking (today known as Beijing) to drive all the way to Paris, over 130 vintage cars will follow the same itinerary. In total, ten Chevrolet cars are participating in this year’s challenge, built between 1928 and 1941. One of these cars is the Chevrolet coupe owned by Dan Rensing. It was built in 1930 and is equipped with a 6-cylinder engine delivering 50 hp.

Michele Shapiro, 37, will be behind the wheel of the historic vehicle. She lives in New York and is currently Director of Special Projects at an international investigations and security firm, but will quit this job for the race. She has already participated in multiple rally challenges. For instance, she was the first American ever to compete in the Aicha de Gazelles Rally, a grueling eight-day rally in the Sahara desert. She was also the winner of the 2004 European Bullrun Rally. A lover of cars, fashion and extreme adventure, Michele says: “I’m constantly looking for new ways to challenge myself. My favorite challenges involve driving cars I’ve never driven before in places I’ve never been before. If I could just get Alexander McQueen to design my racing suit I’d really be in heaven.”

The owner of the vehicle, Dan Rensing, 57, will be the co-driver, navigator and mechanic. A resident of the U.S. state of Ohio, he is married, has one daughter and one son and has been working as a surveyor since 1970. He has always been passionate about mechanics and started working on cars at age 16 when he began reading books and repairing vehicles as a hobby. He bought the 1930 Chevrolet coupe especially for the Peking-Paris race. Dan explains: “When I decided to participate in the race, I was, of course, looking for a car that would be available in running condition and at a reasonable price: The Chevrolet car was the perfect solution. For me, Chevrolet has always stood for solid build quality and durability.” He found the car in Minnesota and drove it back to Ohio where he restored it completely and prepared it for the race.

The U.S.-based team is excited and ready to kick off the race from Asia to Europe, the birthplace of Louis Chevrolet. No doubt, during their long journey, they will remember what Louis Chevrolet used to say: “Never give up!”