Sheffield to Prague - 2006

I Ain't Gettin' on No Plane, fool!

2006-08-14T14:40:00.000Z

It's official - we are now driving the Jag back to the steel city after the rally. The original plan was to scrap the car and fly back from Prague. But, we thought we'd make the most of our trip and give ourselves another challenge. We might even get a few quid for the Jag when we get home.

The direct route from Prague back to Calais is about 650 miles so we should be able to do this in a day and a half. Subject to the car holding out. It takes the mileage to about 2500 in 6 days.

Our vessel

2006-08-12T13:02:00.000Z

The Kennel
Originally we were kindly donated a Rover 400. With a youthful 140,000 miles on the clock, featuring a slight left hand lean and a wonderful ground in dog odor we thought this beauty (nicknamed the Kennel) was the machine to uneventfully carry us the 1700 miles to eastern Europe. However, the marriage wasn't meant to be and after some severe engine problems we decided it was time to search for something else.

The eagle has landed
Ok, I'd like to present our nearly new 1989 Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign. This truly is a slice of modern British automotive heritage. With a 4.0 litre straight 6 engine, automatic transmission with the token sport button, full cream leather interior and mahogany dash this car is an event everytime you get in and start it up.

It needs a little TLC around the edges but all in all we've got a great deal of car for our money.... £100 from Ebay.

Click the thumbnails below to see the monster in it's full glory.

First post

2006-08-08T12:25:00.000Z

Well - I suppose we should start by explaining what this is all about.

On August 31st 2006 we will be taking part in the Czechwrecks 2006 rally. When I say we, I mean me (Tom Jordan), Matt Jackson and Sam Commins.

Czechwrecks is a European banger rally. The rules are quite simple. We must travel from Calais to Prague over 4 days in a car worth less than Â£100. Various challenges are set throughout the rally and points are accumulated. The team with the most points at the end of the rally is deemed the winner and receives a Â£1000 prize. Such awards include, the team to hitch hike the furthest, the best bodge job and various other observational challenges along the way.
It's as easy as that...

If you listened in Geography classes then you'll know that Calais to Prague isn't really a great distance in the scheme of things. So we will be taking the scenic route. We pass through France (Obviously), Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Germany and then on day four arrive in the Czech Republic. Hopefully on four wheels and with our pride intact... Total distance is around 1700 miles. To spice things up a little we go over the Stelvio pass, this is one of the highest mountain passes in Europe with something ridiculousus like 90 hairpin bends each in succession.

Click the thumbnail for the route: