OUR annual madcap European rally that is Bangers4Ben is getting ever nearer – and if you don’t want to miss out on the event that really puts the fun into fundraising there are still a few places available.

It’s taking place from Saturday, October 5 to Tuesday, October 8 and this year it’ll be going deep into France’s cheese and wine regions.

The 2018 Bangers4Ben posse assemble

Organised by Car Dealer Magazine in partnership with motor industry charity Ben, the rally is now in its 11th year. The aim of the game is to buy a banger for less than £750, ‘decorate’ it (while remaining road-legal of course), sort out some fancy dress, drive your banger on our four-day excursion and – once the cars have hopefully returned home – sell it at auction. (Don’t worry – there’s back-up if your banger breaks down en route!)

Our teams are also encouraged to do their own charity fundraising to help us beat our record result of £56,000.

Here’s how it’ll roll this year…

Day 1: Saturday, October 5 – Dover to Le Mans
You’ll be taking the 8.25am ferry from Dover to Calais, from where you’ll make your way through beautiful countryside and winding roads to the motorsport city Le Mans, made famous by the iconic 24-hour race. Here, you can choose to drive public stretches of the endurance race circuit, including the famous Mulsanne Straight, and visit the circuit’s fantastic museum of racing cars and memorabilia.

Day 2: Sunday, October 6 – Le Mans to Bordeaux
On day two we have a relatively short – for Bangers – jaunt down to Bordeaux, where we’ll be settling down for some wine tasting and nibbles in the city centre between Parliament Square and Saint Pierre Square.

Day 3: Monday, October 7 – Bordeaux to Nantes
From Bordeaux the journey north begins, taking in some of the beautiful French coastal roads and countryside. The route heads to the tiny island of Ile d’Oléron in the Atlantic, accessed only by a nearly-3km road bridge, before stopping for the night in Nantes.

Day 4: Tuesday, October 8 – Home time!
The final stint from Nantes, returning to Calais for a short crossing home, which will see you back in Dover at 5.55pm local time.

The cost of entry for each two-person team is £650 plus VAT. This covers the crossings, twin accommodation, breakfast, evening meal and AA roadside assistance.

To add to the fun, there will be prizes for the best fancy dress, best themed car and best tweet. There’ll also be a trophy for whoever makes the most profit at auction with their car – so make sure you buy your vehicle at the best possible price!

This year it’s all about the good life, so find that banger, get the roof down and join us for a four-day cultural extravaganza as only Bangers4Ben can do.

The funds raised will help Ben in its work to provide support and care services for people within the automotive industry and for their families.

HERE’S WHERE TO SIGN UP!

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