Mac 4x4 Challenge 2009

[Terranosaurus]

Some of you may rememer tat the other year Steve Ray (IIRC) was supported in his fund raising for Mac x4 Challenge by the club. Anyway I put an entry in in April last year but ended up as a reserve. I got a cll just before xmas to say I'm in as someone dropped out, I am Team 33.

If you don't know the Mac 4x4 Challenge it is a unique, event in the UK at least, for 4x4s. The emphasis (I gather) is on navigation but theres a fair amount of driving both on and off the road involved. Last years event started in England, went to wales, Eire, NI, Scotlad and then back to England. This years event runs 6th - 8th March.

It runs over 3 days, Friday morn to Sunday aft/eve and covers a nominal 1000 miles but as there is no fixed route for some of it theres no precise mileage. The route is secret till the start and even the start venue isn't announced till near to the event. There are navigation ad other challenges at various points around the route, pay & play centres and forestry etc are used but there are also night time navigation excercises on the roads I beleive.

Its called the "Mac" 4x4 Challenge as the whole thing is run in support of MacMillan Cancer Support. Each competitor has to raise a minimum of £600 for Macmillan, plus of course they have to pay the £150 entry and all other costs.

Theres no official hotels or campsites on route so any sleeping is done in (or on) the truck or by it in a tent (people pitched tents in the ferry carpark last year) but there is a dinner and awards do at the finish at a hotel included as part of the entry.

Anyway I'm doing it in my T2, she should cope admirally, the first event was won by a LWB T2 in 2002, but am putting some of my planned mods on hold for now as I won't need them for the Mac. 3/4 of the 60 car entry is Landrovers, but I'd rather be in a nice warm, dry Jap truck anyday, the rest are

3 Cherokee
2 Fronties
1 HIlux Smurf
1 Isuzu
1 Landcruiser
2 Pajero
2 Wrangler
& 3 TBC

So I'll be te only Nissan by the lok of it.


I'll be setting up a "just giving" account shortly and if anyone would like to donate please do so that way. Its the best way as if you're a tax payed justgiving can claim tax releive on the money you donate. If anyone has any ideas for raising money or would like to help out please let me know. The Mac holds a charity auction at the event so if you work for somewhere that might be willing to donate something then please let me know, due credit will be given to the donor of course.