Plymouth - Dakar Challenge History
Julian Nowill created the concept of the 'Banger Challenge' in 2002 to take the piss out of the real Dakar, showing that people on a limited budget can go where the big boys go. The 3-week Banjul Challenge continues to the finishing line in Banjul, The Gambia, where the LHD cars are auctioned for charity.
In December 2002, the first group of hopeful souls left the UK in a motley collection of vehicles, optimistically believing that Julian Nowill knew what he was doing, and had substance and experience behind his words. This first event was a great success and most of the 42 Teams even made it to Banjul. This Challenge is now in its eighth year!
Julian Nowill created the concept of the 'Banger Challenge' in 2002 to take the piss out of the real Dakar, showing that people on a limited budget can go where the big boys go. The 3-week Banjul Challenge continues to the finishing line in Banjul, The Gambia, where the LHD cars are auctioned for charity.
In December 2002, the first group of hopeful souls left the UK in a motley collection of vehicles, optimistically believing that Julian Nowill knew what he was doing, and had substance and experience behind his words. This first event was a great success and most of the 42 Teams even made it to Banjul. This Challenge is now in its eighth year!
The Plymouth-Dakar Challenge is NOT a race or otherwise competitive event. There are no time trials included within the suggested route and none are encouraged. There are no prizes or recognition for being first at any of the suggested stop-over points or the final destination.
After crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco, the Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal and The Gambia are called at successively. The route travels mostly on tarmac roads, but the highlight is the two-day crossing of the Sahara Desert.
The journey is approximately 5.000 kilometers and can comfortably be covered in three weeks (if all goes well). The Challenge really starts in Southern Spain. Ahead lies Sand, Sea and ... even more sand. Experience the heat of the desert sun, and the challenge of nursing a knackered car all the way to destinations that most people would only consider flying to.
Up to Guerguarat - situated in the south of the Western Sahara, at the border of Mauritania - everything should be going smoothly. In Guerguarat the real adventure begins. It is the starting point of the Atlantic Route, which is the most frequently used route straight across the Sahara, from Guerguarat up to Nouakchott. During the first 320 kms - from Guerguarat up to Nouamghar - several sand dunes have to be overcome. If we will ever be needing our shovels, this will be the place. From Nouamghar to Nouakchott, the route continues over the beach, which can only be crossed at low tide. It is said the beach is covered with car and bus wrecks, that didn’t reach the dunes in time.
In Senegal, a customs officers’ escort is provided for us. Customs officers
accompany the participants to be sure that no vehicles are sold in
Senegal. Motor vehicles older than 5 years are not welcome in this country
The Objective of the Plymouth Banjul Challenge
The objective is to raise money for the registered charities in The Gambia. Normally vehicles and equipment are auctioned off under government supervision at arrival.
40 % of the funds are divided equally between ASSET (Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism) and GNOC (Gambia National Olympic Committee). The remaining 60 % will be divided by the Grants Allocation Sub-Committee under several NGO’s who are engaged in activities that support children, youth and sports development associations and small scale tourism projects.
After crossing the Strait of Gibraltar, Morocco, the Western Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal and The Gambia are called at successively. The route travels mostly on tarmac roads, but the highlight is the two-day crossing of the Sahara Desert.
The journey is approximately 5.000 kilometers and can comfortably be covered in three weeks (if all goes well). The Challenge really starts in Southern Spain. Ahead lies Sand, Sea and ... even more sand. Experience the heat of the desert sun, and the challenge of nursing a knackered car all the way to destinations that most people would only consider flying to.
Up to Guerguarat - situated in the south of the Western Sahara, at the border of Mauritania - everything should be going smoothly. In Guerguarat the real adventure begins. It is the starting point of the Atlantic Route, which is the most frequently used route straight across the Sahara, from Guerguarat up to Nouakchott. During the first 320 kms - from Guerguarat up to Nouamghar - several sand dunes have to be overcome. If we will ever be needing our shovels, this will be the place. From Nouamghar to Nouakchott, the route continues over the beach, which can only be crossed at low tide. It is said the beach is covered with car and bus wrecks, that didn’t reach the dunes in time.
In Senegal, a customs officers’ escort is provided for us. Customs officers
accompany the participants to be sure that no vehicles are sold in
Senegal. Motor vehicles older than 5 years are not welcome in this country
The Objective of the Plymouth Banjul Challenge
The objective is to raise money for the registered charities in The Gambia. Normally vehicles and equipment are auctioned off under government supervision at arrival.
40 % of the funds are divided equally between ASSET (Association of Small Scale Enterprises in Tourism) and GNOC (Gambia National Olympic Committee). The remaining 60 % will be divided by the Grants Allocation Sub-Committee under several NGO’s who are engaged in activities that support children, youth and sports development associations and small scale tourism projects.
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