What is U rally? |
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Essentially, U Rally is a dynamic charity car rally championship from the UK to everywhere and pretty much anywhere! Teams design their own route across the world's largest land mass, competing with each other along the way to tick off certain challenges set by us in a mad dash across the continent(s) and back to Blighty, all in a bid to become the first ever U Rally champion. The competition lasts for four weeks, but there is also a two week version for people who can't get the time off work - the Baby U.
We are expecting teams to head off in all directions, and to give some examples, points can be scored all over Europe, up by the Arctic Circle, across Siberia, way out in Uzbekistan and deep down in Syria, not to mention AFRICA!
The challenges and points scoring system are unique and like nothing we've seen before. Check the challenges section for more details, but ultimately, they are designed from the bizarre to the brilliant and will give you stories to tell for years. Some challenges can be ticked off anywhere and others are evenly distributed in all directions. The rally is designed to let people head off wherever interests them and complete some amazing challenges on the way, whilst still being able to compete with rival teams heading in the opposite direction.
Don't worry though, It is not like you are all out there on your own! There will be planned meet up points at several uber-trendy venues across the map for whichever part of the world you are in. These will take place on each Saturday of the event. Plus you will get a chance to meet participants at a pre-launch party and a big party in Bruges on the first night of the rally. So if you want to mix it up with other teams or go lone ranger style, either is fine by us, but be warned; some of the secret events include team collaboration!
Because of the unique challenge system, teams are required to take a camera with them. Don't worry, you don't need any high-end recording equipment, just a digital camera that can take photos and short video clips.
Our Mission: to unlock the potential of Africa by driving for change
What is the Baby U? |
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The Baby U is exactly the same as U Rally, but only lasts for two weeks for people who cannot get the month off. It runs from August the 1st to August the 15th. Other than the dates of the point scoring window and the evidence submission dates, everything else is the same, including the challenges and the fundraising. Check the Baby U Laws section for more information.
When is U Rally? |
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The launch date and inaugural launch party is on Sunday 1st August. After the launch party and sizing up of other competitors, teams will set off on an overland drive from the UK to wherever they want to go. Teams will have a maximum of four weeks to amass as many points as they can from our scoring system to take part in the U Rally championship.
Total points will be collated on return and amazing prizes awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd placed teams as well as some other individual prizes and awards all to be judged by our expert panel of U-rally judges. Results will be announced at an awards ceremony and massive party back in the UK around the end of September.
The Baby U starts on the same day in the same way but only runs to the 15th of August. There will be a prize for the team that come first, and teams can also enter some of the individual competitions - check the Cups and Trophiespage in the challenges section.
Where does the rally finish? |
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This is really up to the participating teams. If you want to head for some more remote regions (Siberia, Africa, Mongolia etc.) you may want to leave your car and fly back. Alternatively you may want to finish your challenges, but carry on travelling. Both of these are fine, just remember that the window for points scoring is limited from August 1st to August 28th and all of your evidence needs to be submitted shortly after this.
We are expecting lots of teams to want to return back to the UK as well. We are aware that teams who do not intend to get the car back in four weeks may be likely to score more points due to the pub story multiplier . In order to ensure teams are not penalised for returning their car to the UK, we are offering a huge incentive in points for getting your car back - a score of 300 U Points in fact - that we feel would balance out the scoring of teams racking up double points out east.
The same applies to Baby U Teams, most of whom we expect to return to the UK.
Remember, if you plan to leave your car in another country, any tax or import issues are yours to sort out and U Rally is not responsible for your vehicle in any way.
Who can take part? |
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Anyone who is over the age of 18 with a passport can take part. If not in possession of a driving licence, you obviously need to be in a team with someone who is (and who is willing to haul your freeloading rear-end wherever you want to go).
How Many People to a Car / Cars to a Team / Teams to a Convoy? |
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You can have many people in a car as is legally allowed (i.e. no. of seats). You can have as many cars in a convoy as you like. All the cars can be in the same team, or you can have a convoy of lots of different teams. This one really is up to you. Just let us know as you sign-up. However, for the sake of fundraising, we are considering 1 team to be one car, i.e. each car (however many people you squeeze into it) needs to raise £750.
Remember, you can also add new team members at a later date after you have signed up - so long as they pay their entry fee!
What Vehicle Can I Take? |
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This is entirely up to you. You could take your own flash motor or a recently purchased rust bucket. Seriously, you can take your own car, but even better, challenge yourself and buy something rubbish or unique - remember to consider your route and that you may end up plastering it with sponsors etc. If you want to take a London Taxi, a double-decker bus, campervan, retro Fiat 500 or Volvo estate you bought for £1 on eBay we commend you! Remember, you can fit as many people in your vehicle as there are seats, so the price tag can be shared.
If you're really bonkers/broke, take a motorbike (and side car). Any kind will do.
Is it a Race? |
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No, this is not a race - you simply have a maximum 4-week (2 Week for Baby U teams) time limit to amass as many points as you can, which is not necessarily achieved by racing through as many countries as quickly as you can. Teams will take a range of different routes.
Why does U Rally exist? |
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Why not? The world would be worse if it didn't. Also, the rally is organised as a fundraising event for PEAS, a charity that seeks to address educational disadvantage in Uganda. The money is raised by individual rally teams, who each are required to raise £750 over several months before they set off. This is not your ordinary fundraiser - miles away from tin rattling but enormously effective; we aim to raise £60,000 from the first rally, enough to build a Ugandan secondary school.
Why Is U Rally Unique? |
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U Rally is hardly your average summer get away. What makes it unique is the participants and the challenges we set them. As an event it is stimulating, exciting and makes an impact. Yes, there are a few other driving events, but nothing on this scale, with an exciting competitive championship element, where 100% of the proceeds go to a registered charity. So, in terms of a dynamic and stimulating event that solely raises money for a good cause, it really is quite unique.
Couldn't I do this independently without raising the money? |
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The answer to this is a black and white yes and no.
No, you can't, because it wouldn't be much fun doing a championship-style rally on your own! Also, there is going to be a massive launch party and final party in the UK that are set to be incredible as well as numerous press opportunities that obviously you won't be able to indulge in as a non-member.
And yes, you can, because...if you want to drive to somewhere (anywhere!) on your own we can't stop you. It might, however, prove quite a bit more expensive, because as a member of U rally you can fundraise for the cost of your car (if you're planning on buying one!), and it is much easier to get sponsorship and donations for other things like fuel and visas when there is a good cause involved.
Also, PEAS is an awesome charity. Help them in their mission.
Are there any competitions/prizes? |
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This is a championship rally. Fun will be had. Points will be scored. There will be intense competition and loads of prizes, none more important that the U Rally championship trophy. See the challenges section and the Cups & Trophies page for more of an idea.
How will the competition be judged? |
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As teams complete the challenges they will evidence their escapades through various methods. As this is a competition there are a few rules concerning evidence and submission of evidence, please check the Rules section for full information. Essentially, teams submit evidence to prove completion of each challenge. The team with the most points after the judges have certified entries and awarded bonus points will win the Championship.
Due to the nature of the challenges, most of the evidence will be short video clips and photos, which is why participants are asked to bring a camera.
Will we meet other teams on the way? |
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Yes. There will be planned meet up points at several uber-trendy venues across the map for whichever part of the world you are in. These will take place on each Saturday of the event. Plus you will get a chance to meet participants at a pre-launch party and a big party in Bruges on the first night of the rally. So if you want to mix it up with other teams or go lone ranger style, either is fine by us, but be warned; some of the secret events include team collaboration!
Also, although there is no set route, we are expecting teams (if you want) to get in touch and plan convoys or super teams for those heading off in the same direction. Due to the nature of the event and the challenges we are certain you will be running into each other in all sorts of exotic destinations. We also expect most teams to return to the UK, but understand that others will want to get somewhere really out there and fly/train back.
Is U Rally Dangerous? |
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U Rally is a fundraising overland drive from the UK to wherever you want to go. It is not a package holiday and there are serious risks.
The truth is this could be dangerous, that is what makes it an adventure. You are, however, free to do what you want and take whatever route you want, therefore the rally can be as different or dangerous as you want to make it. If you stay in Western Europe the risks will obviously reduced compared to adventures to Syria or east of the Urals.
We do ask you to think very seriously before signing up. This is a serious decision with genuine risks involved, please don't take the decision lightly. Once you set off you really are on your own and U Rally or PEAS have no responsibility to you. All participants are required to sign a legal waiver confirming acknowledgment of this fact before they set off.
The dangers of driving, especially in foreign countries, can never be underestimated and should also be taken into consideration.
Is U-rally environmentally friendly? |
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This is an important question and the U-rally organisers are well aware of the impact of the carbon footprint that will be created as a direct result of the event.
We will therefore be running a unique carbon offsetting scheme that will see part of each team's registration fee going towards the purchase and installation costs of fuel-efficient wood-burning stoves in PEAS schools in Uganda. These reduce the amount of fuel needed to prepare meals for students and hence greatly reduce the CO2 emissions. Through this process we guarantee to fully off-set the CO2 emissions of the rally.