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Couple battle in old banger race Couple battle in old banger race
(about 2 hours later)
A couple will race head-to-head as they travel 4,000 miles to Gambia in cars they have saved from the scrapheap.A couple will race head-to-head as they travel 4,000 miles to Gambia in cars they have saved from the scrapheap.
Builder Adrian Lort-Phillips, 35, from Pembrokeshire, had entered the Plymouth-Banjul Challenge despite his wife Rachel, 36, expressing concern. Adrian Lort-Phillips, from Pembrokeshire, entered the Plymouth-Banjul Challenge despite his wife Rachel Hicks expressing concern.
But he later learned she had secretly also signed up for the charity event securing an old Range Rover, formerly used as a chicken coop, for her ride.But he later learned she had secretly also signed up for the charity event securing an old Range Rover, formerly used as a chicken coop, for her ride.
Their journey to Banjul, the Gambian capital, may take up to 24 days.Their journey to Banjul, the Gambian capital, may take up to 24 days.
When they reach their destination, the vehicles will be auctioned off to raise money for local causes such as businesses and schools.When they reach their destination, the vehicles will be auctioned off to raise money for local causes such as businesses and schools.
The cars will also be donated for use by local people and the competitors will fly home.The cars will also be donated for use by local people and the competitors will fly home.
The couple are starting their journey from their home in Lawrenny before driving to Plymouth, where they will take the ferry to France.The couple are starting their journey from their home in Lawrenny before driving to Plymouth, where they will take the ferry to France.
If he gets in any scrapes he'll probably call for help like he usually does! Rachel Lort-Phillips If he gets in any scrapes he'll probably call for help like he usually does! Rachel Hicks
After driving to Spain, they will continue on to Morocco and places including Mauretania and Senegal and across the Sahara desert before reaching Gambia.After driving to Spain, they will continue on to Morocco and places including Mauretania and Senegal and across the Sahara desert before reaching Gambia.
When Mr Lort-Phillips, who is driving a Jeep Cherokee Wagon, entered the race in the summer he believed he was doing so against his wife's wishes. When Mr Lort-Phillips, 35, who is driving a Jeep Cherokee Wagon, entered the race in the summer he believed he was doing so against his wife's wishes.
But weeks later he discovered she had also secretly bought a wreck and entered the challenge herself.But weeks later he discovered she had also secretly bought a wreck and entered the challenge herself.
He recalled: "I had a call from my co-driver. He said he thought there was a mistake on the lists and that somehow my name had been entered twice.He recalled: "I had a call from my co-driver. He said he thought there was a mistake on the lists and that somehow my name had been entered twice.
"But when I saw the name and the listed co-driver I realised I'd been out-manoeuvred.""But when I saw the name and the listed co-driver I realised I'd been out-manoeuvred."
Fierce rivalryFierce rivalry
Mr Lort-Phillips then found photographs of an old Range Rover on his computer and his wife admitted she and a friend had been plotting for weeks.Mr Lort-Phillips then found photographs of an old Range Rover on his computer and his wife admitted she and a friend had been plotting for weeks.
One of the rules of the race is that the cars must cost less than £100.One of the rules of the race is that the cars must cost less than £100.
Mrs Lort-Phillips also roped in some extra help from the motor vehicle students at Pembrokeshire College, who have been preparing the Range Rover for its epic journey. Ms Hicks, 36, also roped in some extra help from the motor vehicle students at Pembrokeshire College, who have been preparing the Range Rover for its epic journey.
She said: "They dragged it out of the barn where it was being used as a chicken coop. For three months, they've been doing it up."She said: "They dragged it out of the barn where it was being used as a chicken coop. For three months, they've been doing it up."
Rivalry between the couple has become fierce and both have kept their preparations a closely guarded secret, including the route they plan to take.Rivalry between the couple has become fierce and both have kept their preparations a closely guarded secret, including the route they plan to take.
Among the potential challenges they face are inhospitable desert and even minefields.Among the potential challenges they face are inhospitable desert and even minefields.
Mrs Lort-Phillips, who is chief executive of Pembrokeshire Tourism, said: "Adrian wanted to have the adventure for himself, so why shouldn't I be able to do it?" Ms Hicks, who is chief executive of Pembrokeshire Tourism, said: "Adrian wanted to have the adventure for himself, so why shouldn't I be able to do it?"
"If he gets in any scrapes he'll probably call for help like he usually does!""If he gets in any scrapes he'll probably call for help like he usually does!"
More than 200 vehicles from around the world will take part in this year's challenge and more than £100,000 is expected to be raised for charity.More than 200 vehicles from around the world will take part in this year's challenge and more than £100,000 is expected to be raised for charity.