Old banger from West Hamptead to Croatia
FOUR friends gave TV s Top Gear presenters a run for their money by completing a shoe-string journey across Europe for charity, writes Szu Ping Chan. They took part in the Sucata Split challenge. Teams up to four drive a banger costing no more than �250
FOUR friends gave TV's Top Gear presenters a run for their money by completing a
shoe-string journey across Europe for charity, writes Szu Ping Chan.
They took part in the Sucata Split challenge. Teams up to four drive a banger costing no more than �250 to Split, in Croatia.
Calling themselves Bottom Gear, they squeezed into a J reg Rover nicknamed The Beast because it guzzled gas. They even dressed as the Top Gear characters.
The drive was in aid of charity Gemin-I, which inspires the young through its online software and the creation of a secure and safe online community.
Julian Carey, 28, of West End Lane, West Hampstead, was given the honorary title of Stig for the Bank holiday weekend trip. He said the challenge was tough.
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He said: "We tried to do everything on a budget.
"Unfortunately, our hi-fi broke as soon as we set off so there was a lot of singing, which wasn't very attractive. But we got another one."
Julian was joined by Tom Graham, 28, also of West End Lane, Jonathan Edwards, 28, and Alex McPherson, 29, together with around 35 other cars which included a team from Wembley Park.
One team drove a hearse to the starting line in Bruges, Belgium.
Julian said: "We just hoped the car would make it. It hadn't been driven for seven years and was pretty tired."
Their target was �1,000, but they raised more than �1,500 before starting the engine.
You can follow the foursome's journey at teambottomgear on Twitter, where details on how to donate can also be found.
