Friends set out on epic rally (From thisisoxfordshire)

Friends set out on epic rally

2:49pm Wednesday 28th July 2010 in

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THEY’VE had a crash course in car mechanics and now friends Lise Honsinger and Will Mulholland have set off on one last adventure before they start work.

The two university graduates reckon they did as much as they could to prepare their nine-year-old Suzuki Swift for a gruelling 10,000 mile drive across some of the world’s toughest terrain.

Last weekend the pair joined the smooth motorways of England for the first leg of their journey across 17 countries, en route to Mongolia, as part of the annual Mongol Rally.

During the five- to six- week journey, the pair will drive through Eastern Europe, Turkey and Iran, through Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the Kazakhstani desert, finally entering Mongolia through the Russian Altai Mountains.

When they drive through Iran, the pair will have to pretend they are married – as unmarried men and women are not allowed to travel together.

Miss Honsinger, 25, of Stratton Audley, said: “It’s not a race. It’s about reaching the finish line in a car that’s not designed for the journey.

“We are not going to be bombing along.

“We had the option to go through north Russia or Iran and all the Stans.

“I had always wanted to go there. It’s the last place on earth. You feel like an explorer.”

Mr Mulholland, 24, met Miss Honsinger when they were both studying biology at Oxford University.

They have called their team The Escapologists – because they are escaping starting work for a few more months and they are both biologists. Work has been done to the £800 car to ensure it won’t fall apart while tackling the roads, desert and mountains on their trip.

Its bodywork has been reinforced, the engine checked over, new tyres and a sump guard fitted.

Miss Honsinger said: “The whole thing about the Mongolian Rally is that there is no support team. We will have to fix any problem ourselves.

“We did a car mechanics course, so we know our way around the engine.

“If we get stuck, we will have to call up other competitors and hope someone can tow us to the nearest village or town.”

The pair hope to raise £1,500 for charity the Mercy Corps, which funds projects and activities in rural areas in Mongolia.

About 300 teams left Goodwood, West Sussex – but organisers say only about 40 per cent are expected to make it to the finish line.

If the team completes the rally, the car will be sold in Mongolia and proceeds donated to the charity.

To sponsor the pair view justgiving.com/the-escapologists