Just Passing Through.

This week I had the pleasure of meeting two selfless men who are aiming to drive over 10,000 miles in a 800cc Perodua Nippa in order to complete the 2010 Mongol Rally.
Mike Collins and Ian Portbury are taking on this unbelievable or rather insane challenge. When they reach the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar the tiny car, with a top speed of 65mph, is being donated to the Mercy Corps so it can be sold off in aid of the charity.

Mike informed me that if someone in Mongolia wants to buy a car then they have to go to Russia or China. If they spend $500 on the car they then have to pay $2000 import tax to get it back into Mongolia, hence why they are donating the car so there is no tax to pay. When someone buys the car from the Mercy Corps then the money they pay will be put back into the area.

They will also leave the rest of their equipment, tents, pot, pans, etc with local families who can make use of them.

It's first time out for Ian, from Ellesmere Port, but Mike from Connah's Quay completed a similar rally two years ago from Plymouth to Banjul
The two friends, with a team name of “Don't Follow Us We're Lost Too”, set off with the other 119 teams taking part, from Goodwood on 24th July and aim to travel through France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Ukraine and Russia to their destination before the cut off date of 28th August. Other vehicles taking part are retired Green Godess's, Ambulances and even Jimmy Saville's old Bentley.

They are hoping to take in as many interesting sights as possible en route to ensure they make the most of their epic journey.
Both have put about £3000 of their own money into the challenge, but feel that it is worth it as they will be travelling a fair distance around the world and visiting some amazing sights.

As there is no set route for the teams to follow the two took the opportunity to take a detour to Kusadasi and have a 3 day stop over, as Mike's Dad, Mike Snr owns a property in the area so they thought it would be a good idea to get freshened up, have a few decent nights sleep and service the car as well as visit the popular attractions of Ephesus and Sirince.

They are also raising money for Lupus UK as Ian's partner and her sister both suffer from the incurable immune system illness. Lupus is a very difficult condition to diagnose, as it has many symptoms. It can damage a number of major organs, in particular the kidney's, in an irreversible way. There are thought to be over 50,000 suffers in the UK.

To donate to Lupus UK via Ian & Mike, go to

www.justgiving.com/ian-portbury

To follow Mike & Ian's progress log onto their Facebook page

Mongol Rally 2010 – Don't Follow Us, We're Lost Too!