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Two Engineers, a Politician and a Saab 99 drive to Africa
November 27th, 2006 by Ryan - 0 Comments
This just in from Team Sanddodgers in the U.K.
Sanddodgers Press Release November 2006
Two Engineers and a Politician drive to Africa
Team Sanddodgers, a three man team of two engineers and a political adviser have been
selected to compete in this years Plymouth-Banjul rally, a 4000 mile test of skill, endurance and
innovation from the UK to The Gambia in a left hand drive car costing less than £100.
The Plymouth to Banjul Challenge, now in its fifth year, was begun in 2003 by some eccentric
Englishmen from Plymouth. For those teams and engineering firms who have the money, the
Paris Dakar Rally is the most prestigious test of automotive skill and endurance, for those with
considerably less money and sense, the Plymouth to Banjul rally was instituted as an adventure
that would raise money for charity as well as being even more challenging than the professional
rally.Together Jonathan Farley, PhD student in Mechanical Engineering, Peter Laurie, Systems
Engineer from London Tube Company Metronet, and Gareth Wallace, Parliamentary Officer for
Christian Charity Evangelical Alliance, who met at Brunel University will be putting their skills to
the test as they drive a 1978 Saab 99 Turbo, designed for use in the snowy hilltops of Sweden
through the distinctly warmer climes of the Western Sahara.“This is a brilliant challenge for any engineer, innovation is part of our training!” remarks
Jonathan, in his second year of a PhD researching Motorsport transmissions. “Although I have
worked on cars since my teens, little will prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead. We’ll have
to think on our feet and come up with many an innovative solution!”.Due to the strict rules, their food, tools, spares and petrol money is being raised by companies
and individuals being invited to sponsor an A4 square on the side of their car for £55 each. Team
Sanddodgers need to raise £2000 by selling their 42 squares to cover the cost of taking part in
this rally of a lifetime.Through a number of fundraising events including a charity gig and online auction, the team have
already raised nearly £4000 for charity but aim to raise a total of £10000 for international aid
organisation Tearfund and UK based cancer support Charity MacMillan.
Further information on the team, the car, the route, the fundraising activities and the
challenges that lay ahead can be found at http://www.sanddodgers.co.uk.Notes to editors:-
Team Sanddodgers are driving a classic 1978 SAAB 99 Turbo, more information on the website. All donations of spare parts for this rare and unusual motor will be gratefully received.
The team are also producing merchandise to raise money for their charities. They are producing T-shirts and Christmas Cards which can be purchased through their website.
Over 15 companies or organisations including Evian, Danone Group, Spar and Pensworth are already sponsoring the team but with 7 squares left to sell, there is still room for more.
Further info on the team, the route, the fundraising events they are planning, how to donate to the charities or to sponsor the team can be found at the Sanddodgers website, http://www.sanddodgers.co.uk
Media enquiries please contact
Jonathan Farley on 07787872886
E-mail theteam@sanddodgers.co.uk
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Posted: November 27th, 2006 under 2000-2009, 99.
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