The Challenge

The Challenge we have foolishly accepted is loosely based around the great Paris to Dakar rally – but for the poorer participant – called the Plymouth to Timbuktu Challenge, all in the name of charity.

The Plymouth to Timbuktu Challenge has a few rules;

1) The car must cost no more than £100

2) Spend no more than £15 on rally preparation

3) Hand the car over to the Rotary Club in Bamako for auction

4) All rules can be broken (except rule 3)

Departing on 10th January 2008, we are driving our desert beast 45oo miles in three weeks from Derby in the United Kingdom, through France and Spain to Morocco. After a night of camping we continue our drive through Morocco into the Western Sahara to Mauritania and then Timbuktu in Mali and then drop the car off in Bamako for the charity auction.

The Rally is COMPLETELY unsupported. If we break down, run out of diesel, get lost or get into any bother – we’re on our own. There are no support trucks, fixers, teams of medics, or for that matter, mechanics – we’ll just have to get ourselves out of it.

Then we have to catch a flight back to the UK. Hopefully.

On Perusing the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s advice, here’s what they have to say about our destinations…….

Morocco

There is a high threat from terrorism in Morocco. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

Morocco has a poor road safety record. Accidents are frequent, especially on busy major routes. The main road from Agadir to Marrakesh via Imi’nTanoute and Chichaoua has been reported as particularly hazardous.

Western Sahara

There is a high threat from terrorism, as there is in neighbouring Morocco. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.

Developments in the region may trigger public unrest, especially after Friday prayers. You should avoid large gatherings of people and demonstrations, which can turn hostile. Be particularly alert in public places.

You should avoid driving off road and take care on main roads especially when driving in more remote areas as there is a high risk of unexploded mines.

Mauritania

We advise against all but essential travel to the area near Mauritania’s border with Algeria, and the area near Mauritania’s northern border with Mali east of Nema, because of the risk of banditry, and the activities of armed smugglers and extremist groups.

There is a general threat from terrorism. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers

Plymouth-Dakar website for details

Please click on the above link to take you to the official Plymouth – Dakar website, which is used with kind permission.