Budapest-Bamako

The Budapest-Bamako or Great African Run is now the world's largest trans-Saharan rally and the biggest charity car race in Africa. The B2 is a low budget version of the Dakar Rally that goes from Budapest to Bamako through the Sahara. It passes through Hungary, Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, 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, 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 100 teams entered the race. Only 10 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.

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 don't have to arrive at the finish line, just participants. Teams can participate in racing or touring categories.

The Future of the rally

In 2009 the racing and the touring categories will be completely separated. The race will be more professionally organized. There will be stricter time controls and tracking along the race route that will feature some extremely hard stages. The Budapest-Bamako racing category is expected to become the heir to the Dakar Rally in Africa.

The touring category is promised to be lighter and simpler. Teams in the touring category will enjoy 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.

Route

The race goes though the following countries (in start-finish order):

* Hungary
* Austria or flagicon|Croatia Croatia
* Italy
* France
* Spain
* Morocco
* Mauritania
* Mali

Nearly 8,000 kilometers are covered within 15 days. The race starts in the 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.

The team that performs the most outstanding charity work receives the Mother Teresa Charity Award.

External links

* [http://www.budapestbamako.org/en Budapest-Bamako Great African Run] official web site
* [http://www.caboodle.hu/nc/news/news_archive/single_page/article/11/thrills_lau/?tx_ttnews%5Bswords%5D=budapest-bamako&cHash=9605e5f9b1 Article about the 2005 Run]
* [http://www.budapesttimes.hu/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=74&Itemid=194] Daily reports from the 2008 run