A few rules…

Some pointers to the regulations

The Dates: We line up in London on the evening of New Year’s Eve and depart after the firework display over London on January 1st 2011. If our “shortest option” across the Sahara proves workable, we expect to reach Cape Town on January 27th.

Crews: A crew is a nominated crew of two persons. Crew changes after the closing date for entries or during the event are not permitted.

Categories and Classes: Cars will be divided into three categories. Category 1 is for “showroom class” small cars first registered after January 1st 2002, with classes up to 1400cc, and 1600cc. Diesels may be turbocharged – petrol engines must be normally aspirated. Category 2 is for Classic cars in production up to January 1st 1986. Category 3: "The Camel Trophy" is for 4x4 vehicles, over 1600cc, of any age. Only diesel engines may be forced-induction.

Modifications: Suspension can be uprated or modified, and engines can also be modified. Bodywork must retain the standard body panels. There are no restrictions on wheels and tyres – technical rules are set out in the event’s Regulations, contact the Rally Office for a copy.

Prize Fund: The winners of each Category and each Class in Category 1 will receive a cash prize of £5,000. The Gulf Oils Young Driver Award: Two trophies and a cash prize of £10,000 will go to the best performing crew in Category 1 where both crew members are under the age of 31 at the start of the event. The Gulf Oils winner will not be eligible for any other Cash prize. The Corbeau Challenge: The highest placed finisher at Cape Town equipped with Corbeau Seats and Luke Belts will be presented with two trophies and cash prize of £2,000 by Corbeau Seats.

Trophies: Will be presented for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd placed crew in each class. There will be a Team Award for the two best two car Teams formed from each class. The Richard Pape Against All Odds Trophy goes to the crew judged to have reached Cape Town against ridiculous odds. The Eric Jackson Spirit of the Rally Award is for the crew judged to have contributed to the success of others with selfless deeds.

Finishers Awards: Go to each crew member who reaches the Cape Town finish-line as a classified finisher.

Our Charity: The Organisation may link the event to a charitable cause to help local communities along the route, information will be supplied at a later date.

Entry Fees: There are two entry fee options: Plan A, a deposit of £1,500, to secure an Entry, with a balance of £10,500 payable no later than May 30th, 2010. Or, Plan B: A Deposit of £1,500, to secure an Entry, with a balance of £12,500 payable no later than October 30th 2010.

Scholarship Discount: Category 1 entrants can benefit from The Gulf Oils Scholarship: This provides a discount of £3,000 per entry, for a maximum of six selected entrants to Category 1 (modern cars up to 1600cc).

Withdrawals: Entries withdrawn by October 30th 2010 will be repaid in full, less £1,500. After this date there can be no refunds. Changes of car details, or crew, can not be accepted after the closing date of October 30th, 2010. Entry acceptance will close on October 30th 2010, or, when the entry-list reaches 40 cars.

Accommodation: There are five nights in hotels provided by the Organisation included in the entry-fee at the Major Re-Group Controls. This includes: Twin-bedded room for one night, with dinner and breakfast for two. The five nights are in addition to the one night at the Table Bay Hotel, Cape Town, which includes the prize-giving dinner, twin-bedded room and breakfast. Other nights are hotels you can pre-book yourself from a list provided by the Organisation, or camp sites, or make your arrangements when you arrive.

Health: The Rally Doctor will write a comprehensive set of health notes, including the inoculations necessary. The Organisation provides a comprehensive first-aid kit compiled by the Rally Doctor for each car. There will be two Rally Doctors, who will be available 24 hours a day by satellite phone, and make contact with the rally on a regular basis from start to finish. All crew members must either have a first-aid certificate, or, attend a three-hour first-aid briefing by the Rally medical team before the start.

Inoculations: Competitors will be required to have mandatory inoculations against Yellow Fever, and Hepatitis C. Other highly recommended inoculations as suggested by the World Health Organisation are for: Tetanus-Diphtheria; Polio; Measles; Mumps; Rubella; Typhoid; Meningitis.

Travel Insurance: All competitors will be required to have full travel repatriation insurance, (Insurance agents Campbell Irvine of Kensington, London, can provide this: 0207 937 6981 - charges vary, but could be £100, or less for younger drivers).

Navigation: Crews should be proficient at reading maps and using GPS – the organisation will nominate a Garmin GPS which all crews must undertake to use – a set of Way Points will be provided for the entire route. In addition, a Route-Book will provide information on the location of Checkpoints, and the recommended roads, based on the Official Route Survey.

Timing: This is a timed event with a daily schedule that may often prove difficult to maintain. The Organisers will endeavour to ensure that no crew can complain that a section has been too easy. Sections will on no account be cancelled for “acts of God” such as bad weather, but time allowed to reach Checkpoints may be extended.

Results: Checkpoints where crews progress is timed will be manned by rally officials who may be locally recruited or flown in. The classification and results will be published on the event website.

Equipment, and other costs: All crews must have a satellite mobile phone, and a Garmin GPS to the organiser’s specification. Each car will need a carnet-de-passage.

Backup and Support: Crews should enter in the full knowledge that the emphasis is on self-sufficiency. There are no plans to shadow the event with sweeper crews or mobile workshops. The Route-Survey will locate potential local workshops and the Route Book will provide information on various facilities to assist crews. Organised outside service assistance will not be allowed but there is nothing to stop you entering another car to carry spares and provide your support, but they will be expected as entrants to cover the whole route and remain within the event by sticking to the time-schedule.