Duo to drive third of world in a banger

WHEN planning a 10,000 mile drive across a third of the globe, buying a sturdy motor would be advisable – but one adventurous duo won’t be doing anything of the sort.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Nov 2014, 11:00 BST
Mongol Rally media shot SUS-141118-131245001Mongol Rally media shot SUS-141118-131245001
Mongol Rally media shot SUS-141118-131245001

Alec Wilding and Steve Lilley will take part in the charity Mongol Rally from London to Siberia in a one litre banger.

Ambulance service worker, Alec, 29, of Heatherstone Road, Worthing, said: “The big appeal of it is it has to be in a banger. We have to get from the UK to Siberia with no planned route, no GPS and no support crew, all in a totally inappropriate car.

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“When I heard about it, my first reaction was to laugh but it will be a once in a lifetime experience.”

The rally could see the duo take a number of routes, which may include driving through countries such as Iran, Afghanistan and Ukraine.

Starting in July, the journey will take an estimated six weeks.

Alec said: “As I work in the ambulance service, not a lot of things phase me but I am a little apprehensive about this, as well as excited.

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“It’s the unknown – once you get out of Europe, there are often no roads and you are driving in the middle of nowhere.

“A lot of entrants don’t end up finishing the race, for a number of reasons. One team ended up in Portugal one year.”

Alec and Steve, who is based in Bognor Regis, will be raising money for Mind, as well as the rally’s charity of choice – Cool Earth.

They met while travelling in Thailand in 2004 and think their strong friendship will see them through the tough ten hour days of driving.

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Alec said: “We have spent years getting ourselves into and out of ridiculous situations across the globe.

“The idea of driving across the world first came about during a four-hour delay in a Dutch airport due to a slight misjudgment of the time, and after some serious deliberation we registered for 2015 rally.”

The duo are in the process of securing a car for the journey, which they will plaster with sponsorship logos as part of the fundraising drive.

They hope a local dealership will donate a car for them to use, in order to keep costs down and maximise funds for their chosen charities.

For more information about the challenge, visit www.theadventurists.com/mongol-rally

Related topics:London