A WORD OF ADVICE

And to sum up this incredible, often exhilarating, certain time disheartening, journey, a few words of advice for anyone doing the MongolRally2009 and beyond.

A) Get a Micra. Full stop. It might look small, maybe does not sounds right on paper (Mongolia on a Micra) but the little thing goes and goes. The people we met, and we are also talking of teams of 3, managed to finish the race with the original suspensions, without sump guards and on a great mileage per liter.

B) If, for other reasons, you prefer to use an old veteran like we did, avoid overspending on a complete overhual and concentrate on the few problematic areas: suspensions, suspensions and suspensions, raise the car and get a thick and wide sump guard. Another thing you might need is an extra head gasket or two, for you or other teams that you will meet along the way.

Pack light, as you will need minimal amount of clothes. A small bucket and a cloth line in the car will let you wash and dry everything in a few hours. Mongolia is really cold, it can get subzero at night even at the end of August, so make sure you have a few layers of thermal clothing (pants included) and a good wind-stopper.

Play dumb with policemen, speak only your own language or really fast (if English). If things get annoying, tell them you are calling your embassy. Other than that, be patient at borders – most will take half a day or more.

Plan your visas wisely, as we met more than one team either stuck in between borders or forced to backtrack to renew them – see our old post VISA VS VISA

But most important, have plenty of fun along the way, it is going to be memorable!