A buddy of mine over drinks today was telling me about something he plans to do at some point. So I looked it up. Seems like something quite a few of you crazies here would be interested in, for when the $200x Challenge, or Chumpcar, or BABE Rally is "just too easy" or "just too boring..."
I have actually known a few sets of friends who have gone through with this. Both had incredible stories to tell, and did the rally before graduating college. 1 group did essentially just what you posted - limited budget, small car, etc.. Second group was looking to do the same, but read how it was kind of a hassle that people would just drive there and leave junker cars in Mongolia. So they found a similarly organized rally (charity contributions, start/end points similar) that required a vehicle that could/would be donated to ambulance use in rural Mongolia where they don't have enough appropriate vehicles. They had some great stories about the people they met in similar vehicles, some who had run the race more than once. Priorities included keeping enough cash to bribe border agents and pay "tow trucks" when they broke down.
It really sounded amazing. Definitely risky depending on route, but you'll end up going through Turkey, Russia, and other places that may or may not be the typical travel destination.
classicJackets said:I have actually known a few sets of friends who have gone through with this. Both had incredible stories to tell, and did the rally before graduating college. 1 group did essentially just what you posted - limited budget, small car, etc.. Second group was looking to do the same, but read how it was kind of a hassle that people would just drive there and leave junker cars in Mongolia. So they found a similarly organized rally (charity contributions, start/end points similar) that required a vehicle that could/would be donated to ambulance use in rural Mongolia where they don't have enough appropriate vehicles. They had some great stories about the people they met in similar vehicles, some who had run the race more than once. Priorities included keeping enough cash to bribe border agents and pay "tow trucks" when they broke down.
It really sounded amazing. Definitely risky depending on route, but you'll end up going through Turkey, Russia, and other places that may or may not be the typical travel destination.
yeah if you read through the "rules" apparently it is a SOLID rule now that you can't leave the car there or scrap it, since apparently there are too many junk cars there already. They also mention the ambulances and that they used to do that, but now Mongolia has way too many ambulances and doesn't need any more.
With my DoD-related job, it would probably not be a great idea to go through several of the countries on the route, unfortunately (or fortunately). But still sounds like a lot of fun.
One of my best friends did it a few years ago in a Toyota echo. It sounded pretty epic. The following year he drove across India in a tuk tuk, which was almost as crazy.
I've read about that, several times. Really sounds awesome ... with the right travel partner(s). Sounds like a nightmare with the wrong one(s).
wow. I legitimately want to do that.
You'll need to log in to post.
