 Remember the original London-Sydney Marathon of 1968? Scotsman Andrew Cowan won it in a Hillman Hunter. It was history-making stuff, 98 cars set off from London to drive half way around the world, 56 of them survived to see the famous Opera House.
The London-Sydney Marathon is an icon event - it's the event that needs no explanation. It's the mother and father of long distance adventure rallies. What made it special in 1968 was that all 98 cars taking part were showroom cars of the day.
In 2004 we celebrate the Spirit of '68 by running the event for today's showroom cars. You can do what Andrew Cowan did 36 years ago - take any car up to 2-litres (no 4wd, no turbo) and come on the definitive adventure marathon rally.
In '68 Paddy Hopkirk was second in an Austin 1800, third place went to Australian Ian Vaughan in a Ford Falcon. In 2004 what will be their modern equivalent? Holden Astra, a Ford Focus, VW Golf, BMW, Honda, Peugeot 306, Proton Satria... the list is endless, the choice is yours
THE ROUTE
It's a Long Distance Rally with closed road special stages timed to the second. Daily distances are between 400 - 600 kms with two, sometimes three, demanding stages, anything from 10 to 40 kms long.
The European leg crosses the channel from its London start and winds through rural France, over the Alps to pick up some of the famous World Championship San Remo rally stages. Then down the leg of Italy along part of the legendary Mille Miglia route and then an overnight boat across the Adriatic to Greece to tackle stages from the Acropolis Rally. From there to Turkey, down the Gallipoli peninsula and across the Dardanelles and then an airlift from Ankara where a pair of giant Russian Antonov cargo planes lift the entire entry to Cochin in India.
 The Indian leg is six days in the relative cool of the hill country amongst tea and coffee plantations. Overnight stops in smaller towns away from the hurly burly of major cities, the region is redolent of the distant days of the Raj and there's time to visit the famous Maharajas' palace at Mysore. Another Antonov airlift moves the cars to Australia while a chartered passenger plane lifts the competitors.
The Australian leg starts in the heart of the "Red Centre" at Alice Springs. This is Outback Australia at its romantic best. We start with an overnight stop at Ayers Rock where at sunset the rock is said to change colour seven times. Through remote and eerily quiet privately owned properties which are measured in square miles, the owners wouldn't know what an acre or a hectare was if you offered them one!
To Coober Pedy, the Opal mining centre, where some of the hotels are underground to escape the fierce heat of the summer. Don't worry, June is the cool time. And from here we're into real Outback country across the Sturt and Stony Desert to the first of our own specially built Marathon Camps under canvas.
 Why under canvas? Simple. In the real Outback there are no hotels. So we've created our own camps. We follow famous stock routes along which years ago cattle drovers moved herds of a thousand head from the Northern Territory down to the slaughter yards of South Australia. Stop for a drink at the most famous of all Outback pubs, the Birdsville Hotel. On to our second night under canvas at Windora where we leave the bright red soil and head towards Brisbane and the lush green of the coast. The coastal run takes us through banana and sugar plantations to the finish, and that spectacular view of the world's most famous Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Everyone who makes it to the finish will be entitled to feel as thrilled as Andrew Cowan did 36 years ago.
WHAT CARS CAN TAKE PART ?
The London-Sydney Marathon 2004 is two events in one:
The Rally has two categories. One for modern showroom cars up to 2-litres (no 4wd, no turbos) and one for pre-1978 Classics. Cars must comply with FIA regulations and a Competition licence is required.
The Clowes Cup is designed for those who don't have a competition licence but enjoy the challenge of some spirited driving without going flat out. It's a Regularity competition where competitors try to attain a set average speed over demanding roads - both tarmac and gravel. Any sensible and suitable car is eligible from a Classic to a 4x4.
CAN FIRST TIMERS TAKE PART ?
 Yes, on all of our events over 15% of the entry are first timers. Determination and common sense is all that's needed. There's great camaraderie, old hands make newcomers welcome and our team of Redshirt officials is there to give help and guidance.
If you need to apply for a competition licence we can help you with that and provide all the information you'll need to prepare your car to comply with the regulations and for the rigours of the journey.
WHAT DOES IT COST ?
 The entry fee is US$ 38,000 for the Rally and US$ 36,000 for the Clowes Cup and includes : shipping your car in a 40ft container from Sydney to London, two economy class air tickets from Sydney to London, airlifts for you and your car from Turkey to India and India to Australia, all sea ferries, a twin-share hotel room with breakfast every night of the of the event, personal accident and medical insurance for two crew members, 2 tickets for the Welcome Dinner in London and the Awards Dinner in Sydney, two packs of event clothing and a whole lot more.
THE EVENT DATES
Starts in London on June 5th and finishes in Sydney July 4th, 2004
|
