Every January since 1979 the world’s best off-road drivers have gathered in France for the start of the most grueling off road endurance race known to man. Driving vehicles straight out of a Speed Racer cartoon, the cast of international adventurers set off on an epic journey covering nearly 6,000 miles of the most grueling, gut pounding, neck wrenching, character testing terrain on Earth…

The granddaddy of all desert races, the legendary Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 is North America’s best known off road race attracting adventurers from around the world. Only half of the racers will finish this incredible test of endurance where mechanical failures and vehicle flip-overs are all part of the ride.

First the crazed minds at The Adventurists brought you the Mongol Rally, now in their second offering they’ve upped the sillyness factor with The Rickshaw Run. This “race” pits you and your 7 horsepower, three wheeled Auto Rickshaw against thousands of miles of terrible roads, jungles, deserts, monsoons and every thing else the Indian subcontinent can throw in your face. Not a very fair match if you ask me!

The Mongol Rally is not as much a race as it is a framework for guaranteed Adventure. There are no prizes, no time limits, no support crews, no set courses and hardly any rules. So what’s the point? The mad adventure geniuses at the Adventurists (the event’s organizers) sum up the Rally’s philosophy quite eloquently…

The Land Rover G4 Challenge is a grueling, global adventure competition that takes place biannually in some of the world’s most spectacular urban and wilderness locations. The event combines off-road driving with outdoor activities such as mountain biking, kayaking, climbing, orienteering and rappelling. Participants compete in tests of physical fitness, initiative, strategic thinking and technical driving skills.

Imagine 10 days of pure hell. During the day you trek, non-stop, thru rugged desert terrain. It’s 110 degrees and the shredded blisters on your blood soaked feet make every step feel like walking on hot coals. At night temperatures plummet near freezing and you’re lucky to get 2 hours sleep; you still have to navigate your way up and over a mountain pass to reach the kayak that will whisk you thru 20 miles of treacherous class-five rapids.