Applications

FAQ’s

When do applications close?

We take applications through until early September or until the limited number has been reached. Then a waiting list will be created. If you get in nice and early then it gives us both a chance to spot any potential future issues and you can save yourself a fortune by buying the ferries early and bag the decent low price on hotel /B&B/Homestays and return flights.

What is a banger and how much should it cost?

This is a banger challenge so the clue is in the tile. However the challenge is on you to make it to the end as well. If you buy a £500 – £800 banger and it breaks down before the first ferry port then its game over. So be sensible with your purchase. If it looks a bit old has a few scrapes but runs like a dream then you have hit the jackpot. In the early days many took old Ladas as they were cheap and made of mechanical parts. Now most cars have ECU’s MAF sensors and electronic injectors which can cause all manor of problems. This can create an awesome story of how you nursed it to the end but it can quickly inhibit your daily enjoyment too. It’s all part of the challenge but ultimately it is down to how much of a challenge you really want. Also in this day and age where the charity end user is an important factor of alternative modern world travel then its good for the soul to donate something of value. So if you do spend a bit extra in order to make it to the final destination then this ticks both boxes. Both you and the end user charity will benefit from this experience. Your kind donation really will make a difference so thanking you in advance for that.

Left hand drive or right? What make of vehicle? Petrol or Diesel?

LHD is king. You won’t get as much hassle from the police and it will make far more money fo the end user charity.

RHD is fine but will need converting within 6 months as we are donating to Left hand drive countries.

So :-

If you are scouring the internet for a car to buy then some cars are better that others. If you buy French then you have more chance of getting it repaired when it breaks down! If you buy Japanese then it will make more money for the end user in The Gambia or Mauritania and be easier to convert. If your granny has just stopped driving and she has an old rover metro car then take that. It is a known quantity and will probably looks the part but won’t convert to left hand drive easily so will probably only make scrap metal value.

Flying in and need a car?

Looking at the challenges but live outside The UK or EU?

Want to fly in from say America Canada or Oz but can’t source a vehicle?

Well we might know somebody who can. Noting is impossible here. Long term friend of the challenges and participant in all of them might be able to help. He has supplied cars over the years for fly ins. They come with a level of preparation to help out ( sump guard / roof rack). Now as with all old vehicle they come with no guaranties or warranties implied. The car will look the part for a banger challenge. Do not have a go at mission HQ if you get to Spain and it breaks down. But if the only thing stopping you from coming is the availability of a car then we can put you in contact with Arthur Daley at Oddball motors.

Which fuel?

There is not much in it. If you you take either it is wise to take 2×10 litre jerry cans with some decent European fuel as sometimes further down towards Mauritania fuel can become of very poor quality or sometimes unavailable. Diesel should give better fuel economy and be easier to find.

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Applications

Just a reminder before you sign up

Now the serious bit. Your car must be passed over to the Rotary club of The Gambia to be auctioned for local good causes. The same applies for The Nouakchott Challenge and the Sand job 4×4 in Mauritania. Please do not try to circumnavigate the system for your own charity or financial purposes. It has taken decades to work towards a harmonious agreement with the police, customs and government. We now have a smooth hand over free from any import tax. This fragile agreement could quite easily be broken. Things are very different down in Africa. In 2024 a tracker was fitted to a Dakar Challenge team who turned up early and passed through without the main group and paperwork. Their car was impounded and tax at a higher rate was levied as they did not donate direct to the Rotary club of The Gambia. We make sure the vehicle is signed out of any customs complications and removed from your passport enabling you to leave. Please realise we are here to have a lot of fun and make a bit of difference for the designated charities. If we do this together there will be no repercussions. Thanking you kindly for your attention.

Unsupported. Whist the world is becoming an over regulated place to live, this doesn’t mean you can just disregard the bits you don’t like because you are abroad and think it won’t apply to you. It will and we won’t be able to get you out of prison if you have not adhered to local laws and customs.You are responsible for your own actions. Please act as an ambassador for your country. Your vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition. You must make sure you are adequately insured for every eventuality. This applies to your heath insurance, Travel insurance and car insurance. Take the highest level available with air repatriation. The same applies to Vaccinations. It is very different in Africa. Do your research. Get your jabs in advance, get your anti malaria tablets. You must have a full driving licence and have experience of driving on the European side of the road for prolonged periods of time. Its fairly obvious to say stop often, stay rehydrated and check your vehicle every time you stop. If at any point you feel unwell stop and seek medical attention. If at any point you feel unsafe stop at the next nearest safe place. Seek police assistance. If at any point you don’t feel comfortable with the idea of what’s ahead – Stop get a taxi to the nearest airport and fly home. If the organiser takes part in any of the challenges it is because they enjoy travelling with new group of challengers. No responsibility is taken or implied and they are not tour organisers or leaders. You are effectively buying a guide book with a chat page in order to chat amongst yourselves.

You will technically have no support or backup, and mechanical knowledge is supplied via each other. However the advantage of going with a group is that help may be at hand if your car dies. Our Roadbook will give you details of where to go, and what visas and paperwork you will need. Our closed Facebook group has over 20 years of experience from previous challenger with postings, updates and requirement for the challenge ahead. All is posted prior to leaving. Its a place for up coming challengers to talk amongst themselves and plan routes. Our WhatsApp group helps keeps everyone connected whilst on the road. The meet up points makes sure that you will meet guides for the desert section and fixers to get through the tricky borders. Guides and fixers are not responsible for your bad time keeping. If you are not there on time they will leave without you. If you cannot adhere to or do not agree with any of the above please do not sign up. We operate a 28 day cooling off period. Just in case you stumbled across this blind drunk, signed up and now regret it. You shouldn’t. Some of the best decisions are made in free from outside pressure moments. However contact us and we will sort it. Should at a later date things change then we totally understand and will happily defer you to another year or another challenge.

Now the fun bit.The Challenges are a complete break from the daily monotony of life. You will see, hear, feel, taste and smell all manor of strange and Wonderful things with scenery changing day by day. Challenges are as stated just that, “challenges”. They will push you out of your comfort zone from time to time and on other days will make you think – how on earth did I get here. It will change the way you see the world. Whilst the rest of your friends and work colleagues are watching day time TV getting tied up in the depressing world politics. You are actually out there traveling and experiencing the world at a grass routes level. Making a positive difference to each and every local person you talk to or buy something from. People you meet will be inquisitive as to why you are here in their country. Take time to talk with them and understand just how different and just how similar we really are. When you return home you will be able to speak of life changing moments you had with challengers who started as strangers and finished as solid life long friends.The camaraderie of meeting up or travelling with others makes these limited number runs more special. When your vehicle is donated and sold at the rotary club charity auction that is not the end of it. Everyone will be informed how much their vehicles sold for and you will be informed as to where the funds are to be spent Giving you direct access to the charity, School, Clinic, foundation, etc and photos showing the difference you have made. There is no upper age limit only a 17+ requirement for all (which was imposed on us so beyond our control). The beauty of the challenge is it has all adult ages, all genders, all nationalities, it is for all to take part in and experience. The journey is the adventure. Have a lot of fun and make a bit of difference doing it in an alternate world traveler way. Sign up and look forward to the most awesome overland adventure ahead.

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