Expedition News

Glue, Putty and Sticky-Back Plastic!

The Max Adventure team spent a day with the British Army's top vehicle mechanics who taught them how to keep their Land Rovers on the road during the London to Cape Town record attempt. With time of the essence, space at a premium and with no back-up, the team need to be able to deal with any mechanical problem they may encounter during the 10,000 mile run. Carrying unlimited spares is unrealistic, so the solution is to use improvised repair techniques.

The British Army call this particular type of repair technique 'Battle Damage Repair' or BDR. In the civilian world it's known as 'Bush Mechnics', making do with whatever you have at hand to keep the vehicles moving. In a military situation this could mean the difference between life and death and although the team's journey to Cape Town won't necessarily be that critical, it could mean the difference between success and failure.

The day was arranged by the Senior BDR Instructor, Staff Sergeant Chris McKenzie, along with four of his fellow instructors and representatives from 3M and Loctite who produce products that can fix a range of problems. Many of you will have heard of such tricks as using tights to replace a broken fanbelt, or crack an egg into the radiator to seal a hole, but in reality this won't really happen. Bumping along a dirt road for hundreds of miles would shatter any eggs carried, so expeditions tend not to take them and any woman on the team is unlikely to have packed her best hosiery! If it's an all-male expedition........well, say no more! Full article >

Pentagon Glass sponsor London to Cape Town

Pentagon Glass, the UK's leading specialists in car window tinting, have kindly offered to sponsor the London to Cape Town record attempt.

The team's two Land Rover Discoverys will be fitted with Limousine tints, the darkest shade available, to the rear sides and back windows at their Reading branch. This will provide darker and cooler environments for the rear passengers whilst they rest during the 10,000 mile journey.

Pentagon Glass are widely regarded as the finest car window tinting specialists in the world.
They represent the pinnacle in their industry, providing the ultimate standard in car window tinting and award winning SupaGlass to a wide range of discerning customers. Full article >

British Army offer training to Max Adventure team

Instructors from the British Army's REME Battle Damage Repair (BDR) school have offered to train the Max Adventure team in the skills of Improvised Vehicle Repairs.

If far from help following a breakdown and with the clock ticking, there are many tips and techniques that can be employed to get a vehicle moving again.

Soldiers from the Royal Electrical and Mechnical Engineers are taught to keep the Army moving at all cost, especially in hostile environments. If under fire, there is no time to carry out a proper repair, a makeshift one will do until the vehicle and crew are in a safe area. Full article >

Prepare 2 Go take up the challenge

Fellow expedition logistics company Prepare 2 Go, led by former Army pilot Sam Rutherford contacted Max Adventure to say that they too were planning an attempt at the London to Cape Town record:

Hi Mac,
Just thought I’d let you know that we’re contemplating an attempt on the record as well!
So, I wish you good luck, but please don’t beat it by too much! Our attempt will probably be in 2011.
Safe travels, Sam.
PS if you guys fancy an overnight, some beers etc. on your way through – then let me know – we can make a great, long, night, followed by a late departure!

Mac and Sam know each other through the Royal Geographical Society where they have both chaired the 'Vehicle Dependent Workshop' at the annual 'Explore' weekend. Full article >

Mac's brother Steve joins team

Due to increased work commitments, team medic and RAF doctor, Andy Grieve will be unable to join the team on their London to Cape Town record attempt. It was disappointing news for the team that Andy cannot take part in the 10,000 mile high-speed run across Africa, but his skills as a military doctor are in great demand at the moment. They wish him well and look forwrd to him joining them on future expeditions.

Mac's brother, Steve, will replace Andy as the 3rd driver in the lead car. As an ex-Army driving specialist, Steve worked with team mechanic Jim in the same military unit, so was the obvious choice. Having led vehicle expeditions into the Arctic and Sahara, he is well versed in what is required for this record attempt.

Steve is a skilled navigator and Land Rover mechanic and brings a wealth of experienmce to the team. He is a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and has licences to drive vehicles ranging from motorbikes to 100-ton tank transporters.

'Surviving Adventure' with Prometheus Medical

Over the weekend of the 19th & 20th September, members of the Max Adventure team who will be undertaking the London to Cape Town record attempt were put through an intensive First Aid training course by Prometheus Medical.

The 6-man team, including the UK Operations Manager, Steve Holland, who stood in for Chris Rawlings, met at Prometheus Medical's head office in the beautiful countryside of Herefordshire, just north of Hereford itself. Their MD, Dr. Malcolm Russell is a former member of the British Army, having served with both regular and Special Forces units. His direction regarding the courses they offer comes from many years of experience in the most gruelling and demanding parts of the world, on both civilian and military operations.

The Surviving Adventure course that the team undertook had been designed to give them the confidence and understanding of how to manage an emergency medical situation when they will be travelling off the beaten track or in a remote area. The course, ran over two days, gave the team a real understanding of how to react to and manage a medical emergency. Full article >

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Max Adventure's London to Cape Town record attempt in support of Help for Heroes - help us to help our wounded.

In aid of Help for Heroes, supporting the wounded from current conflicts. Full article >

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