When Ben Coombs set off on his ‘Mini6000’ journey, he had no idea that his 1974 Mini would momentarily become the highest car on Earth. His 4,000-mile trek through the harshest terrains of Uruguay, Argentina, and Chile, aiming to summit Ojos del Salado – the world’s tallest volcano – was fraught with challenges. Yet, through all the dust, rocks, sand, and ash, one thing remained steadfast: the tyres. Falken’s FK-07 10” road tyres delivered exceptional performance, managing to keep the iconic Mini free from punctures despite the severe conditions and relentless tests of endurance.
A Road Trip Like No Other
Ben Coombs, no stranger to challenging drives, has previously crossed Africa in a Porsche 944 and traversed the Americas in a TVR Chimera. However, ‘Mini6000’ would be his most formidable adventure yet. The objective: to reach Ojos del Salado, a peak located in Chile’s Atacama Desert, with an altitude of 6,893 meters. Along the way, Ben encountered extreme conditions, from freezing temperatures as low as -20˚C to treacherous sandblasting winds. Yet the terrain that posed the biggest threat to his journey was the combination of volcanic ash, deep sands, and jagged boulders.
The iconic 1974 Mini, weighing just 600kg, was loaded with over 200kg of extra equipment, including several spare tyres. These tyres, Falken’s FK-07 10” road tyres, would need to withstand some of the toughest surfaces imaginable. Despite carrying the additional weight, Ben was determined not to compromise on tyre quality. “I wanted to use a respected brand of tyre, and Falken was the obvious choice,” he said.
Falken’s Resilience on the Roughest Terrain
Unlike many off-road expeditions, this wasn’t a mission for aggressive tread patterns. Ben had a different approach in mind, preferring to rely on sand crawler boards and winching when necessary, rather than letting the tyres dig in. Falken’s expertise in delivering reliable performance for both classic cars and more modern vehicles made the FK-07 an ideal choice.
As Ben navigated the varied landscapes of the journey, including rocky roads, rugged tracks, and volcanic ash fields, the performance of the Falken tyres continued to impress. “At times, we ran lower tyre pressures to gain traction, yet we never had a single puncture,” he recalls. “Whatever the surface, even on the rougher, rutted tracks, the tyres were the one thing we never worried about.”
Falken’s FK-07 tyres are designed to handle demanding conditions while maintaining excellent grip and wear characteristics. Even when the going got tough and rocks as young as 30,000 years old were encountered, the tyres proved to be exceptionally resilient. The sidewalls stood up to the sharp, unforgiving rocks, ensuring that the Mini remained in motion and ready to tackle each new challenge.
Reaching New Heights
As the Mini and Ben’s support Range Rover climbed higher toward the summit of Ojos del Salado, the challenges intensified. At an altitude of around 5,900 meters – higher than any road in the world – the carburettor began to struggle to provide enough fuel to the engine. Ben’s constant maintenance, including adjusting the carburettor jets to match the thinning air, kept the Mini’s A-Series engine running, but not without difficulty.
Despite these obstacles, Ben and his supercharged Mini persevered. However, just 100 meters shy of their 6,000-meter goal, the carburettor’s float stuck, and the engine failed to fire. With the summit tantalisingly close, Ben descended to lower ground, where the engine finally roared to life, and the team could begin their descent back through the boulder fields, continuing the journey with the same reliable Falken tyres.
A Journey of Triumph and Preparedness
What made this expedition truly remarkable wasn’t just the breathtaking altitude or the gruelling conditions but the absolute dependability of the tyres that kept the journey on track. Despite the obstacles, Ben encountered no punctures or failures, a testament to Falken’s ability to offer superior performance in even the harshest environments.
Back in the UK, with the Mini and its still-pristine tyres safely returned, Ben is already planning his next adventure. As for his choice of tyres? There’s no question. “I’d definitely consider Falken for our next Mini adventure,” he concludes.
The Legacy of the Falken FK-07
While the world of tyres may be increasingly dominated by larger sizes, Falken continues to support the needs of classic car enthusiasts by providing a range of tyres in smaller sizes. The FK-07 10” tyres are part of this effort, designed to offer exceptional grip, durability, and wear resistance for vintage vehicles. Whether it’s an ambitious summit or a trip to a local car meet, these tyres stand ready to support drivers of all types.
For more information on Ben Coombs’ adventurous journey and the role of Falken tyres in his triumph, visit Planet Pub2Pub.
