LONDON-ULAANBAATAR 19 July - August 2008 Drivers take on 8,000-mile Mongol Rally in junk cars

The 5th annual charity Mongol Rally, a 10,000-mile and approximately 22-day dash across a quarter of the earth's surface in underpowered and clapped-out cars begins in Hyde Park, London, on Jul 19 and ends in Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia in Central Asia. By the rules the rally vehicle must be purchased for less than US $1000 and have an engine of less than of 1 litre. Drivers can choose their own route through Europe, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Russia to Ulaanbaatar, the capital of Mongolia The route crosses five mountain ranges, two deserts and, according to the official website, has "more barren and inhospitable lands than you care to shake a gear-stick at."

Each of the approximately 200 teams from Europe and the United States must raise at least US $1976 for Mercy Corps, a charity providing aid to people living in poverty and areas of conflict. Other money they raise can go to charities of each team's choosing. MAY/08

RELATED READING:

Mongol Rally web
http://mongolrally.theadventurists.com/

Race to find new rally co-driver (BBC 14 May 2008)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/7401417.stm