Staples2Naples Banger Rally Gets Rolling
for 2005
07 December 2004
Preparations for the Staples2Naples Rally, a poor-mans,
cut-down version of the infamous Plymouth-Dakar, are getting underway
for 2005.
Registration
for the event, which takes in six countries and 1500 miles in four
days, opened yesterday with 54 teams jumping at the chance and signing
up on the first day.
The Staples2Naples event was conceived as a means of getting all the
fun of a banger rally, without the requirement of three or more weeks
away from homes, families and jobs -and it's been a success so far.
This year, in its second running, S2N2004 saw 71 teams compete over
its four days, with wrecks of all kinds taking part, from an A-Team
look-a-like Peugeot 205 to a 'General Lee' style Vauxhall Carlton.
2005 looks like exceeding those figures with some ease up to its maximum
entry of 100 teams.
S2N2005 is taking in 6 countries this year, including France, Belgium,
Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. The teams will be
spending a whole day in Switzerland on the mountain passes, taking
in the breathtaking views and possibly spoiling them a little with
garish paintjobs. Additionally, the legendary Stelviopass in Northern
Italy, where Lotus honed the Elise,
will be optional for any team that wants to
brave it. The trip ends with two days hurtling through Italy,
"experiencing some of the
worst driving in Europe".
It's not all about winning either. While the main prize will be for
the most points amassed over the four days, secondary awards will be
presented by the organisers in such fields as "Biggest Pile Of Rubbish",
"Longest Team to Hitchhike" and "Team Who Suffered The Most (self-inflicted
or otherwise)". Glad to be witnessing such motoring adventures, MSportUK.com
is fielding its own team in S2N2005 and we'll keep you up to date right
here as we prepare ourselves for the event which kicks off in Calais
in September 2005.
For the full low-down on the rally, including full entry lists and
route details, visit www.staples2naples.com.
