The Rally

The blueprint rally was a rally from Marden/ Kent (ADL's UK HQ) across Europe to their Portuguese offices outside Lisbon. ADL (Automotive Distributors Ltd) who are behind the Blue Point brand are aftermarket leaders in parts for Japanese and Korean vehicles and they organised this rally to raise money for charity. The main charity being BEN an automotive industry charity providing care and support to employees and there dependants in there time of need.

The rally consisted of 30 teams who are customers of Blue Print (distributors, factors and garages). Each team has to purchase a vehicle of Japanese or Korean origin for less than £500 and then drive that vehicle 2000 Miles in the rally.

This 2000 Mile 7 day mammoth journey is a real test of the £500 car and has taken them across to France via ferry, then through France, over the Millau Viaduct and down into Spain The route then continued along the eastern and southern coasts of Spain, into Portugal before finally arriving at the ADL offices just outside of Lisbon.

The point of this rally was not to be the first one there but just to be able to get there in these old cars. This proved to be a challenge in its self and although there were a few cars that did have some problems, they all finish.

Links:

http://www.justgiving.com/blueprintrally Click here to make a donation

http://www.blueprint-adl.com/rally08/ The blue print website

 

Jonathan Van Niekerk director of Technic motor's Ltd and Friend Derek Gray have taken part in the 7 day blueprint rally. Team Don't just dream it be it's (named after a line from the Rocky Horror Show musical) vehicle was a 1990 Toyota Celica purchased from ebay for £205 with close to 200,000 Miles already on the clock Jonathan spent a lot of time making the vehicle road worthy as well as getting sponsorship and help from other local company's including Treadfirst Tyres and Autozone. The car also had some graphics by Stylize Digital Artwork and some new paintwork.

Although some sceptics had there doubts as to whether the car would make it there, let alone make it back things went quite well. Jonathan did have to replace the break callipers in ADL's car park before he left but everything else went well and the team did make the 200-300 Miles a day with out any serous issues as well as making it back unlike some of the other cars that were abandoned there.