The ‘2008 Blue Print Rally’ is primarily to raise funds for BEN, which is the automotive industry charity who aim to provide care and support for employees within the motor sector (and their dependants) in times of need.
In addition to BEN, the Blue Print team - "The Blues Print Brothers", will also be supporting the Kent Air Ambulance.
Starting on 17th May, up to 30 teams have to drive from the ADL Blue Print head office in Marden, Kent, across Europe through France and Spain on a 'scenic' route, finishing at Blue Print's Portuguese offices located just outside Lisbon on 23rd May. That's almost 2000 miles which must be completed in just seven days. You may think that sounds easy...well it might be if the teams used nice new cars!...
Each team must purchase a roadworthy car costing no more than £500 which must be Japanese or Korean in origin (i.e. Subaru, Kia, Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, etc). These sub £500 cars must be totally road legal and be able to transport the teams through France, Spain and Portugal....and possibly back again!
Each team must also raise a minimum of £100 for BEN, and it is hoped that £5000 will be raised by the end of the event.
The most important rules are to drive carefully, drive within each county's laws, keep within the speed limits and well within the car and driver's limitations. This is not a race and no prizes will be given for getting to a stopping point first, so it's not an excuse to thrash an old Nissan Stanza across Europe. It will be challenge enough navigating a couple of hundred pound car nearly 2000 miles across three countries!
