Rickshaw Run – Himalaya Edition

The Rickshaw Run is notorious for pushing tiny three-wheeled tuk-tuks to their limits across unforgiving terrain. In the Himalaya Edition, we tackled steep mountain passes, unpredictable weather, and hair-raising roads at altitude. Along the way, we set a Guinness World Record for the highest altitude ever achieved in an auto rickshaw — proof that with enough determination (and a bit of mechanical luck), even the most unlikely vehicles can conquer the world’s toughest roads.

Mongol Rally

The Mongol Rally is the ultimate overland adventure, stretching thousands of kilometres from Europe to Mongolia. With no set route, no backup, and only the quirkiest vehicles encouraged, it’s as much about camaraderie and problem-solving as it is about reaching Ulaanbaatar (and then Ulan Ude). The trusty steed here was a Nissan Micra (K11), and she was indestructible! Link: www.ndanka.com

White Hat Rally

The White Hat Rally is a UK-based charity motoring challenge that combines road-trip adventure with fundraising for good causes. Teams dress up their cars, don their “white hats,” and hit the road for a spirited event that mixes fun with philanthropy. We’ve been involved as participants or organizers in the White Hat Rally since nearly a decade, using vehicles from a S320 to a Shogun!

Plymouth Dakar

The Plymouth–Dakar Challenge began as a budget alternative to the Dakar by Julian Nowill, inviting participants to buy cheap cars in the UK and drive them thousands of miles south into Africa. What the cars lacked in reliability, the teams made up for in determination and creativity. This started it, and I did it in a Mitsubishi Shogun V6.

Banjul Challenge
A spin-off of the Plymouth–Dakar, the Banjul Challenge finishes in the Gambian capital. Vehicles that survive the epic drive are auctioned at the end, raising funds for local charities and creating a direct impact for the communities along the route. This was done in a Honda CRV.


Bamako Run
The Bamako Run channels the same adventurous spirit of the great overland challenges, leading teams through deserts, villages, and savannas to reach the capital of Mali. More than a rally, it’s a cultural journey filled with trials, triumphs, and countless stories from the road. This third rally that the W202 participated in, and sadly last.

Timbuktu Challenge
Another offshoot of the Plymouth–Dakar, the Timbuktu Challenge carried adventurers even deeper into West Africa, with the legendary Malian city as its target. This rally tested both driving skill and endurance through some of the toughest terrain imaginable. This was the second desert rally for the W202!

Dakar Challenge

Inspired by the legendary Paris–Dakar, the Dakar Challenge took adventurers deep into Africa with an emphasis on grit and endurance. It’s less about luxury and more about surviving the harshest terrain while forging unforgettable bonds on the road. This was the first rally done in my trusty W202 Mercedes C-class.