Motortrades Insight Magazine Online
'Road Trip': OAP gang-of-four to drive around world in The Ultimate Challenge
AN ENTHUSIASTIC gang of four elderly gentlemen, all aged over 70, are to take on the greatest motoring challenge on earth - in a bid to raise thousands for good causes.The Ultimate Challenge is masterminded by Les Carvall, a somewhat reluctant retiree from Lymington.
While on holiday, Les began to think he needed a project to keep himself active and was inspired by seeing a convoy of cars participating in the Paris to Peking Rally.
This was the flash of inspiration needed and the Ultimate Challenge was born.
"We want to undertake this challenge to show that age is no barrier to getting up and getting on with living life and giving something back to society while we still have time," Les said.
The Charity 'Heaven Can Wait I'm Busy' was formed and the Ultimate Challenge is to be the first major activity planned to raise money for Save the Children, Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington and other worthy causes.
After two years of planning, the Ultimate Challenge team made up of Les and 3 friends - with a combined age of 297 - will leave the UK on March 31, 2013.
Their journey will take them through 16 countries, three continents and across two major oceans, taking approximately six months and 28,000 miles to complete.
Preparation for the journey has included the selection and modification of two Suzuki Jimnys - chosen for their durability and also to prove that such a gruelling journey could be undertaken in affordable compact off-roaders. The minor modifications include heavy duty front and rear bumpers, suspension modifications, all terrain tyres with steel rims and luggage racks.
The Ultimate Challenge team have also received instruction in car maintenance and repair from their local garage and physical training to cope with the variety of conditions they will encounter during the journey.
En-route, the team will be producing a film documenting their progress and everything they encounter during the journey which will be titled 'While We Have Time'. All proceeds from the film will be donated to Save the Children.
For further information on the Ultimate Challenge please visit www.heavencanwaitimbusy.com. Regular updates will be posted via Twitter @JimnyChallenge and Les's blog www.lescarvall.blogspot.co.uk/.
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