Departure Village of the Students Challenge
On December 27, 2008 the participants will meet in the town of departure.
A “departure village” will allow participating teams, sponsoring companies and participating schools to gather and meet. During this intense time, MAÏENGA will carry out technical and administrative verifications (vehicle conformity, passport numbers, insurance, technical check of the vehicle, drivers license), and participants will meet with a doctor.
The trip to Morocco – 1st part of the Students Challenge
Teams are on their own for the drive to ALGECIRAS. The only constraint is that each team must phone the organisation, during each part of the Spanish trip, in order for their progress and safety to be monitored. A follow vehicle will bring up the rear in order to help out any teams experiencing problems.
All vehicles will meet in ALGECIRAS on the evening of December 29 for the boat crossing to TANGIERS. Road and night to Meknes. Saturday morning : briefing and first leg on Moroccan soil.
All vehicles will meet in ALGECIRAS on the evening of December 29 for the boat crossing to TANGIERS. Road and night to Meknes. Saturday morning : briefing and first leg on Moroccan soil.
A typical Moroccan day during the Students Challenge
In the morning, after a typical Moroccan breakfast, each team receives the road-book containing the necessary information for reaching today’s arrival point. Then the vehicles set off for a day of desert driving: navigation, with an eye on their watches... Here it is not speed that counts: this is a regularity event, where precise navigation is all-important.
Each team has a certain amount of time to locate the next check-point (CP). Neither too fast nor too slow: each team must manage its own leg. At the end of the day, each vehicle stops at the arrival CP to validate the day’s leg. Then they sort the day’s garbage, take care of mechanics... Now it is time for an animated rendezvous around the campfire to talk about the day’s events. The evening ends with a Moroccan supper under starry skies… with their feet in the sand! The 31st of december, New year's day in the dunes !
A special “Green Day” in the middle of the Raid will provide a powerful experience with the local populations. Participants will participate in an ecological project, aimed at prevention (by explaining simple actions for preserving natural resources) and setting up a special project: planting trees to combat desertification.
A special “Green Day” in the middle of the Raid will provide a powerful experience with the local populations. Participants will participate in an ecological project, aimed at prevention (by explaining simple actions for preserving natural resources) and setting up a special project: planting trees to combat desertification.
The official arrival of the Students Challenge
The official arrival is planned for January 4, 2009 at the end of a marathon leg (a 2-day leg with the night spent camping out in the desert). On Sunday January 4, 2009 the event will officially close with the prize giving during dinner. Then at night: Party time !
All teams will set out for Tangiers the next day, and the return trip to Europe.
All teams will set out for Tangiers the next day, and the return trip to Europe.