Kendrew Barracks soldiers take on Mongol Rally

Soldiers from 7 Regiment RLC are gearing themselves up for the adventure of a lifetime - a 10,000-mile road trip from London to Russia driving two 15-year-old Suzuki Swift vehicles.

The team of six from Kendrew Barracks in Cottesmore will set off as part of the Mongol Rally today (Sunday).

Billed as the greatest motoring adventure on the planet, the rally is an annual event that challenges drivers to race from the UK across Europe and the Middle East finishing in the Siberian town of Ulan Ude, Russia.

The rally has three simple rules. The vehicle engine should be no larger than a 1.2 litre, the competitors are completely on their own and they should not expect support if things go wrong. The final rule is all entrants have to raise £1,000 for charity.

The soldiers have been preparing for the rally for the past four months. Visas have had to be organised, routes planned and the cars purchased.

The team, which has called themselves ‘Where Eagles Dare’ plan to head to Europe by ferry, landing in Calais, France. They will then travel across Europe including Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. The journey will see them continue through Poland, Lithuania and Latvia before arriving in Russia by no later than August 22.

The team includes three car mechanics and a logistic specialist. They will drive in convoy with three soldiers in each car, which is painted in the regimental colours. The cars both have 90,000 miles on their clocks.