Landy Rally Euro 4x4 Charity Drive 14-22 Sept 2011

The dates for Landy Rally 2011 have been announced … 14th to 22nd September 2011. Unlike previous years, these new dates don’t clash with either LRO Peterborough or Abingdon 4x4 Festival, as Landy Rally now falls directly between both shows!

What exactly is Landy Rally?

Launched in 2007, Landy Rally is a 3,000 mile / 4,500 km non-speed charity drive for all makes of non-modified 4x4 vehicle. Covering 11 countries in 9 days, teams raise funds for their nominated charities, no min/max limits. Although not mandatory, it's also a semi-competitive event for those who like a challenge, as teams can gain points via a series of 'treasure hunt' type daily tasks that culminate in trophies and awards for the successful crews.

Starting in Valkenburg near Maastricht, Holland, we pass through the Black Forest in Germany, drive the legendary Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps plus a further two mountain passes, BBQ & off-roading at Val d’Isère in the French Alps (the largest and highest off-road site in Europe at 2,700m), camping alongside Lake Como in Italy, a night at a Mediterranean beach resort in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, shopping in the duty-free Principality of Andorra, driving across the magical Spanish Pyrenees (tarmac & off-road including two evening dinners included in the entry fee), off-road driving + BBQ with a local french 4x4 club in the beautiful Dordogne region, concluding with a prize-giving dinner in Calais. All this plus the teams have raised thousands for their nominated charities every year – over £100,000 since we started! Who can ask for more? The camaraderie and fun associated with Land Rally is an experience you will never forget!!

See http://www.landyrally.com for details.

How was the Landy Rally 2011??? Anyone Go?

TJ

I did (strange that as I organised it), but I have to say it was a bit of a disaster. If something could have gone wrong, in most cases it did. The main problem was that we ran out of Officials. In previous years we always had a second Official's vehicle, usually driven by the Event Manager, who would deal with any problems as they arose ... or even better if we got wind of a potential problem, they would solve the problem before the teams even got there.

Last year this wasn't possible as virtually the Officials, all of whom were unpaid volunteers it must be said, couldn't make it for one reason or another. Money was the key factor, as how could folk justify swanning around Europe on a jolly when there were mortage payments to be met at home? Difficult! Basically, because there were a smaller amount of teams last year I thought I could cope with just one vehicle (mine) with the Event Manager alongside me ... WRONG ... so when problems occured, they couldn't be solved readily. Mind you, the clutch going on my RR certainly didn't help as it lost us some valuable time; didn't stop us off-roading in the MPV hire car though!!!

That said, we did see some awesome scenery and had some great fun along the way. Once again, the tasks really saved the day, and out of it all friendships were established, memories formed and all the while, many charities gained financially through the team's fund-raising activites. Yes there were better Landy Rallies, but that's because I've seen been around for all five and seen them from a complerely different perspective to the teams themselves. I'll let others give their views and opinions, you'll find me behind that wall over there wearing my tin hat!

Some memories ...





















Look carefully at the last photo, you'll see the road has been carved into the rock - spectacular!

I suppose, looking back, it wasn't all bad.

No Tom it wasn't all bad, I met some great people and saw some magnificent sights.

I know hindsight is 20/20 vision but if you would have shared a little more information with the participants and not tried to tough it out I think the calibre of people on the trip would have all pulled together and formed a plan to help out in all area's.

Unfortunately the whole group only really got together a couple of times once in Tor, the caamp site in Spain and the night at Val d'siere which was the night you arrived late because of your breakdown (vehicle not mental) the rest of the trip the participants splintered off into small cliques. Which was a shame as I had expected long night's around a roaring fire sharing tales and anecdotes.

Anyway that said I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for the experience without your event I would not have had my life enriched by such a fantastic trip, and raised nearly £2k for our charity and that was the important bit not only did the Landy Rally change my life it also changed the lives of loads of children and families in the Cairo garbage village.

Thank you !!

I am also looking forward to your new venture later in the year, I am hoping to get some idea's and kit to allow me to prepare my new vehicle to take a trip around Europe next year and I will be shamelessly be following some of the Landy Rally routes down through France, Andorra and Spain.

If all goes well with the Europe trip I am looking to go further a field in my retirement and possible head overland to the far east and maybe as far as Australia who knows it seems a long way off but like ground rush it comes up quickly to meet you and before you know it the opportunities in life pass you by.

Have to agree about your sentiment - "before you know it the opportunities in life pass you by". Don't they just!

Thanks for the kind words, probably hit the nail on the head. Privately several others have said how much they enjoyed it last year, but of course they didn't see how well other years in Landy Rally went and how much more fun we had - and that was having to organise 30+ vehicles!

Still, can't take away the scenery, the dreaded tasks (something I aways creating and seeing the results of, not to mention and hearing the stories about), the new friends met, the charity benefited. End of an era.

Talking of Landy Rally ...

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290697409293?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

upps ! you're guys are amazing ! I have checked out your all pictures which you have shared but I notice in your last pic & found road has been carved into the rock ! It was a matter to notice & that I noticed in your last pictures ! accept it your all pictures are very nice !

Thanks Alina. We had 5 fun years running Landy Rally and saw some amazing sights, but all good things must come to an end.

LANDY RALLY RIP