On the road with the GARD'LE CAP 4L TROPHY team (part 2)

How are you preparing for the raid?

Alexis - In several stages. The first and crucial stage being to put together a sponsorship file to raise funds for our project. Which of course means drawing up a budget.

Louanne - I have to admit that the first few weeks were pretty intense. We gave ourselves 3 weeks to draw up the sponsorship file. We had to finish it as soon as possible to start looking for funding. We ate and slept 4L TROPHY!

And then we pre-registered to show our commitment to our future partners.

Louanne - We also had to create our visual identity and our social networks, the aim being to be visible and recognisable, in Uzès and around of course, but also in Montpellier and elsewhere. It's managing the social networks that's taking up most of my time, and keeping us busy at the moment.

Alexis - We've also started canvassing for sponsors and begun the search for our 4L, which we found fairly quickly.

The second stage is currently under way. It involves working out our budget, particularly in terms of mechanical aspects. When we dismantled the car, we obviously had a few surprises... But we want to set off with a car that is as reliable as possible. So we're working on prioritising our needs to meet this objective.

The third stage will be the purchase of parts and the reassembly of the car so that it can be driven in September. The raid is obviously very demanding from a mechanical point of view, and as I'm not in the south at the moment, I don't have much time to devote to it. However, we estimate that it will take around 15 days to prepare, with 3 or 4 days of work from time to time.

How will your journey be organised? Time management, minor repairs, driving... Have you had any training in mechanics, for example, or in survival or first aid?

Alexis - Our trip will last 15 days, with 2 days in Spain and 6 days in Morocco. Our mechanical training is provided by Louanne's father, who is accompanying us and advising us on this adventure.

Louanne - He's also there to prepare us for all the technical difficulties we might encounter in the desert...

Alexis - As for the rest, it's an orienteering rally, so we're in no hurry. The aim is to stick as closely as possible to the number of kilometres given in the roadbook each day and to arrive at the camp before nightfall. At the camp, we need to have a routine that will be guided by our 'To-do list', with routine mechanical checks, setting up the camp... The aim is to spend as little time as possible solving our problems and enjoying the atmosphere of the camp in the evening.

Louanne - We're both nature lovers and keen hikers, as well as being very resourceful. So the bivouac will be a formality! As far as first aid is concerned, it's true that we're not up to date with our training. However, we have the whole 4L Trophy team looking after us at all times. What's more, a complete first-aid kit is included in the list of compulsory equipment.

What meetings do you plan to organise during your trip? Do you plan to share your experience (meetings with the local population, presentation of your raid in schools on your return, etc.)?

Alexis - We haven't thought about that yet, but we're already going to share our adventure through our social networks and, why not, share the experience in schools or during days that we could organise with our partners.

Louanne - Yes, we're thinking of approaching a school that would follow us as we prepare for our trip. As for the meetings on site, we still have to submit an application to the Enfants du Désert association...

Many thanks to Alexis Monier and Louanne Reboux for their collaboration on this article and for the visuals sent.

To contact the GARD'LECAP 4LTROPHY: gardelecap@gmail.com, FB: Gard'le cap 4LTrophy, @Gardlecap_4LTROPHY.

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More information on the 4L TROPHY, from 15 to 25 February 2024.