Clementine's Garage
Clementine the Cat
 
Image of flower
Yellow R4
 
home my cars restoration tech tips guides forum
Réparateur d'automobiles

Clementine and the Dakhla Challenge

malcolm

malcolm

& Clementine the Cat
Messages
4,608
Location
Bedford UK
I'm booked on a banger rally in April ending up at Dakhla in the Western Sahara. The plan seems to be to drive down to the Atlas mountains in Morocco and then go off-road for 500 miles or so across the edge of the Sahara as far as the coast. The web page is here: http://www.dakarchallenge.co.uk/challenge/dakhla+challenge/

The original plan was to take a Renault 4 as it would be perfect for the trip, but it turns out I don't have one I'm willing to leave down there that isn't too rusty to get anywhere near an MOT.

So I've bought a Super 5 on eBay that failed the MOT with rust. Will post progress as I go along.
 
  • renault5.jpg
    renault5.jpg
    44.9 KB · Views: 339
Ought to be an experience. I've been reading a book about how to drive around the Sahara but it's orientated towards more serious trecks than I hope to do.

I've found instructions for lowering the R5 so I'm planning to raise mine. Not sure it's necessary but it should make it look more the part. Two R5s in the workshop now.
 
good luck you brave man. out of interest, what is the cost of this adventure?
 
The entry fee is £250. But then the same again and again in buying the car, insuring it, driving it down there, living for 2 weeks, then flying back. Probably will work out a bit pricey. Makes a change from knocking around here.

I've got 2 Renault 5s in the workshop just now, and no Renault 4s :(.

two-r5s.jpg
 
malcolm said:
I've got 2 Renault 5s in the workshop just now, and no Renault 4s :(.
Click to expand...

Ok, i'm not too up to date on your R4 ownership, but no R4 in the workshop sounds good going to me, means its out on the road.
 
That's reminded me - there's one in there now. :D Planning to take the head down to the engine place at the same time as the TX. Waiting for parts for the other one.

It's really cold in there!
 
  • r4.jpg
    r4.jpg
    128.8 KB · Views: 270
PS - Dakhla challenge is still open for entries if you are free in April and you can drive the car home if you want. Renault 4s would be perfect.
 
think dad, work and college will be kinda annoyed if I disappeared in April with the Saab 96 and so would the bank, since I have some money saved for a Motorbike holiday trip up to Scotland (2500miles est).

Tell you what, you be RandD Guy and tell us what its like and i'll think about it next year ;)

wish my dad's shed came close to that well, i have to hide all my tools and parts in my room to stop them going missing >.>
 
I know the feeling, I have a driveway to work on which is nice but a room full or car bits and old computers !
One side of the room a stack of old acorn computers a BBC Micro and some later Archimedes and on the other some drive shafts and the steering rack of an R4 and an airconditioning compressor and towbar mount! (not all R4)

(After having some stuff stolen i'm dead against leaving stuff outside)
 
malcolm said:
Ought to be an experience. I've been reading a book about how to drive around the Sahara but it's orientated towards more serious trecks than I hope to do.

I've found instructions for lowering the R5 so I'm planning to raise mine. Not sure it's necessary but it should make it look more the part. Two R5s in the workshop now.
Click to expand...

I've been reading a book called "How to build a successful low-cost rally car". It's very relevant to banger rallies – written by a man who has done several, including I think the Dakhla Challenge.
 
Just put your foot down, the road has to go somewhere :D - thats rallye
 
I might have to consider doing something along those lines in a year or two / three.

I like the idea of a 'proper' banger rally where you actually do something thats a bit of a challenge. Too many just look stupid / easy - buy an 'old / cheap' car (usually something like a mid '90s Mondeo etc), cover it in Womble fur to make it 'wacky' then drive from the UK to somewhere in mainland Europe on decent roads all the way. I don't see much of a challenge in that. The rally Malcolm is doing looks loads better!

Anyway, with another addition to family Lobster due at the beginning of April theres no chance of me going this year unless I really fancy some domestic disharmony!
 
It would have been good to do the Daklha this year but not enough time now with work and other things but there's a very good chance that i will do it next year, so plenty of time tos plan and get things ready ( and save up the funds ) have to see who will come with though.
 
Hi there; Dakhla calling!!!
So great to see your entry; think you will be quite at home here as we have a lot of Renault 4's & 5's in daily use; they restore even the most hopeless cases as MOT is not a requirement here!!!! we will enjoy showing you the restoration shops in town when you arrive.
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us
All the very best for your trip down, see you in Dakhla
 
Hi jocoro,

I've been in a taxi in Morocco where I could see the road through the floor. :D

I'm looking forward to the trip. I've been driving around in the Renault 5 and it seems reliable. We'll probably fit a sump guard and petrol tank guard to be safe on the tracks. Hopefully the car will be put to good use after the trip.

It will be good to see the Renault 4s. They are rare here!
 
Yeah has the Sahara eaten our fearless friend.

Do we send out search and rescue parties??
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2025 XenForo Ltd.
Back
Top