The world is full of amazing driving events. As a tool for exploration and freedom, the car is second to none, and for many years now people have been using this fact to its absolute limit – testing both man and machine’s limits in far away lands.

This article looks at driving events, head on, so to speak. We will tackle the issue of what driving event you should choose, why, and what you’ll need to enter.

Mongol Rally

The Mongol Rally is one of the most famous, and most popular, of its type in the world. Racing from Europe to Asia over 10,000 miles of some of the most treacherous terrain in the world, the rally does have some caveats – you have to do it in a stupidly cheap car, you have to raise money for charity and you are pretty much on your own. It’s hard work, and you’ll need to brush up on your mechanic skills, but it is one of the most rewarding journeys on the planet.

http://www.theadventurists.com/mongol-rally

The Rickshaw Run

A team of people appropriately named ‘The Adventurists’, the same people behind the Mongol Rally, have also created the Rickshaw Run, a manic scrabble across the sub-contintent in a three-wheeled lawnmower. What could possibly go wrong? It’s a 3500km trek on some of the most dangerous vehicles in the world, on some of the most dangerous roads in the world. Prepare for adventure.

Ramshackle Rally

One of the major ‘banger rallies’ you can take part in – the Ramshackle Rally takes place at a number of different locations – you can choose from a range of European driving adventures from the relatively gentle to the compariably demanding. Find out more on their site.

http://www.ramshacklerally.com

Gumball 3000

The Gumball 3000 is a driving event like no other. The Gumball is a lifestyle choice in a way no other driving adventures are – started in 1999, it is a transatlantic route starting in Miami and passing through New York, Edinburgh, London, Paris, Barcelona and down to Ibiza. Known for its exotic cars and rich celebrity drivers, the Gumball 3000 is a driving event you want to be a part of in terms of being a spectator. The entry fee is equivalent to nearly 75,000 AUD!

http://www.gumball3000.com

Dakar Rally

In terms of real, physical driving adventure, the Dakar Rally is about as tough as it gets – both for amateur participants and professional entries. Make no mistake, this is nothing like the other driving adventures on this list, and you’ll have to have a fair bit of financial backing behind you.  But, it’s one of the most physically and mentally demanding rallies out there, and the prizes for the winners are significant.