A group of Islanders are going the extra mile and more to raise funds for 2 local charities by taking part in the ‘Monte Carlo or Bust Banger Rally’, travelling from Ryde to Monte Carlo and back again in aging vehicles.
Team ‘Yeah baby!’ (made up of Edward Day, Pauline Vincent and Gill Rouse) set off from the Island early yesterday morning (Thursday) in a Union Jack-themed Jaguar, alongside Team ‘Wight Wild Life’ (made up of Tim Day, Georgia Day, Margaret Holloway and Dave ‘Hobbit’ Edwards’) in an old London taxi.
The 3-day event allows 80 cars from all over the UK to take part in the ‘Champagne Charlie’ route, where they will hit Europe’s greatest roads and cities. Each car is under £300 in value and decorated to the teams preference.
The challenge is being undertaken to raise funds for Aspire Ryde, a community project at the heart of Ryde and Autism Inclusion Matters (AIM), an Island-based group for adults who have Autism or Aspergers.
Having travelled across the channel yesterday, the teams will today set off from Saint-Quentin (North France), where they will visit the Reims- Gueux racing circuit before driving through the Champagne region and ending the first days driving in Dijon, the capital of Burgandy.
Saturday sees the cars burn rubber and break into Switzerland, around the magnificent Lake Geneva, before conquering the Alps and then travelling down into Italy.
The last day of the rally begins with a gathering at The National Automobile Museum, home to more than 200 Bella motors, before cruising across the border into France and having a whirl around the F1 track circuit.
Islanders can follow the fundraiser’s journey via their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MCOB.IOW/.
Donations can be made at https://www.aspireryde.org.uk/support/.
