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Meet the three Abu Dhabi-based explorers who conquered the Mongol Rally

Abu Dhabi explorers

Driving a “micro” car 16,000 kilometres in 33 days may not be everyone’s idea of a great summer holiday, but for three offbeat adventurists from Abu Dhabi, it was the time of their lives.

Motivated by the challenges, variety and prospects for personal growth, Team Anserimates (a play on the obscure Mongolian dinosaur the Anserimimus) – comprising William Harbidge of New Zealand, and David Knapp and Alex Niswander, both of the United States – took on the Mongol Rally in July and August, driving through some of the most scenic and remote parts of Europe and Asia in a tiny, underpowered car (one of the requirements set by the unconventional event organisers).

The annual rally – from the Goodwood Motor Circuit, ­Chichester, United Kingdom, to Ulan Ude, Russia – is unlike any other. The objective is an epic, storytelling journey, rather than a race to the final destination. Teams must also raise at least £1,000 (Dh5,575) for the event charity, Cool Earth, along the way.

Participants are instructed to tackle the journey completely unaided, without the help of a support team or GPS, and by figuring out their own route beforehand.

Needless to say, the effort was far from a breezy Route 66 road trip, and despite their efforts to plan meticulously for every possible scenario beforehand, the Abu Dhabi men took away some harrowing and humorous stories from the unforgettable cross-continents experience.

Original article by Kara Martin

Continue reading at The National:

Meet the three Abu Dhabi-based explorers who conquered the Mongol Rally

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