some info about the rallye

RALLYE AICHA des GAZELLES

MARCH 2012

This is the first female rally in the world, created over 20 years ago. It lasts 10 days, 8 of which in the Moroccan desert. It’s not a question of going fast but of taking the shortest way possible, without GPS, the old fashioned way with a compass and a map. When our 4x4 will get stuck in the sand, we’ll get the shovel out and helped by other “Gazelles”, we’ll dig ourselves out.

Because the main values of the rally are commitment, audacity, determination, courage , generosity and solidarity.

We like that, Jamila and I. We are not professional rally drivers, we are normal women . We just want to challenge ourselves and at the same time bring humanitarian aid to the villages the rallye drives past. We have been successful at challenges in the past : I climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro which at nearly 5900m is the highest mountain in Africa. Both Jamila and I have put together a team of all ages (the oldest member was 75) to go to the top of Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa (4100m), to help raise money for the British Moroccan Society.


Also this is a responsible rallye : it won the ISO 14001 certification because carbon dioxide emissions are kept to a minimum ( again, speed doesn’t matter, to win the teams must drive the shortest distance).  Also part of the profits are redistributed through a charitable foundation called “heart of Gazelles”. It’s an event that respects the local population and the local environment.


But before we set off anywhere, we must find sponsorship. That's part of the challenge and the fun. Today I spoke to Alex Gambal, an incredible winemaker in Burgundy.
I don't know if he'll sponsor us, that was my first "sales pitch". It certainly helped me to focus on what we want to achieve.


Went to the gym this morning. Lasted 30mn. Must do better!