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The Budapest-Bamako or Great African Run is now the world's largest trans-Saharan Rally raid off-road racing and the biggest charity car race in Africa. The Budapest-Bamako is a low budget version of the Dakar Rally and goes from Budapest to Bamako through the Sahara. It passes through Hungary, Austria (or Slovenia), Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Mali. The Budapest-Bamako was inspired by the Paris Dakar Rally. It promises a sense of adventure and the romance of Africa, much like the Paris-Dakar did in its early days. There are no entry restrictions. As long as a vehicle is street legal, it can join the event. The B2 also raises money for local charities in Mali.
History
The event is the brainchild of Hungarian internet entrepreneur and former radio "shock jock" Géza Villám (his real name is András Szabó Gál) who wanted to give rally fans an option to the more expensive and stricter Dakar rally. He found no cheaper and more comfortable alternative to the Dakar so he created his own. After first envisioning a direct drive through the Sahara in Tunisia, Libya, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mali he opted for a safer and more scenic route around the Western rim of Africa.
On 26 December 2005, forty-two teams lined up in Budapest's Hősök tere (meaning Heroes' Square in English) for the inaugural run of the Budapest-Bamako. Two weeks later all but two teams arrived in Bamako's Place des Heroes (also meaning Heroes' Square in English). In 2007, over a hundred teams entered the race. Only ten of them did not cross the finish line.
In 2008, over 400 people in 160 vehicles entered the Great African Run. Among the more unusual vehicles was a 1961 Velorex, an Ikarus 435 articulated bus, an ice cream truck, a Dacia, a Wartburg and a Polish Fiat 126 driven by two Brits. The 2008 run started amid security fears a week after the cancellation of the Dakar Rally. Several French and Spanish teams dropped out of the Bamako citing fears of terror in Mauritania. The run was completed without a hitch. The Mauritanian government assigned thousands of military and police officers to guard the event.
In 2009, the racing and the touring categories were completely separated. The race featured a lot more demanding course. There were stricter time controls and more sophisticated geo-challenges.
The touring category was lighter and simpler than in previous years. Teams in the touring category enjoyed events like the Annual Star Wars Theme Party on Planet Tatooine in Morocco, the Tropic Of Cancer Party or the B2 Big Beach Party in Mauritania on a virgin beach, that has been named B2 Beach.
In 2010 the inaugural Cape Town Challenge will be held in conjunction with the Budapest-Bamako. The more adventurous participants of the rally can continue driving further south in Africa. Cars have four weeks to drive from Budapest to Cape Town in South Africa via Bamako.
Philosophy and rules
The guiding principle of the Budapest-Bamako is: Anyone, By Anything, In Any Way. There are no restrictions on the vehicles or individuals that can enter. There are no road restrictions either. Participants have to complete daily stages between Budapest and Bamako. There are no set routes. Racers can plan and optimize their own route. It is not a timed event. Points are awarded for completing daily stages in certain time periods. In addition there are geocaching challenges along the way for additional points. If a team doesn't complete a stage they are still in the race. Cars do not have to arrive at the finish line, just participants. Teams can participate in racing or touring categories.
Route
The race goes though the following countries (in start-finish order):
Nearly 8,000 kilometers are covered within 15 days. The race starts in Budapest, the Hungarian capital and ends in Bamako, the capital of Mali.
Charity
The Budapest–Bamako is primarily a charity event, that brings direct donations to communities in Mali and Mauritania. Many teams are delegated by firms as part of the corporate social responsibility program. In 2008, Budapest Bank donated an ambulance car after it was driven from Budapest to Bamako. The Bayer Red Cross donated a minivan for the Institute for the Blind in Bamako after it was driven from Europe.
- In 2005, money was raised for a Bamako orphanage.
- In 2007, participants adopted villages on route and delivered supplies to that community.
- In 2008, teams dug a well in the village of El Geddiya, donated medical equipment to a free clinic in a Bamako slum, including sterilization equipment and an incubator. Further educational gifts were given to schools in several Bamako districts.
- In 2009 over 700,000 Euros worth of aid was delivered to Africa. The British, Green Knights brough solar panels and solar ovens to several Malian villages. A Dutch women's team delivered 230 bicycles to an organization called, Women on Bikes. The NGO teaches women to ride bicycles so they can get jobs away from their villages.
The team that performs the most outstanding charity work receives the Mother Teresa Charity Award.
Television Coverage
Since 2007 British cable and satellite broadcaster, Travel Channel airs the Budapest To Bamako series. Since 2008 the channel sends viewers to participate in the rally. In 2009 the series grew to five parts and followed the trials and tribulations of an all men and an all women team along the rally.
See also
External links
- Budapest-Bamako Great African Run official website Template:En icon
- Article about the 2005 Run
- Budapest-Bamako Great African Run official live broadcasting
- 2009 Rally-Videos at Dailymotion
- Daily reports from the 2008 run
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