What is the Mongol Rally?
The Mongol Rally is 10,000 miles of messy, euphoric, adrenaline-filled adventure. The goal is to get your car or motorbike from London to Ulaanbaatar in a month, then auction your car off to charity. Actually, I think the following video gives a pretty good idea about what the Mongol Rally is.
Do you feel pumped? I know I do everytime I watch this video. Oh. I. Cannot. Wait. This is everything I have ever wanted in a travel adventure and then some! I am all kinds of excited now.
Raising Money for Charity
Epic adventure is not the only draw with with Mongol Rally. Raising money for charity is a HUGE part of the rally. Each team is required to raise at least 1,000 GBP for charity before the rally. Half of the money raise will go towards the rally’s charity, Lotus Children’s Centre Charitable Trust and the other half goes to a charity chosen by the team. If you ask me, I think my team (Charlie Grosso and I) can raise more than 1,000 GBP for charity!
At this point I’m not sure which charity I’ll be raising money for. Charlie and I still need to have a skype chat and decide if we’re going to raise money for one charity, or try to raise money for two. It’s a tough choice. There are so many fabulous charities out there.
What about the car?
Choosing a car for the rally is a challenge and hopefully a lot of fun as well. There are a couple of restrictions for the rally. The car has to have an engine size of 1.1 litres or less, the car must be registered after 2003, and taking a 4×4 or large vehicle is considered being a pansy. So, we’re looking at a small car, and no, it will not be a smart car (from what I’ve read, a smart car has never finished the rally).
The fun is just beginning!!
I made a commitment to the Mongol Rally less than a week ago, and I am obsessed. Seriously. I’m trying to not freak-out Charlie with my obsession. There is so much to do before the rally starts in July. One of the biggest things is to find sponsors for the rally and raise some money for charity. Both will be a lot of work, but I am totally up to the challenge. Bring it on!
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About Pamela
Loving your blog, new to me but huge respect. Only just started with the travel bug myself & wishing i could go full time (or more at least). More of a trekker but the Rally sounds immense! Best of luck!
Thanks so much! Welcome to the world of travel! Are you planning any trips right now?
I’m nervous and excited and nervous about the Mongol Rally. It’s going to be EPIC!!! Hahaha
Gosh, this looks like such an amazing and fun experience. Is the rally done on regular basis, I’d love to get involved!
Yep! The Mongol Rally takes place every year.
Hi fellow Mongol Rallier for 2012. I think I’ve taken to watching this video at least once a week and it still gives me goosebumps.
Hey!! OMG I love the video. I think I’ve watched it every day this week. Kind sad, but very true. I’m excited. I also have no idea how to buy a car in the UK while I’m in Canada. lol