Preparation for this ridiculous adventure will be key, and I have dedicated myself to ensuring Ventura will not be the weakest link in our quest for glory. The detailed process will unfold in its very own blog post (I know, you will have to hold back the excitement), with a target completion date of the upgrades by the end of February to allow for crucial off-road testing weekends.
Immersing myself in the Maroc Challenge rulebook, I couldn’t help but feel a tinge of doubt at the enormity of the task. Yet, with an excellent wing man co driver who shares a similar level of mechanical ineptitude, confidence is as ever bubbling to the surface – What could possibly go wrong!
The route map, a labyrinth of adventure, was nothing short of spectacular. While my current lack of cartographic skills prevented me from creating a visual masterpiece, I eagerly plugged the coordinates into Google Maps, unveiling a road map version that highlighted the 1,500 km of on-road excitement. When factoring in the connections through Portugal, Spain, and Northern Morocco, the grand total reaches a staggering 4,000 km — an awesome and thrilling expedition that will really test my old Land Rover to the max.
A small extract from the race organisers on the route:
We will start out from Er-Rachidia, then head on down towards Zagora, the capital of the Draa Valley. From Zagora we will continue heading south towards Tata, where the bivouac will await us. From Tata we will go up to M’hamid, passing through Lake Iriki and the areas surrounding Erg Chegaga. From M’hamid we will move on to Erfoud, where we will make a loop in the fifth stage to finish off with the now traditional waypoint stage that will take us all the way to Merzouga at the foot of Erg Chebbi.
As ever watch this space for more in the coming weeks.
