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Dartmouth, Nova Scotia

HIGHLIGHTS

Garry Sowerby has completed some of the longest drives in the world, and in record times…

Notable achievements:

Four entries in the ‘Guiness Book of World Records’ for endurance driving:

1980 – Odyssey 77 – drove a 1980 Volvo 245 DL wagon around the world from Toronto’s CN Tower, traversing 23 countries in 74 days, one hour, and 11 minutes

1984 – Africa-Arctic Challenge – fastest ever voyage from the south tip of Africa to the north of Europe; driving a 1984 GMC Suburban he completed 12,531 miles (20,166 km) in 28 days, 13 hours, 10 minutes

1987 – Pan American Challenge – travelled from the southern tip of the Americas to the north of Alaska (Prudhoe) in 23 days, 22 hours, 43 minutes; drove a 1988 GMC Sierra truck

1997 – Frontera World Challenge – around the world circumnavigation from Greenwich, England; completing 18,344 miles (29,521km) through 16 countries and four continents driving a 1997 Vauxhall Frontera SUV

Other drives he has completed include:

Cannonball One Lap of America (1984)

Alcan 500 Rally (1985)

Around the Bloc: 7 East Bloc Capitals in 7 Days (1990)

Atlantic to Pacific, Canada’s Terrific (1990)

London-Land’s End to John O’Groats without refueling (1992)

His endurance vehicles have been displayed in the Petersen Automotive Museum exhibit in Los Angeles, California

Of special interest:

In 1977 Garry co-founded Odyssey International Limited with Ken Langley

In 1978 Garry resigned his post in the Canadian armed forces to make a career out of personal challenges and adventure driving

In 1992 he smuggled 4,000 children’s books to Moscow libraries and schools

Garry is a continuing member of AJAC (Automobile Journalists Association of Canada), a columnist for the Halifax Herald newspaper, and the author of a book entitled Sowerby’s Road… Adventures of a Driven Mind

To learn more about Garry Sowerby and Odyssey International please visit www.adventuredrive.ca.