A man from Thorney hopes the modified car he bought as a £750 rust bucket
will help him and three friends complete a mammoth 10,000 mile charity car ride
to Mongolia.

Ben Knight (25), from Ash Close, Thorney, decided to go on the Mongol Rally
2012 after a drunken conversation with colleagues from market research company
Millward Brown.

They will make up one of around 400 cars from the UK travelling on the route
between July and the end of August.

He will spend the six weeks crammed into a Peugeot 206 estate bought from
south London with colleagues Tom Shadbolt, Tristan Briggs and Edu Aguado – or
as they are now known, Team Leamongols.

They will be taking part in the Mongol Rally 2012 along with around 400
other cars from the United Kingdom.

When the Team Leamongols members drove the vehicle back from the garage it
had incorrectly fitted tires and indicators that couldn’t be turned off.

However, Eye Car Care and the Sign Team, in Thorney, have helped transform
it into a barely recognisable, brand spanking new vehicle that will even
include a cartoon drawing of the four brave souls undertaking the mission.

They will set off on Friday, July 13, and will travel through 17 countries
(including two ferry trips) before arriving in Mongolia.

Ben said: “I’m really excited about it – it should be a great adventure.

“When we bought the car it had loads of issues. It would never have passed
an MOT, let alone got us to Mongolia.

“But Eye Car Care and The Sign Team have helped us out and not asked for a
penny in return.

“They put their full weight behind us. They took the car, bought parts for
it, raised the suspension – everything they could to help us out really.

“Then the Sign Team, who specialise in car graphics, took the outside of the
car and wrapped it up in sponsorship and stickers. They are even going to put
charicatures of us onto it.

“Without their help, we 100 per cent would not be able to be in the position
we are now.”

The companies helped out because the challenge is being done to raise money
for charities.

Ben’s car will be collecting donations for Cancer Research UK, Unicef and
the Lotus Children’s Charity – a cause that helps Mongolian youngsters.

They will also leave the car in the Asian country once they finish the
challenge.

Ben added: “The furthest I have ever driven before is to Scotland.

“A lot of the thrill of going is the adventure. We have got a route, but we
don’t want to plan it too much. We want to wing it to some extent

“My parents are quite worried, at first they were not that keen on me doing
it.

“I’m sure we’ll come back with some stories to tell.”

The only check points between the start in London and the end in Mongolia is
a Mongol Rally 2012 party taking place in the Czech Republic.

After the group reach their destination, the other three will return by
plane to the UK but Ben’s adventures will not be over.

He added: ““I have quit my job and I am going to go travelling afterwards.

“I’m not sure where I’ll end up – I’m going to be a man without a plan.”

By Matthew Reville

http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk