They aim to complete the global challenge in 80 days, finishing back on Tower Bridge on 18 July.

80 days to go around the world rally

The drivers are travelling to China via Istanbul before being airlifted to Alaska, where they will set off over the Canadian Rocky Mountains and then east to New York.

They then fly to Marrakesh in Morocco for the final leg of the race taking them back to London, having skirted the Sahara Desert.

It has taken the Classic Rally Association three years to organise the event, which they claim is the first time there has ever been a timed lap of the globe with drivers finishing back where they started.

International competition

Competitors from 25 different countries are taking part in the rally including teams from Japan, Italy, Argentina and Australia.

Cars taking part in the rally include a 1960s Wolseley police car, a 1912 American Locomobile, a Classic 1913 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost, vintage Bentleys and even a Morris Minor.

Claude Picasso, son of the Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, is one of those taking part. He is behind the wheel of a 1964 Mercedes sports car.

Richard Newman, from Chicago, is travelling in the smallest car in the race, a 600cc Citroen 2CV.

"I have done several long journeys in this car already including the Peking to Paris run and I have great faith that it will see me through," he said.