Mangomatics Africa Run 09 » Getting-ready

Rally takes to high seas

Kevin Mann — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 12:32:00 +0000

With just days to go, the FCO changes it’s advice against ALL travel to Mauritania… Effectively blocking the only remaining land route to West Africa.

Most teams are determined to carry on. The most sensible option seems to be to ship cars on a RoRo ferry from London to Dakar. Obviously this is not the route [...]

Way to go!

Kevin Mann — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 01:01:37 +0000

In just over a week this misadventure will kick off from Dunsfold Park in Surrey, famed as the location of the Top Gear track. We’ve added a rough route for those of you who are interested to see where we’re likely to be headed from there.

As it happens, our passports are still cought up in [...]

Soothing pre-race wobbles

Kevin Mann — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:44:03 +0000

Our little Panda has become increasingly wobbly as we get closer to the start line. A mild jitter at 50mph a few weeks ago has gradually turned into the uncontrollable shakes, so this week it has been sent off for some TLC and probably some soothing reassurance about the challenge ahead.

While driving a skittish car [...]

Rejoice! A plan comes together.

Kevin Mann — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:55:04 +0000

Don’t you love it when a plan comes together? Of course that assumes that you have a plan in the first place, which inevitably I don’t. As I am never one to let such minor details get in the way of a positive outlook, I feel the mighty Mangomatics have cause to rejoice and celebrate [...]

Over £500 in one day!

Kevin Mann — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 06:14:53 +0000

A great big thank you to everyone who has donated so far. After just one day we have raised just over £500 for the Rainforest Foundation and had offers for help with equipment for the trip.

Please keep giving and contact us with any help you can offer on the gear we need!

Check out these related posts [...]

Fundraising campaign launch

Kevin Mann — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 21:51:15 +0000

With about 80 days to go before the start of the race, It’s about time I start preparations for the adventure. So this week I’m off to pick up the car I bought in Rome some weeks ago and give it a test run driving back to the UK (Italian roads are probably an ideal [...]

Can you spare any kit?

Kevin Mann — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 20:14:25 +0000

We are going to need some essential kit to help us on this adventure. Do you have any items you can donate?

Check out this section for the items we need. And feel free to use the comments tabs to suggest ideas or offer any items you can. As ever, ever little bit of hel is very much [...]

Co-driver vacancy

Kevin Mann — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 22:23:31 +0000

POSITION CLOSED!

Are you looking for an interesting, rewarding job … have an adventure and see the world? Then look no further! We have an exciting opening for a Co-Driver in our bid to reach Cameroon in the Adventurists’ Africa Rally 09.

All you need a (cleanish) driving license, a little cash in your pocket for Visas, [...]

Car stuff needed

Kevin Mann — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:34:51 +0000

There are no two ways around it… Our trusty little steed is going to take a pounding on the road. We are going to need a few essential spares:

Needed: Spare tyres for a Fiat Panda (as many as we can carry probably)

Needed: Tyre inner tubes to make puncture repairs simpler

Needed: Prepping the car with better [...]

Cooking bits needed

Kevin Mann — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:22:40 +0000

All that driving certainly builds up an appetite! So we’ll need some basic provisions and the means of transforming whatever ingredients we find on our way into culinary delights. Can you ‘lend’ us a pan or two?

Needed: Something to cook with, preferably a petrol cooker or two (unleaded)

Needed: Any old small pots or pans for boiling [...]