What is U rally? |
Back Up ↑ |
Essentially, U Rally is a mad road and rail trip across Europe that raises cash for a good cause. Teams design their own route across the continent, competing with each other along the way to tick off certain challenges set by us. Most teams will head back to Blighty at the end of the rally.
The competition lasts for 2 weeks starting on Sunday 29th July 2012, but there is also a one week version for people who can’t get the time off work - the Baby U.
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 across the countries. 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.
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.
What is the Baby U? |
Back Up ↑ |
The Baby U is exactly the same as U Rally, but only lasts for one week for people who cannot commit to the full 2 weeks. 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.
What is U Rail? |
Back Up ↑ |
U Rail is a new concept for U Rally and a way of expanding the event to encourage a wider audience to take up the challenge. Don't want the hassles of driving in europe? worried about driving on the wrong side of the road, understanding road signs etc?
Now you don't have to worry- joining U Rail, same great sense of adventure, same dates, same challenges but with stress free rail travel chucked in. Interrail passes can be bought for as little as £155 per person and allow you to travel in over 30 countries.
When is U Rally? |
Back Up ↑ |
The launch date and launch party will be on Sunday 29th July 2012, with many teams arriving on the Saturday to attend the party. Teams will have a maximum of two weeks, to amass as many points as they can from our scoring system to take part in the U Rally championship.
The Baby U starts on the same day in the same way but only runs for one week. There will be a prize for the team that comes first, and teams can also enter some of the individual competitions.
Where does the rally finish? |
Back Up ↑ |
The finishing line for Baby U Is in Prague on Sunday 5th August 2012, U Rally will finish the following Sunday (12th August). Its really up to the participating teams, but we expect most teams to head back to the UK after our finishing party. Some teams may choose to leave their cars, or have to for mechanical reasons. Remember, if you do 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? |
Back Up ↑ |
Anyone who is over the age of 18 (on the first day of the event) 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). Alternative you can now take part in the event by train. Please see U Rail and the interrail train passes for full details.
How Many People to a Car / Cars to a Team / Teams to a Convoy? |
Back Up ↑ |
You can have however 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, you can have a convoy of lots of different teams. This one really is up to you.
What vehicle/ transport Can I Take? |
Back Up ↑ |
This is entirely up to you. You could take your own flash motor or less flash motor or a recently purchased rust bucket. Why not try U Rail- rather than buying a car just buy an Interrail pass and use trains in over 30 countries! 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.
Note, we are not your typical banger rally - any car goes, any price tag. Do it in your own inimitable style!
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!
What are the costs and fundraising requirements?
|
Back Up ↑ |
FEES & FUNDRAISING REQUIREMENTS:
Each team needs to pay an entry fee when they sign up (£250 for a team of two, £70 for each extra teammate). Each team then needs to raise £250 for PEAS before departure. Obviously, you can raise as much as you like and we will be delighted if you exceed this target.
VEHICLE:
You can use a team member's own vehicle or buy one especially for the rally. YOU CAN TAKE ANY VEHICLE YOU WANT! This can cost as much or as little as you like and you can split the cost between everyone in your team. You can reduce the cost of the car by getting sponsorship of your vehicle; in 2010 a team even got a free car! Or you can organise events to raise funds for your car. However, it must be clear in both cases that the money is going towards your car (or anything else you fundraise for) and not the charity, PEAS. During the rally you may need to have a small contingency fund available for maintenance/repairs.
PETROL:
Obviously this is dependent upon how far you plan to travel and the type of vehicle. As a rough figure, we recommend you budget for around £400.
VISAS:
Again, this is totally dependent on the countries you intend to visit. You do not need visas to travel to any country in the European Union if you are from an EU country. We may be able to assist with visas for other countries, or if you are not from the EU, through our partners BONHEUR OUTSOURCING who are running a visa service for U Rally members. Please contact us to discuss this further if you are interested in this service.
OTHER COSTS TO CONSIDER:
Accommodation (tent anyone?)
Food
Fun
Ferries
Flights/Trains (if you leave your car on your travels or choose U Rail).
This might seem like a lot; however, if you are smart about this, you can get a lot of other people to cover these costs and actually end up spending very little.
You also have many months to get this done.
How can we raise funds & what are we allowed
|
Back Up ↑ |
You can fundraise directly for the members' contributions of £250 as these will be direct donations to PEAS.
You can raise funds to cover other costs as long as it is made explicit the money is not going directly to PEAS. For example, you could ask a sponsor to pay for your petrol, on the grounds you need it to get you and your car around the continent and in return you could cover your car in their stickers. Or you could have a house party and charge people an entry fee to raise money for your car. You could even go as far as getting a food company to sponsor you by providing food etc.
Essentially, if you are a bit savvy about it, the rally could end up costing you very little! U Rally and PEAS will support you in your fundraising and send out a pack after you have signed-up full of some great fundraising ideas.
What happens if we don't raise enough? |
Back Up ↑ |
You simply cannot sign up if you don't pay the entry fee, so don't worry about that. If your team hasn't raised the £250 before setting off, you may not be allowed to take part in the rally. If they are close to their target you may be allowed to continue but will be asked to pledge to fulfil you commitment when they return. However, if you are worried about raising the funds get in touch and we will try our hardest to help you out.
Why does U Rally exist? |
Back Up ↑ |
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 rally teams, who are each required to raise £250 over the months before they set off. This is not your ordinary fundraiser - miles away from tin rattling but enormously effective; we aim to raise £30,000 for PEAS from U Rally.
Couldn't I do this independently without raising the money? |
Back Up ↑ |
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 that are set to be incredible as well as other 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 to buy 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.
How will the competition be judged? |
Back Up ↑ |
As teams complete their 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. Teams will be asked to submit their evidence (download onto our megaharddrive) before and during the event.
Essentially, teams submit evidence to prove completion of each challenge. 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. Teams will be provided with log books to help record their evidence.
The team with the most points after the judges have certified entries and awarded bonus points will win the Championship.
Is it a Race? |
Back Up ↑ |
No, this is not a race - you simply have a maximum 2-week (1 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.
Will we meet other teams on the way? |
Back Up ↑ |
Yes. There will be planned meet up points at a few uber-trendy hangouts across the map. Plus you will get a chance to meet participants at the launch party and at our Final Nights party. So if you want to mix it up with other teams or go lone ranger style, either is fine by us.
Is U Rally Dangerous? |
Back Up ↑ |
U Rally is a fundraising overland drive from the UK around the continent. It is not a package holiday and there are 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 the East
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 neither U Rally nor PEAS have any 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? |
Back Up ↑ |
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.
What's the deal with visas? |
Back Up ↑ |
The deal is you may or may not need them! If you stay within the European Union on your travels then there are no visa requirements (if you are from the EU). If, however you stray beyond this bloc then there will be a need for visas. You will be able to get some on the border when you arrive and some you may need to get before you leave, for numerous reasons. It’s pretty straightforward to find out visa requirements for the countries you intend to visit by visiting the relevant embassy websites.
We might be able to assist with visas for countries through our partners Bonheur Outsourcing who are running a visa service for rally members. Please get in touch to discuss this further if you are interested.
What happens if I can't make it back or want to go home before the end? |
Back Up ↑ |
Just make sure the car is properly accounted for if you're leaving it abroad (duties, selling, scrapping etc) and then get yourself home.