The sixth edition of the mighty Mongol Rally has thundered forth from simultaneous launches in England, Spain and Italy and well over 400 teams are now adventuring their way to a monster party in a castle in the Czech Republic.
On Saturday 18th July Goodwood Motor Circuit in the UK played host to the Festival of Slow and almost 300 teams, complete with a parade lap of the race track and official starter Nick Hewer. In Spain the teams gathered in Barcelona for the off and in Italy Milan was the host of the brave rally teams.
In the UK, Goodwood was temporarily declared the Independent Republic of Adventurism and glorious mayhem prevailed. A furry fire engine, ambulances, London taxis, a batmobile and a plethora of other splendidly silly vehicles packed out the paddocks. Russian policemen, Cossack dancers and musicians roamed around the Festival as teams prepared for the off.
The attire of the ralliers was similarly marvellous. Teams were proudly sporting a range of tweeds, formal dinner suits, shirts so loud that nearby ears were seen to be bleeding, jumpsuits, pirate paraphenalia and even a wedding dress.
Tears were of course shed by many a mother, as is the rally tradition, and backs were heartily slapped as the reality of the adventure ahead dawned on the teams. In most quarters optimism was running high and confidence abundant, and where the brief glimpse of doubt reared it's ugly head representatives of the Festival of Slow were heard shouting incoherently and passionately about adventurism and the fact that it's all supposed to go wrong anyway and getting stuck in the middle of nowhere is ruddy good fun.
To get into the spirit of things at least one team broke down in the paddock and another ground to a halt on their parade lap, setting the tone nicely for the journey ahead. Organisers also reported a number of teams seemed to leave their passports behind and wished those particular teams all the very best of luck.
After a morning of celebrating the concept of 'slow' in the lovely surroundings of Goodwood Motor Circuit the tiny engines spluttered into action for the parade lap. Every team was able to start their journey to Mongolia with a lap of the historic race track. Over 3,500 people came along to the festival so the public viewing galleries overlooking the start line were packed with spectators as the teams officially began their rally.
Nick Hewer, from the BBC show The Apprentice and a rallier himself (he did the rally last year on his own) very kindly came down to wave the starting flag and kick off the rally in style, wishing the teams well for the long old adventure to Mongolia.
The Adventurists HQ expressed their thanks to the teams mainly for behaving themselves which means that hopefully Goodwood will have the rally back again next year! The organisers also extended their gratitude to Nick Hewer for waving the flag and the Goodwood team for providing a top notch venue.
The teams are now sending in updates from the road as they head towards a large castle in Czech Republic where a party on a gargantuan scale is to be staged this evening!
You can follow the updates here.
On Saturday 18th July Goodwood Motor Circuit in the UK played host to the Festival of Slow and almost 300 teams, complete with a parade lap of the race track and official starter Nick Hewer. In Spain the teams gathered in Barcelona for the off and in Italy Milan was the host of the brave rally teams.
In the UK, Goodwood was temporarily declared the Independent Republic of Adventurism and glorious mayhem prevailed. A furry fire engine, ambulances, London taxis, a batmobile and a plethora of other splendidly silly vehicles packed out the paddocks. Russian policemen, Cossack dancers and musicians roamed around the Festival as teams prepared for the off.
The attire of the ralliers was similarly marvellous. Teams were proudly sporting a range of tweeds, formal dinner suits, shirts so loud that nearby ears were seen to be bleeding, jumpsuits, pirate paraphenalia and even a wedding dress.
Tears were of course shed by many a mother, as is the rally tradition, and backs were heartily slapped as the reality of the adventure ahead dawned on the teams. In most quarters optimism was running high and confidence abundant, and where the brief glimpse of doubt reared it's ugly head representatives of the Festival of Slow were heard shouting incoherently and passionately about adventurism and the fact that it's all supposed to go wrong anyway and getting stuck in the middle of nowhere is ruddy good fun.
To get into the spirit of things at least one team broke down in the paddock and another ground to a halt on their parade lap, setting the tone nicely for the journey ahead. Organisers also reported a number of teams seemed to leave their passports behind and wished those particular teams all the very best of luck.
After a morning of celebrating the concept of 'slow' in the lovely surroundings of Goodwood Motor Circuit the tiny engines spluttered into action for the parade lap. Every team was able to start their journey to Mongolia with a lap of the historic race track. Over 3,500 people came along to the festival so the public viewing galleries overlooking the start line were packed with spectators as the teams officially began their rally.
Nick Hewer, from the BBC show The Apprentice and a rallier himself (he did the rally last year on his own) very kindly came down to wave the starting flag and kick off the rally in style, wishing the teams well for the long old adventure to Mongolia.
The Adventurists HQ expressed their thanks to the teams mainly for behaving themselves which means that hopefully Goodwood will have the rally back again next year! The organisers also extended their gratitude to Nick Hewer for waving the flag and the Goodwood team for providing a top notch venue.
The teams are now sending in updates from the road as they head towards a large castle in Czech Republic where a party on a gargantuan scale is to be staged this evening!
You can follow the updates here.