“The world is just a little bit too safe. Gone are the days where the edge of the map called you forth to discover what lay beyond – satellite maps and GPS have it laid out before you leave the armchair. What if you want things to go wrong? What if you want a bit of unknown in a world full health and safety measures?”

Described as the “greatest adventure in the world”, The Mongol Rally challenges teams to drive a third of the way around the earth, from Europe to Mongolia via a plethora of countries most people haven’t heard of in a car that has an engine with no bigger than 1 litre. Starting from England, Spain and Italy, the rally finishes in the Mongolian capital Ulaan Baatar around four weeks and a whole heap of adventure later. It’s between about 8 and 10,000 miles depending on the route you choose to throw your trusty steed at. It is supposed to be an adventure not a cosy guided driving tour.

What happens to you between the start, the deserts, mountains, bandits and wilderness is anyone’s guess. In a normal year just over half the teams make the finish line in one piece.

If you want a full support crew (or any support crew) you’re in the wrong place. If nothing goes wrong, then everything has gone wrong. You only start having fun when you break down in the desert with only a short stick and some chewing gum to fix your car. If your automobile completely lets you down and all else fails, e.g. the sky has fallen on your head, you may be able to get to Mongolia by scabbing a lift from other cars. However, you are supposed to be on an adventure not in a nursery class so if the sky does fall on your head, prop it up with a windscreen wiper and carry on. If you’re worried, stay at home.