Our seven foolhardy pioneer teams are arriving in Ecuador this week ready for what will no doubt prove to be yet another corker from The Adventurists. The aim is to drive their VW beetles from Quito to Rio de Janeiro. With the route completely free, teams will have a choice of tackling the Amazon Rain Forest or the Andes as they battle their way across the continent.
An invite to lunch with one of the Charities, La Fundacion Ecuatoriana de la Psoriasis, followed by a game of football will kick off the event nicely. The Launch will take place on Sunday 3rd February at the Plaza del Papa in Quito's Parque La Carolina. If you happen to be in the area, pop down between 11:00 and 12:00 am to wave the teams off.
The pioneers will attempt to make it to the finish in three to four weeks, but as this has never been done before, no one knows if they will even make it, never mind how long it will take. Take team Shame on Us, for example, who's Beetle conked out in a cloud of smoke within 100 yards of picking it up.
Whatever is set to happen, the Ruta del Sol is gonna provide some real stories. Stay tuned to the sms updates from the teams that will be appearing on the site as they get under way.