A pair of real-life wacky racers from Sheffield are preparing to do an 8,000 mile car race in a 10-year-old Nissan Micra in aid of charity.The daring junior doctors will make the mad dash from London to Mongolia in late July with 200 other cars as part of the Mongol Rally - the world's most extreme car challenge.
And in the same tradition of cartoon characters Dick Dastardly and Muttley, not only do the rules of the rally state that no car may have an engine over one litre, but there is no detailed route to follow or a support team on hand if - or rather when - things go a bit wrong.
But for team 'Cannonball Hun' - with Andrew the 'Atilla' Hogg and James the 'Hun' Hatcher - the uncertainty of travelling across one quarter of the earth's surface in a car with 140,000 miles already on the clock is all part of the appeal.
"I thought it might be a good adventure," said 26-year-old Andrew, from Crookes.
"I wanted to do something a bit different before I have to settle down. It will be something to tell my grandkids and hopefully we can raise lots of money."
The friends, who both studied medicine at Sheffield University, have not yet finalised their route and there is some disagreement whether they want to risk driving through Iran.
While Andrew thinks it is probably not the best time to visit, James, also 26, said he thought it might be fun.
"I quite fancy Iran but the southern route is a bit dodgy," he said.
But whether the car makes it as far as that is questionable.
"This is a highly toned, well oiled machine," said Andrew.
"But it has got a little bit of rust and does need a bit of work. The fan has to be fixed and we need some all-terrain tyres and spotlights put on, as the countries we will be going through will put the car through a lot of stress through deserts, forests and mountains.
"Half the fun is breaking down and meeting people in the process. If your car doesn't break down something has gone wrong!
"When you do, you just hire a couple of camels and carry on! The whole purpose of the rally is to provide a bit of a challenge."
And the pair are doing away with modern technology.
"We're not taking satellite navigation equipment," said James, from Broomhill.
"It's illegal in Russia, and it would feel like cheating. But I'm definitely going to buy a map and compass even though the map will be useless once we get into Mongolia and head for the capital, Ulaan Baatar. Maps in Mongolia are notorious for not tallying with the actual roads - it's best to ask a local.
"I'm going to get key phrases written out in Russian and practice my universal sign language.
"I'm slightly apprehensive but pretty damn excited and its in aid of good causes."
The pair are hoping to raise more than £1,000 to be split between children's, agricultural and wildlife charities.
Anyone who would like to act as a sponsor or make a donation of money, car parts, camping equipment or raffle prizes should contact team Cannonball Hun by emailing AndrewHogg@doctors.org.uk.
And in the same tradition of cartoon characters Dick Dastardly and Muttley, not only do the rules of the rally state that no car may have an engine over one litre, but there is no detailed route to follow or a support team on hand if - or rather when - things go a bit wrong.
But for team 'Cannonball Hun' - with Andrew the 'Atilla' Hogg and James the 'Hun' Hatcher - the uncertainty of travelling across one quarter of the earth's surface in a car with 140,000 miles already on the clock is all part of the appeal.
"I thought it might be a good adventure," said 26-year-old Andrew, from Crookes.
"I wanted to do something a bit different before I have to settle down. It will be something to tell my grandkids and hopefully we can raise lots of money."
The friends, who both studied medicine at Sheffield University, have not yet finalised their route and there is some disagreement whether they want to risk driving through Iran.
While Andrew thinks it is probably not the best time to visit, James, also 26, said he thought it might be fun.
"I quite fancy Iran but the southern route is a bit dodgy," he said.
But whether the car makes it as far as that is questionable.
"This is a highly toned, well oiled machine," said Andrew.
"But it has got a little bit of rust and does need a bit of work. The fan has to be fixed and we need some all-terrain tyres and spotlights put on, as the countries we will be going through will put the car through a lot of stress through deserts, forests and mountains.
"Half the fun is breaking down and meeting people in the process. If your car doesn't break down something has gone wrong!
"When you do, you just hire a couple of camels and carry on! The whole purpose of the rally is to provide a bit of a challenge."
And the pair are doing away with modern technology.
"We're not taking satellite navigation equipment," said James, from Broomhill.
"It's illegal in Russia, and it would feel like cheating. But I'm definitely going to buy a map and compass even though the map will be useless once we get into Mongolia and head for the capital, Ulaan Baatar. Maps in Mongolia are notorious for not tallying with the actual roads - it's best to ask a local.
"I'm going to get key phrases written out in Russian and practice my universal sign language.
"I'm slightly apprehensive but pretty damn excited and its in aid of good causes."
The pair are hoping to raise more than £1,000 to be split between children's, agricultural and wildlife charities.
Anyone who would like to act as a sponsor or make a donation of money, car parts, camping equipment or raffle prizes should contact team Cannonball Hun by emailing AndrewHogg@doctors.org.uk.
2 comments:
ahh i wanna do that....sounds like fun..my little mazda truck would do good
I'd love to do that too, but I could smell my Ford Escort overheating on a 200 mile trip to the beautiful Lakedistrict.
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