RUPERT LLOYD THOMAS GETS HIS KICKS ON ROUTE 66

Rupert Lloyd-Thomas, presenter on Rocket FM Lewes, is more than half way through his epic 8,000 mile ride across North America in his diesel-powered Smart car, recently introduced to the New World.

The tiny vehicle achieves 50 mpg (US gallons) and there's room for Rupert, his wife Annette and all their camping gear inside it.

Rupert and Annette (who was born in Lewes) left Toronto in July heading for California via Route 66 and are now (i.e. 30th July 2005) at the Microsoft campus in Redmond, WA. The Smart will be serviced in Vancouver ready for the return trip east across the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Rupert says: "This is the trip of a lifetime and it's been like driving through a lexicon of American popular music; mixing it with the big trucks on the interstate has also been an experience. So far the Smart hasn't missed a beat and we've been the centre of attention all along the route".

Update: Rupert and Annette got back safely after covering 8,984 miles in 35 days - so Rupert will be presenting on Rocket FM again this autumn. Rupert has written a summary of the entire trip, with some extra photos, which you can see here.

You can read the account of the trip at Rupert's blog at www.punchbuggy.blogspot.com, and here are some of his photos.