So you fancy yourself as the next coming of Markko Martin wheeling the latest WRC Ford Focus RS thru the many switchbacks and sweeping turns during the Cyprus Rally. Then reality sets in, the cappuccino machine is on the fritz, the dog needs its rabies shots, and the wifes birthday is next month. What will you do to satisfy your racers dream?

In a world that shrinks by the day, where air travel can whisk you from your home and safely deposit you anywhere on earth in less than a day, where going travelling has come to mean nothing more than a package holiday for middle-class teenagers and where you can buy a travel guide to the most remote of corners, what room is there for people who want some real adventure? Gone are the days when you could walk off the edge of the map with nothing more than your wits and a pith helmet for protection. It is into this barren world that the ultimate solution has arrived: THE MONGOL RALLY.

The planned route starts in London north though Europe to Moscow. The next leg takes winds its way south into Kazakhstan.The final leg is North again, back into Russia and lastly south to the Mongolian capital Ulan Bator. The cars is where those of us with budgetary constraints can make the leap into the rally world. No multi-millionares needed. We make this trip behind the wheel of crap cars.

What is the point of setting out on an adventure if the end result is a foregone conclusion? In this light what would the point of the Mongol Rally be if you could do it in a Land Rover? The only hurdle you would face would be remembering to fill the petrol tank. Enter the crap car. Any car that has more than 1000cl of go is strictly forbidden as over-powered, and considered a risk to your ability to have fun.

My first choice is a 1971 Ford Pinto, but its a little over powered to meet the rules. Maybe a Citroen CV2 is a more fitting choice.

If you want to make modifications to your steed of choice, by all means feel free, just remember not to make things too easy for yourself. In terms of essentials for equipping your car to tackle a 10 000 mile journey all you really need is a couple of big jerry cans for petrol to cover the longer of the gaps between petrol stations. The rest depends somewhat on your car. A good stash of spare tyres is another good plan. It is a good idea to have some knowledge of mechanics so, if you don't have a clue which end of a torque wrench goes where, we recommend you purchase a Haynes manual and have a good nose around before you go.

And just think all this fun and the proceeds go to charity.

As it says on the front page, the Mongol Rally is a charity event. The minimum donation per car is £1000 (except this year, see 2004 page. You can of course raise this however you want, sponsorship, making jam, selling your body, what ever makes the most money. If you raise more than the minimum you can either keep on giving (recommended) or use it to help cover the cost of things like petrol. £1000 might sound a lot but its only £500 per person and for a 10 000 mile race thats 5p a mile. Easy. The money will be going to an excellent charity with the sadly terrible name Send a Cow. Read on to find out more.

Cross Posted @ my "Home Track"