The Challenge

The 2007 Plymouth-Dakar Challenge is the fifth running of what has been called the 'Ultimate Banger Challenge'. The premise of the Challenge is simple: to get from Plymouth to Dakar (well, actually Banjul in Gambia) in vehicles purchased for under £100 and equipped for just £15. Sunspots are one of over 200 teams taking part in this year's challenge.

There are several start dates for different groups, we expect to leave Sheffield on Saturday 16 December 2006 and reach Banjul in mid January. Unless, of course, we encounter a great big sand dune.

There are just a five rules to the Challenge:-

1. Competing cars must cost less than £100.
2. Maximum budget for the vehicle Rally Preparation: £15.
3. Once on the road, there will be no form of formal assistance from the organisers in any way - Teams are ON THEIR OWN.
4. All vehicles that make it to Banjul must be handed over to the Challenge Control Group to be auctioned under controlled conditions (reported to The Gambian Government) in aid of local Gambian Charities.
5. All vehicles must be LEFT-HAND DRIVE!!

The LHD rule is necessary because The Gambia is a left-hand-drive country. RHD vehicles are not really welcome in The Gambia. The PDC has become so popular that this ruling has been introduced in order to ensure that the Challenge continues to receive the warm welcome extended by the Government and People of The Gamabia.

As the (dis)organiser Julian Nowill says "Rules are made to be broken ..."

"(Except Rules 4 and 5)" Which is quite lucky as Sunspots have already broken rules 1 and 2!



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