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No money, no worries, no sense.

The London Tashkent rally is an alternative to the corporately sponsored and excruciatingly expensive Dakar rally and the likes.  Following the success of the Plymouth-Banjul Challenge, which has successfully rehomed hundreds of LHD scrapyard fugitives to Banjul, in 2005 some brave souls started looking eastwards.  And hence the London Tashkent was born. 

2009 saw around 40 of Europe's finest bangers relocated 5000 miles and moved to the streets of Bishkek, where they will be cherised for ever by their new owners as a living tribute to our motoring heritage. 

Unfortunately, political unrest in Krygystan has temporarily closed that door. But never fear! Just an hour's drive away from Bishkek (plus 2 hours arguing with border guards...) is Almaty, capital of Kazakhstan, greatest country in the world.


On the 15th July around 40 of Europe's bravest banger drivers will set off in 20 bangers. Around July 30th they will arrive, by which time border controls, corrupt policeman and pot holes you can stand up in will have reduced the 20 cars down to 15 or so.

On the way these valiant adventurers will experience the delights of Ukrainian speed guns (their accuracy can vary by as much as 20 US dollars), a few laps of the Nurburgring, day trips to Chernobyl and Auschwitz and some delightful missile silos. 

Will you get lost?  Probably
Will you break down?  Probably
Will you have the best time of your life?  Without a doubt!

Add in a few breakdowns, fuel that a 50cc moped would struggle to run o­n, and a large crate of Baltika 7, and you have the perfect holiday.

If you've read the above and have developed an irresistible urge to go down your nearest scrapyard and buy the first thing you see, we will shortly begin accepting registrations for the 2011 event, watch this space for further info.  There are no restrictions to taking part - if you can drive (at least o­ne of you anyway) you can come.  Our oldest participant to date was 69 - beat that! 

If you're a veteran of banger rallies, and feel that 5000 miles in two and a half weeks is a little easy for you, don't be worry please, there are many ways to make your experience a little more extreme.  The weather may of course help, since if it rains half the roads in Kazakhstan become impassable, but if you feel that Almaty's not far enough, a few teams are going to trot along another 2-3000 miles to Ulaanbataar, just to see if they can...