PETE SWEESTEROVERLAND DRIVING INSTRUCTOR

Pete has been part of the training team at Overland Expo since the first Amado event teaching Border Crossing simulations, hosting the Borders and Bribes round table, and teaching Advanced On and Off-Road Driving.

Born in the UK, Pete’s first adventures were undertaken with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets on training camps across the UK and abroad. Planning, Navigation, and survival skills were learned at an early age, culminating with the award of a Royal Air Force Flying Scholarship. Pete learned to fly before he could drive. 

Pete spent almost 20 years working for HM Customs experiencing all aspects of Customs procedures and spent his last 10 years as a specialist Investigator. It was in Customs he was trained in advanced driving techniques. 

Getting the itch to travel and inspired by First Overland, Pete completed a global overland expedition from London to Malaysia in an ex Camel Trophy 110 with his wife Michele. They rounded off the adventure with a trip across America ending up in New York just after 9-11. His was one of the first expeditions to drive their own vehicle into China from Nepal and out through Laos. In his spare time, he co-founded the Camel Trophy Owners Club and organized their liaison with Camel Trophy management and the Land Rover factory. His off-road driving was honed by Camel Trophy competitors such as Bob Ives, from the 1989 UK winning team, and at iconic sites such as Eastnor Castle and the Jungle track at Land Rovers factory.

Having moved to the USA he Sold at, and Managed, Land Rover dealerships for 17 years. Almost all of those as a coveted Guild member. He participated in Trek and trained all his staff to utilize the “off-road course” at the dealerships. He also built an off-road course at the dealership for customer driving days.

He is NPTC off-road certified, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and a Tread Lightly Master trainer. Pete now consults for Expeditions and Film and TV companies on Customs issues, procedures and logistics, and of course 4×4 driving.

Photo by Brett Willhelm

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