It’s the ultimate ice driving experience …. in a 60 year-old car!

 PLACES to take, or spot, a high-value vintage Porsche might include a race track hosting a classic car meeting, a concours gathering, a museum … and Antarctica.

No, for real.

 All going well, a 1956 356A coupe will be driving on the world’s most remote and inhospitable continent in December. In highly modified state: In addition to being weather-proofed, the car’s wheels have been removed in favour of tracks and skis.

 A journey of almost 600kms is a fund-raiser putting the spotlight on child trafficking orchestrated by a United Kingdom-based extreme explorer. 

Though Kieron Bradley, who describes ‘Project 356 World Rally’ as being both an expedition and a humanitarian effort, has prepared the car, it’ll be an American  at the wheel.

Racer and philanthropist Renee Brinkerhoff is described in publicity shared today as being “the incredibly tenacious woman behind the wheel.” That’s something of an understatement.

She has chosen to take on nearly 32,000km driving over all seven continents, primarily while partaking in globally recognised endurance rallies such as Peking-to-Paris and the East African Safari rally. She’s been doing this since 2013 through her team, Valkyrie Racing. 

The rallies provide her global media exposure to discuss the problems and solutions for her cause and showcase her charitable foundation Valkyrie Gives.   

Obviously, the frigid ice of Antarctica requires a different sort of preparation and mindset to conquer the extreme environmental and weather conditions. 

Enter Tuthill Porsche, a UK-based specialist world-renowned preparer of Porsche911 rally cars which has held a technical preparation role in nearly all of Brinkerhoff’s endurance cars, and Brady, who in addition to being a chassis development engineer also has background as a polar explorer and three times world record holder. He’s been working on the 356A for 18 months. 

“Success for Renee and her car will come from the thoughtful balance of appropriate technology we’ve added, and the mass reduction implemented,” said Bradley. 

Because full days of 24 hours of sunlight can be anticipated across Antarctica during this time of year, mass from elements such as lights, framework, fire extinguishers and wheels could be removed, while an increase in mass to accommodate the surface condition of the snow allows for the addition of tracks, ski, and crevasse bars, along with a specialised brace and suspension system.

Bradley further explained that while the mass in the 356 overall has been increased, the mass per square inch (foot print) using the ski and track system, had been reduced to under four percent of the standard wheel displacement.

“The ski we’ve created must do 40 - 50 percent of the work, by compacting and prepping the snow for the track unit to follow over, with the underside blade guiding the direction – this ensures the tracks will not submarine under the light snow,” said Bradley.

Aside from the skis, other significant retrofits include twin solar panels to produce a minimum of 150W at peek saturation, a roll cage, a four-ton bag jack to lift the vehicle in soft snow and an ability for the occupant to have rear window exit option.

Brinkerhoff has a navigator. Jason de Carteret is a world-record holder in polar exploration and has led more than 50 expeditions including those to both the North and South Pole. De Carteret and Bradley hold world records for the fastest overland journey to the South Pole. 

Because it’s a Porsche, albeit an elderly one, Brinkerhoff and De Carteret will attempt to set a land speed record on a blue ice runway in Union Glacier following their long distance drive.  The skis and tracks will be replaced by studded tyres for that bit.

The effort has commercial backing, but individuals who contribute a minimum of $A356 will have their names inscribed on the car, receive a photograph of their name and an exclusive ‘Antarctica Ice Challenge 356’ hat to commemorate their involvement.  Donations can be made directly to www.valkyrieracing.com/donate356.