Mongol Rally

Presentation of the Mongol Rally

The Mongol Rally, a real  adventure

Established in 2003, the Mongol Rally is an humanitarian rally starting from London (Hyde Park) in England  and that end in Ulan Bataar, the capital of Mongolia, 15000km away, without any assistance.

The humanitarian rally is commonly described by participants as the best adventure in the world. In fact, the Mongol Rally crosses over twenty countries and each crew travels around 13 000 Km with a small car that does not have an engine over 1000cc (or 1L).

Aboard old cars whose speed edge does not exceed the 100km/h, crews choose the road and speed of their choice to get to  Mongolia.
Some teams will pass through Northern Europe, others by central Europe, others from southern Europe, others by the Middle East. It takes about a month to get to Mongolia.

Here is an example of possible routes (others are of course possible):

The goal for participants is not the speed but to live an adventure in a sanitized world where the risk and adventure of everyday life has disappeared.
Participants must face themselves with autonomy and ingenuity in all situations because no help or assistance are provided during the trip (accommodation, meals, accident, breakdown, emergency repatriation, theft, death …) …
After Central Europe, the roads turn into tracks whatever the direction chosen
3/4 of the trip is “Off Road that means 10 000 km of tracks.
Cars are time tested and if they are not well prepared, the probability to get to Mongolia is fairly low.
After all, driving past Central Europe is dangerous because drivers drive fast, without licence, on roads in very poor condition, tested are widespread.

The raid years after years 

The first year in 2004, only 6 cars left and 2 arrived in Mongolia.
In 2005, 43 left and 18 arrived.
In 2006, 167 cars left and 117 arrived in Ulaan Baator.
In 2008, 200 cars took part in and about 140 have arrived
In 2009 about 300 cars will be in but nobody knows how many will get to the destination.

Cars

The organizers advice “a crap” to live more adventures.

In fact, the car may look bad, but must be firmly prepared (reinforced chassis, engine … again).

It is also advice to give a “Value Comedy” to  distinguish it and give an original     and unique style. To do this, we hope that a sponsor  that wants to put its logo on a huge object on our roof.
As originality prevails on speed, many original cars have already participated in the Mongol Rally: 4L Renault, Citroen 2CV, Citroen DS, London taxi, Austin Mini, Fiat 126, ice cream truck, ambulance, hearse …
The organizers themselves recognize that the car the most suited to the Mongol Rally is the citroen 2CV because its air engine is very reliable, it is naturally high, it weighs only 550kg empty and it has big wheels.
Each year, vehicles are abandoned on the roads due to failures irreparable.
Those who arrive in Mongolia are generally given to the NGO Mercy Corps who sells or reassigns to help local populations.

Humanitarian objectives

The Mongol Rally is based primarily on humanitarian values:

• In 2008, more than £ 200 000 (about € 300 000) that have been harvested.

• Since the beggining, it is £ 1 004 910 which were harvested (1.5 million).

• Each crew to take the start of the raid must pay more in addition to the inscription fee, the sum of £ 1000 (roughly 1500 euros) to support humanitarian organizations based in Mongolia. Thoses work to bring Mongolian’s children to school and provide assistance to needy families  of Mongolia. And support local communauties to developp themselves.

• In 2009, The Mongol Rally will bring £ 300 000 (or 450 000 euros) for NGO established in Mongolia