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ThisIsnt: Mongolia
0 commentsWhen buying a car for under £500 you wouldn't expect to get a great deal for you money, especially if it's a one litre wonder, but this car is going to Mongolia along with the four Exeter University students who are raising money for charity.
Stuart, Mike, Dom and Paddy will be heading off into the great unknown, way past Bristol, on to the bright lights of London. From there it's "Ready, set, go!" and they're off to Mongolia in a bargain little motor.
"Our route takes us down to Turkey via Eastern Europe, then across the Caspian sea into Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekhistan, Russia and eventually Mongolia."
"The Paris to Dakar [rally] is very popular but its ridiculously safe compared to this one. I hear they even have a support team. Rubbish!" says Dom. "As well as that, the charity effort that the people at the Mongol Rally put in is awesome. They raised over 200k between the 140 teams last year and I reckon we should smash that this year".
This is the first time the guys have tried something as big as this. As Mike puts it: "We're rally virgins. I've told my business partner we're trying for two weeks, so that's what we'll try and do. Worst case she thinks a month, but I might have to fly back before then for work."
Dom's employer NEXUS Computer Solutions have generously sponsored the guys on their journey, as well as giving him time off work and supplying the team's shiny new web site.
We asked Stuart why he and the lads decided on a cross European rally. "It’s a challenge, a big one in fact. We will get to see parts of the world most only see censored through brief news clips, Turkmenistan for example will be a real eye opener, the guy indoctrinates his people with his own book, telling them how to live. It’s totally mad. If you annoy him, he’ll boil you alive in oil. Nice. We’re expecting it to take between 3-4 weeks, depending on how many nomadic weddings we get invited to. But seriously, we’re doing it for charity, the main charity is the mercy corps of Mongolia, who are up for a Nobel prize this year, we’re also looking to support local charities."
Mike: "It's an adventure, and a good way of raising money for charity. A rally in a car that's suitable just isn't fun at all – that's simply endurance driving. This rally will be a test of body and mind! I work very closely with one of the charities – the Chanctonbury Community Play Scheme – and I see this as an interesting way of drumming up both publicity and funds for a very worthy cause."
Did we mention the car doesn't have any air conditioning? All four will be living in the car and a couple of tents for their entire journey. We asked the guys what is was going to be like.
Paddy: "We all lived together through university and so know most of each other’s bad habits beforehand (although no doubt we will be reminded of some that we would rather have forgotten!!) either way it is pretty much guaranteed to be cramped, uncomfortable and smelly, but this is pretty much taken as read."
So who's going to be the worst to put up with?
Mike: "Paddy will demand the front seat as soon as we set off. He whinges like a girl."
Dom: "It's gotta be Stu! For one, he's tall. Very tall. Not as tall as Paddy maybe, but he's also always had a nice 206 with air con, electric windows, and all that - this kind of basic car isn't his style - Paddy is used to driving around in rubbish.
"We did a test run around Devon a couple of weekends ago and Paddy did something so vile we had to pull over and let people out of the car so really they are both as bad as each other. Mike and I are awesome - we'll be no problem!"
Stu and the lads set off from Hyde Park on July 21st and you can follow their progress, as well as make a donation on their web site.
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