Roof of the world rally
Encyclopedia
The Roof of The World Rally is an adventurous Charity rally
that begins in London, United Kingdom and finishes in the small city of Kurgan Tyube, Tajikistan. There has also been additional launch sites on the European continent for continental teams, although the official launch is from London. The Roof of the World Rally has been called arguably the most eccentric rally, due to its 'droll mission of promoting the drinking of tea across the globe'.
The Roof of the World Rally fits into the categories of banger rallies and charity rallies. These type events are vehicle rallies but participants are not allowed to race - as a legal requirement. There is also no on the road support. Teams are self reliant. The purpose of the rally is for adventure, travel and also to promote positive cultural interactions, hence the extra element of tea.
The Roof of The World Rally is organised by Go Help, a UK registered charity run primarily by volunteers. Go Help runs Charity Rallies, which include the Mongolia Rally, the Roof of the World Rally and the latest addition in 2010 of the Tuk Tuk Challenge.
Currently the Roof of the World Rally is one of only a handful of long distance endurance 'every-man' type rallies. Similar long distance rallies can include the Mongol Rally
, Mongolia charity rally
, London Tashkent, Africa Rally and the original Rally Plymouth-Banjul Challenge. The Africa based rallies, usually running around December have relatively limited route choices and were hit hard in Dec 2009 due to the terrorism incidents in Mauritania. One of the strengths of the Roof of the World Rally is its appeal to potential participants of the Mongolia rallies. The large number of vehicles of dubious quality going to Mongolia has resulted in tighter import restrictions and this has meant that with an overlapping route the Roof of the World Rally is a clear alternative to the Mongolian destination rallies
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In 2009 The Rally organisers gave the Rally more structure by joining the non-profit Charity Rallies group. 8 teams launched from Greenwich Park Tea Pavilion and all 8 teams managed to complete the rally. In Kurgan-Tyube there was a finish ceremony honoring the teams in the city centre with speeches by Tajik Ministers and Government Authorities. Tajik TV, Embassy staff and Tajik musicians attended the ceremony and after party.
In 2010 the Roof of the World Rally launch to take place on 3 July from London and is still under the Charity Rallies banner.
The organisers recommend teams consider driving the Pamir Highway (M-41) driving into Tajikistan via Osh in Kyrgyzstan.
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Tea is an important factor in the rally with challenges and competitions based on how well the teams distribute their given quota of tea stocks which are donated by sponsors of the Rally. Since the inauguration of the Rally it has been affiliated with the Tea Appreciation Society.
All excess funds that are generated from entry fees are put back into developing the rally further or given to charity.
An early sign-up discount is run every year when sign-up first opens.
Also teams are challenged to raise a sum of £750 for Sworde-Teppa and are asked to transport donated equipment from a wishlist to help improve the charities facilities.
Sworde-Teppa is substantially funded from the rally. The 2009 Rally raised in excess of £10,000 and has over the last few years funded the re-development of Sworde-Teppa's main building and gardens, Donated 4x4's and a minibus that is vital to reach school children who are unable to travel to school.
As part of the Rally, teams are encouraged to raise a minimum of £750 for Sworde-Teppa using a separate online donation system.
According to the charity:
"Using our specialist local knowledge, we run poverty reduction and improvement programmes which are wanted and needed by the community. We are located in Kurgan-Tyube, about 100 km south of the capital Dushanbe.
We are a registered charity (UK reg. no. 1100598) but have no HQ in the UK and all UK personnel are volunteers. All funds raised go direct to Tajikistan where they are used carefully and properly for the benefit of the community. SWORDE-Teppa’s enthusiastic national staff in Tajikistan are given the opportunity to develop their skills for the benefit of themselves and the community. Many of these staff are also volunteers."
Charity rally
A charity rally is a charitable event in which participants usually drive, ride or otherwise participate in through the medium of motorised wheeled transportation in an event to raise money for a charitable cause.- Fundraising Model :...
that begins in London, United Kingdom and finishes in the small city of Kurgan Tyube, Tajikistan. There has also been additional launch sites on the European continent for continental teams, although the official launch is from London. The Roof of the World Rally has been called arguably the most eccentric rally, due to its 'droll mission of promoting the drinking of tea across the globe'.
Event Information
Vehicle rules for taking part are limited to taking Left Hand Drive vehicles if they are to be donated at the end of the Rally. There is no vehicle age limit or car model restrictions, although the Rally does offer some guidelines as to recommended vehicles.The Roof of the World Rally fits into the categories of banger rallies and charity rallies. These type events are vehicle rallies but participants are not allowed to race - as a legal requirement. There is also no on the road support. Teams are self reliant. The purpose of the rally is for adventure, travel and also to promote positive cultural interactions, hence the extra element of tea.
The Roof of The World Rally is organised by Go Help, a UK registered charity run primarily by volunteers. Go Help runs Charity Rallies, which include the Mongolia Rally, the Roof of the World Rally and the latest addition in 2010 of the Tuk Tuk Challenge.
Currently the Roof of the World Rally is one of only a handful of long distance endurance 'every-man' type rallies. Similar long distance rallies can include the Mongol Rally
Mongol Rally
The Mongol Rally is a car rally that begins in Europe and ends in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. The principal launch is from Goodwood Circuit, United Kingdom, with subsidiary starting points in other European countries. It is described as the "greatest adventure in the world"...
, Mongolia charity rally
Mongolia charity rally
The Mongolia Charity Rally is the charity rally from London to the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. The Mongolia Charity Rally is organised by Charity Rallies, part of Go Help, a UK based charity.- Adventure :...
, London Tashkent, Africa Rally and the original Rally Plymouth-Banjul Challenge. The Africa based rallies, usually running around December have relatively limited route choices and were hit hard in Dec 2009 due to the terrorism incidents in Mauritania. One of the strengths of the Roof of the World Rally is its appeal to potential participants of the Mongolia rallies. The large number of vehicles of dubious quality going to Mongolia has resulted in tighter import restrictions and this has meant that with an overlapping route the Roof of the World Rally is a clear alternative to the Mongolian destination rallies
Mongolia charity rally
The Mongolia Charity Rally is the charity rally from London to the capital of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar. The Mongolia Charity Rally is organised by Charity Rallies, part of Go Help, a UK based charity.- Adventure :...
.
History of the Event
The very first Roof of the World Rally launched in 2008 from Greenwich Park Tea Pavilion. There were 3 teams representing UK, Australia and Italy all of which raised funds for Sworde-Teppa in Tajikistan. 2 of the teams completed the Rally. The Rally originated and was run independently by Sophie Willingale and Ryan Walker.In 2009 The Rally organisers gave the Rally more structure by joining the non-profit Charity Rallies group. 8 teams launched from Greenwich Park Tea Pavilion and all 8 teams managed to complete the rally. In Kurgan-Tyube there was a finish ceremony honoring the teams in the city centre with speeches by Tajik Ministers and Government Authorities. Tajik TV, Embassy staff and Tajik musicians attended the ceremony and after party.
In 2010 the Roof of the World Rally launch to take place on 3 July from London and is still under the Charity Rallies banner.
Routes
The Rally has always launched in July. Teams can choose their own route to the finish. Routes tend to range somewhere between 5000 miles to 8000 miles, although some teams choose to do round trips back to the UK. There are four main possible routes and only a few ways into Tajikistan.The organisers recommend teams consider driving the Pamir Highway (M-41) driving into Tajikistan via Osh in Kyrgyzstan.
Tea
Teams are challenged to complete an 8000 mile charity rally, whilst socialising with everyone they meet along the way, with the help of TeaTea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
.
Tea is an important factor in the rally with challenges and competitions based on how well the teams distribute their given quota of tea stocks which are donated by sponsors of the Rally. Since the inauguration of the Rally it has been affiliated with the Tea Appreciation Society.
Entry Fee
The Roof of The World Charity Rally entry fee for 2010 is set at £300. The entry fee aims to cover the costs of running the event.All excess funds that are generated from entry fees are put back into developing the rally further or given to charity.
An early sign-up discount is run every year when sign-up first opens.
All for charity
The Roof of the World Rally is a non-profit event, organised by a charity and run to benefit charities.The Charity
The vehicles are driven out to Sworde-Teppa (The rallies nominated charity) and are donated to them, for them to sell to raise funds.Also teams are challenged to raise a sum of £750 for Sworde-Teppa and are asked to transport donated equipment from a wishlist to help improve the charities facilities.
Sworde-Teppa is substantially funded from the rally. The 2009 Rally raised in excess of £10,000 and has over the last few years funded the re-development of Sworde-Teppa's main building and gardens, Donated 4x4's and a minibus that is vital to reach school children who are unable to travel to school.
As part of the Rally, teams are encouraged to raise a minimum of £750 for Sworde-Teppa using a separate online donation system.
SWORDE-Teppa
SWORDE-Teppa is an international development organisation specialising in sustainable development projects in Tajikistan, the poorest country in central Asia.According to the charity:
"Using our specialist local knowledge, we run poverty reduction and improvement programmes which are wanted and needed by the community. We are located in Kurgan-Tyube, about 100 km south of the capital Dushanbe.
We are a registered charity (UK reg. no. 1100598) but have no HQ in the UK and all UK personnel are volunteers. All funds raised go direct to Tajikistan where they are used carefully and properly for the benefit of the community. SWORDE-Teppa’s enthusiastic national staff in Tajikistan are given the opportunity to develop their skills for the benefit of themselves and the community. Many of these staff are also volunteers."